Toyota Remains World's Largest Automaker In 2015

Toyota sales fell by 0.8 percent worldwide last year, but the Japanese company still sold enough cars to retain its spot as the world's top automaker.

Toyota, along with its Hino Motors and Daihatsu Motor units, sold 10.15 million vehicles in 2015 and was the only automaker to eclipse the 10 million threshold.

Volkswagen was on pace to usurp Toyota's title in June, but the German automaker came under fire late in 2015 after the discovery that some 11 million diesel vehicles were equipped with software to manipulate emissions levels.

VW sales declined 2 percent to 9.9 million for the full year.

General Motors, meanwhile, sold 9.8 million cars around the world last year, a 0.2 percent increase compared to 2014.

Although U.S. auto sales were among the strongest on record, sales around the world were hindered by sluggish economies in China and Russia.

Analysts suggested that VW would not be in a position to challenge Toyota for the top spot again any time soon. In addition to the emissions scandal, Toyota is considering a complete purchase of Daihatsu. It currently owns 51 percent of its fellow Japanese automaker.