Toyota's U.S. sales rise nearly 1%, closing gap with GM as hybrids gain popularity over EVs.

Toyota is set to report a nearly 1% increase in U.S. vehicle sales for the first half of the year, reaching 1.25 million units, while General Motors (GM) is expected to see a 7.2% decline to 1.33 million. Toyota's focus on hybrid vehicles, which are gaining consumer favor, contrasts with GM's heavy investment in all-electric vehicles that have seen slower adoption. This narrowing sales gap marks the closest competition since Toyota briefly topped GM in 2021 due to pandemic-related supply issues. Industry experts suggest Toyota could potentially overtake GM as the top U.S. automaker by year-end if current trends continue.