Recording a growth of 2.2 per cent in its sales from last year, Toyota has this year sold 4,817,941 units against GM's 4,540,409 units.
The Toyota figure, gathered on a preliminary basis, includes sales of motor vehicles made and sold by its group companies -- compact car manufacturer Daihatsu Motor Co and truck maker Hino Motors Ltd.
The company officials attributed the record to good sales in emerging economies such as China and Russia.
Toyota Motor Corp has been vying with GM for the title of the world's largest automaker.
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As for sales in January to March this year, Toyota seized top place on the global sales ranking list, eclipsing GM's sales by about 160,000 units.