
Time for ze Germans to put another feather in their hat.
The rolling thunder powerhouse that is VW (and now with Porsche in the stable, they're bigger than the Hulk) has become the world's largest automaker. By building 4.4 million cars to date in 2009. That's a lot, and it also happens to be 400,000 more than Toyota. Take that, Land of the Rising Sun.
Major reasons for the win are various cash-for-clunkers programs, Red China (a MEGA market for VW for a variety of reasons, including "tailor-made" products which are viewable in the gallery below), and Toyota's cutting back production due to drop in demand (suckers).
For a real analyst's take, grab yourself some fish and chips and head over to the Guardian.
Images: VW China