In this Dec. 26, 2008 file photo, visitors look at the latest models of Toyota Motor Corp vehicles at its gallery in Tokyo. General Motors sold fewer cars globally than Toyota last year, as the Japanese automaker passed the Detroit company for the first time.

NEW YORK – General Motors sold fewer cars globally than Toyota last year, as the Japanese automaker passed the Detroit company for the first time.

GM says it sold 8.356 million cars and trucks in 2008, falling about 616,000 vehicles short of Toyota's total of 8.972 million.

General Motors Corp. posted an 11 percent drop for the year, while Toyota's sales fell 4 percent.

(Agencies)