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General Motors slid to second place in 2021 auto sales, ceding first place to Toyota by approximately 100,000 units in a still-tumultuous Covid recovery market plagued by lingering supply chain issues. While many automakers are now in a position to start building cars again (with some even altering available options in order to build complete units), the chip shortage has already taken its toll, and getting units into customer hands remains a challenge. 

Toyota sold approximately 2.3 million cars in the U.S. in 2021, to GM's 2.2 million. GM's hardships were largely due to its inability to deliver bread-and-butter pickup trucks due to parts shortages. While assembly lines are moving again and GM dealers are starting to see the best inventory numbers since a year ago, the damage is already done. Despite a market aching for new trucks, GM moved about 64,000 fewer Silverados and 4,000 fewer Sierras than it did in lockdown-stricken 2020 because the parts just weren't there to build them. 

WASHINGTON — Japanese automaker Toyota Motor is poised to outsell General Motors in the United States in 2021, which would mark the first time the Detroit automaker has not led U.S. auto sales since 1931.

In the first nine months of 2021, Toyota sold 1.86 million vehicles in the United States compared with GM's 1.78 million, or just over 80,000 more vehicles. For all of 2020, GM's U.S. sales totaled 2.55 million, compared with Toyota's 2.11 million and Ford Motor's 2.04 million.

Mazda has been slow to announce updates for its 2022 model year vehicles, but the faucet is opening a little further. What's new and pricing information has finally been announced for the 2022 Mazda CX-30, including small-but-significant changes and additions to the lineup.

Chiefly, every CX-30 now comes standard with all-wheel drive. Previously, the base 2.5-liter naturally aspirated inline-four came standard with front-wheel drive and offered AWD as an option. Making AWD standard makes the CX-30 consistent with similarly sized and priced SUVs like the Ford Bronco Sport, Subaru Crosstrek and all but one Kia Seltos trim level. The CX-30's turbo 2.5-liter has always come standard with AWD. A much smaller update: Roof rails are now included on all but the base S trim level.

Toyota's famously robust Hilux pickup has competed in the Dakar Rally numerous times over the decades. The street truck and the race truck have normally stayed on opposite ends of the same spectrum, but their paths are crossing with the launch of the Hilux GR Sport.

While it's not an alternative to the Ford Ranger Raptor sold overseas, the latest addition to the Japanese company's truck range is a step in the right direction. It stands out from other members of the Hilux range with a specific suspension system that includes monotube shock absorbers and firmer front springs. Toyota tells us that the GR Sport consequently handles and steers better than the standard Hilux.

Good morning, and welcome to our daily digest of automotive news from around the globe, starting with…

Toyota's perennially popular Corolla cemented its status as the best-selling nameplate in the world by crossing the 50-million mark in 2021. Reaching that milestone took 55 years, and the company celebrated its achievement by releasing a manga series in Japan.

Spotted by Japanese Nostalgic Car, the comic strip highlights key moments in the Corolla's illustrious history. It starts in the 1960s, when a father comes home in a first-generation model (called E10 internally) and takes his family out for a drive. In the 1970s, the manga shows a father and a son having what looks like a serious discussion while driving in an E20-generation model. The page dedicated to the 1980s highlights the rear-wheel-drive AE86, which stands proud as one of the best-known and most sought-after Corolla variants.

Pile-ups unfortunately happen all too often and are particularly prevalent in snowy and ice conditions where visibility is low and it's harder to make an emergency stop. However, this particular accident didn't happen because of treacherous conditions but rather due to what seems to be a lack of situational awareness.

The Nissan R35 GT-R is approaching the end of its lifecycle but that hasn't stopped Kuhl Racing from developing one final bodykit for the iconic Japanese supercar.

Waiting in line for a DMV sounds a lot more exciting in Japan than in the United States. The Asa Coast Railway Company has launched a Toyota Coaster-based Dual Mode Vehicle (DMV) that drives like a small bus on the road yet is able to glide like a train on tracks.

The technology that powers Japan's DMV isn't entirely new; the hi-rail trucks that help maintain America's railway network are fitted with a similar system. In short, the minibus is equipped with a train-like front axle that's tucked under the body when it's driving on a paved road. Installing the axle required significantly extending the front end. When the bus approaches tracks, the axle extends to lift the front tires off the ground and allow the DMV to continue its journey. There's a train-like axle installed in the back, too, but the rear wheels stay on the ground. 

Kuhl Racing has just unveiled its first bodykit for the second-gen Subaru BRZ, giving the sports car some added flair.

Seeing listings for vehicles from all around the world sometimes makes us want to move to other countries. Like this new but tastefully modified right-hand-drive Suzuki Jimny that is currently listed for sale in Japan for the fair price of ¥2,453,000 ($21,331).

Acura's version of Honda's General Motors-based electric crossover will inaugurate the ADX nameplate, according to a recent report. While nothing is official, the United States Patent and Trademark Office recently granted the Japanese company the rights to the name.

Spotted by Car & Driver, the trademark application was filed by Honda on December 22, 2021, and approved three days later. Nothing suggests it's for a Honda, but a model called ADX would slot neatly into the Acura range, which also includes the MDX and the RDX.

Toyota has confirmed that production of the Avalon will end after the 2022 model year. While the big sedan isn't exactly going out with a bang, it's not remaining unchanged for its final model year. It gains an appearance package called Nightshade Edition and loses a trim level.

If the Nightshade name sounds familiar, it's likely because the package is already available on several members of the Toyota line-up, including the Prius, the Camry, and the Sequoia. It was added to the Avalon range in 2021 but it was paired with the XSE trim. For 2022, only the XSE Hybrid is eligible to receive the Nightshade treatment, which adds a black finish on the grille, the mirror caps, exterior door handles, exterior trim, emblems, and 19-inch wheels. Buyers who want an all-black sedan can order the Nightshade Edition in Midnight Black Metallic, but the palette also includes Wind Chill Pearl and Celestial Silver Metallic. Black upholstery comes standard.

Now is the time of year that animals love to hunker down away from the cold winter weather, and sometimes, they choose cars as their warm sanctuary. We found that out the hard way with our long-term Hyundai Palisade, but here's a much happier story. 

Brought to our attention by Jalopnik, a small, rogue kitten was just rescued from a Nissan Rogue. The little dude was in the car for a while traveling down the highway when those in the car started to hear tiny screams. So, as anyone would do, they pulled over.