Toyota said sales across the group fell 4 per cent to 8.972 million vehicles in 2008, dragged down by a sharp decline in the main markets of North America, Europe and Japan.
The figure was in line with previous forecasts, as car sales globally plunged in the final quarter as the financial crisis spread, tightening credit markets around the world and forcing most automakers to slash production.
Toyota last month forecast its first-ever consolidated operating loss for the year to March 31st, with the situation aggravated by a sharp rise in the yen against most currencies.
For the parent only, which excludes mini-vehicle maker Daihatsu and truck unit Hino, sales fell 5 per cent to 7.996 million vehicles, Toyota said in a statement. Sales at the two units rose from 2007.
Toyota said in December it expected 2008 sales of 8.96 million vehicles.
The tally is almost certain to keep Toyota ahead of General Motors Corp as the world's biggest automaker after the US giant suffered a 23 per cent drop in the United States in 2008, compared with Toyota's 16 per cent fall. The United States is the single-biggest market for both automakers.
Executive Vice President Akio Toyoda, grandson of the company's founder is to replace Watanabe as president in June.
Agencies