GM set to retake top spot in global sales Jan 19 11:44 AM US/Eastern General Motors on Thursday reported global vehicle sales of more than nine million last year, a tally that could return the US automaker to the top rank in the automotive industry. GM said it had sold 9.03 million vehicles in 2011, a jump of 7.6 percent compared with 2010. Japanese rival Toyota, which took the number-one global title from GM several years ago, has not yet reported its annual sales figures, but it has estimated a decline of six percent to 7.9 million units. To date, Volkswagen has taken the number-two spot after reporting sales of 8.16 million vehicles last year.