VW Expected to Surpass GM as World's 2nd Largest Automaker in 2009

According to automotive industry analysts at R.L. Polk's German division, Volkswagen will overtake GM to become the world's second largest automaker in terms of production volume.

As Polk sees it, GM's production will likely drop by 31 percent which will allow Volkswagen to surpass them as their production is only expected to decline by 15 percent. Although many factors contribute to VW's favorable position, analysts see their primary benefit as a limited presence in the brutal American market where overall car sales have tumbled by 38.4 percent.

For 2009 production of passenger and light commercial vehicles is expected to fall to 52.8 million units, a decline of nearly 19 percent. This represents two million less vehicles being produced compared to 2008, effectively making this the worst year for car production since 1998.

It's not all doom and gloom though, Polk estimates that production will rebound in 2010 and vehicle production will hit a record 70 million units in 2012.