New York - US automotive giant General Motors said Wednesday its sales in 2008 fell 11 per cent, with fourth-quarter sales plunging 26 per cent as the company lost its world top ranking to Japanese competitor Toyota.

Detroit, Michigan-based GM said it sold 8.35 million vehicles last year, of which fourth-quarter sales were 1.7 million.

The 2008 total was some 620,000 lower than Toyota, so that GM for the first time in 77 years ceded its position as the world's largest car manufacturer.

Toyota had previously reported sales of 8.972 million vehicles last year, down 4 per cent from 2007. (dpa)