Toyota Motor Corp. is expected to gain enough to take over Ford Motor Co. as the second largest automaker in the United States next to General Motors. According to some auto analysts, they saw large sales in December on the part of Ford. This is perceived to be in favor of the struggling Japanese automaker.

Edmunds.com tracked auto sales data and stated that Ford could suffer a remarkable 19.6 percent drop in December compared to last year's record. On the one hand, Ronald Tadross, Bank of America analyst, expects that Ford would drop by 10 to 12 percent range. Also, several analysts expect that Toyota has the nerve to unseat the ailing Ford.

If auto analysts' prediction would turn into reality, it would happen for the second month in a row and the third month of 2006. Jesse Toprak, chief economist for Edmunds, said Toyota likely will claim the No. 2 spot for the year in 2007, although Ford could bounce back for a few months during the first half of the new year. Toprak added, "They're [Ford] going to be down in pretty much every single segment. They really did not have any new products that will bring excitement and showroom traffic to a great extent."

Toprak also noted that the sales drop of Ford is attributed to the cessation of Taurus production. Taurus is a midsize front wheel drive vehicle. The car was introduced in 1985 to replace the Fairmont. Taurus auto parts are known for their reliability. No wonder why the car is loved by a lot of aficionados even up to this present time.

Toprak also expects that the sale of Ford's bread and butter trucks will also decline. One of Ford's pride vehicles is the F-150, the best-selling pickup in America. This is the very reason why Ford is meticulously supervising the manufacture and assembly of auto parts Ford F-150. "We cannot be distracted about things like that," said George Pipas, Ford's top sales analyst. He added that Ford is focused on returning its business to profitability.

It can be recalled that Ford has lost $7 billion during the first three quarters of 2006. Moreover, more declines in sales are expected to overwhelm the automaker. Toyota, on the one hand, is expected to yield a 7.3 percent increase in December.