By Nathan Gomes and Abhijith Ganapavaram

(Reuters) -Normal Motors Co reclaimed the highest spot in U.S. auto gross sales from rival Toyota Motor (NYSE:) Corp in 2022 because it was capable of higher meet robust demand for vehicles and vehicles regardless of industry-wide provide disruptions.

Shares of GM rose 2.7% in afternoon commerce on Wednesday to $34.75, after the corporate posted a 2.5% rise in 2022 gross sales to 2,274,088 automobiles, increased than Toyota’s 2,108,458 models, in a intently watched race.

Stock shortages stemming from surging materials prices and a persistent chip crunch had hobbled manufacturing at many automakers, retaining automotive and truck costs elevated. Asian manufacturers have been hit hardest.

“Toyota remains to be among the many tightest on the subject of stock,” Cox Automotive senior economist Charlie Chesbrough mentioned.

The Japanese automaker lower its full-year manufacturing goal in November. Gross sales of its SUVs, a key phase, fell 8.6% in 2022, knowledge on Wednesday confirmed.

Nevertheless, Toyota executives mentioned there have been some optimistic indicators rising, and the speed of stock buildup was sluggish however regular.

“We’re optimistic our stock ranges will proceed to enhance within the first quarter and for the rest of the 12 months,” mentioned Andrew Gillel, senior vice chairman of automotive operations at Toyota.

Different manufacturers reminiscent of Hyundai Motor America, Kia Motors America, Mazda North American Operations and American Honda all posted a drop in gross sales on Wednesday.

Business-wide, final 12 months’s U.S. auto gross sales are forecast to be about 13.9 million models, down 8% from 2021 and 20% from the height in 2016, in accordance with {industry} advisor Cox Automotive.

Some analysts are additionally involved that worth hikes by automakers to blunt inflationary pressures and rising rates of interest will take a toll on new automobile gross sales in 2023.

Affordability is a “very actual situation,” Toyota govt David Christ mentioned. Nonetheless, the corporate expects demand to be sturdy this 12 months.

Automakers might want to start incentivising patrons, a pattern that was paused in the course of the pandemic, automotive market TrueCar (NASDAQ:) mentioned.