NEW YORK, Dec 10, 2007 -- TOYOTA MOTOR CORP'S (TSE:7203) Toyota brand appears set to become the best-selling automobile brand in the U.S. this year, topping the charts there for the first time ever.

According to U.S. research firm AUTODATA CORP., Toyota was the sales leader through November, with its market share rising 0.8 percentage point from the first 11 months of 2006 to 14.2 per cent.

* GENERAL MOTORS CORP'S CHEVROLET brand dipped 0.6 point to 14 per cent, while FORD MOTOR CO.'S Ford brand saw a 1.7 point decrease to 13 per cent.

* In terms of new vehicles sold, the Chevrolet and Ford brands typically compete for top honors.
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Toyota was US sales leader through Nov, with its market share rising to 14.2 pct: Autodata Corp