Toyota says it sold 8.972 million vehicles worldwide last year, down 4 percent from the previous year.

The number is being closely watched as Toyota Motor Corp. had been on track to overtake American rival General Motors Corp. as the world's biggest automaker.

Detroit-based General Motors is scheduled to give its global vehicles sales tally Wednesday.

Toyota had been booming in recent years, but it has been hammered by the global downturn. The U.S. financial crisis sent auto demand plunging last year in the key North American market.

Toyota is forecasting its first operating loss in 70 years for the fiscal year ending March 31.