Toyota again topped the world’s automakers in sales as it hit company sales and production records last year in the industry’s pandemic recovery.

The Japanese company said strong demand and eased chip shortages buoyed its results to keep it in the top position for the fourth year in a row. It bested No. 2, Volkswagen.

Toyota reached 11.2 million units sold, including its luxury brand, Lexus, and the Daihatsu and Hino brands, a 7% jump. The Toyota and Lexus brands alone were up about 8% to 10.3 million.

With success often comes setbacks, and Toyota issued an apology over repeated certification “irregularities” at Toyota brands Daihatsu, Hino and Toyota Industries.

“… we deeply apologize to our customers who have been supporting affected vehicles and waiting for a long time, and also to all other stakeholders for the significant inconvenience and concern that this has caused,” the company said in a statement.

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