TOKYO (AP) — The alliance of Japanese automaker Nissan Motor Co. and Renault SA of France says it led in global vehicle sales for the first half of this year, the first time it has claimed top rank.

The Nissan-Renault alliance, which includes Mitsubishi Motors Corp., sold 5,268,079 vehicles around the world in January-June.

That was more than Volkswagen AG at 5,155,600.

Japanese rival Toyota Motor Corp said Friday it sold 5,129,000 vehicles in the first half.

Volkswagen became the world's top selling automaker last year for the first time. U.S. rival General Motors Co., which had held that crown for more than seven decades, trailed at fourth place, selling about 4.7 million vehicles in the first half.