DETROIT — Nissan Motor Co. shot past rival Honda Motor Co. in global sales for the first time in decades to become Japan's second-largest auto maker.

Nissan's vehicle sales jumped 36% in China, the largest single market for the auto maker, pushing well past Honda to become the world's fifth-largest auto maker. Total sales were 4.08 million vehicles, up nearly 22% from 3.36 million a year earlier, reported The Wall Street Journal.

Honda's sales rose just 5% to 3.56 million from 3.39 million a year before.

Toyota Motor Corp., which sold 8.42 million cars and trucks in 2010, retained its top spot in the world, followed by General Motors Co., at 8.39 million vehicles. Volkswagen AG sold 7.14 million vehicles globally, followed by Ford Motor Co. at 5.31 million.

Carlos Ghosn, who serves as chief executive of both Nissan and partner Renault SA, said Friday that he is focused on growth in India, China and Russia.

Those nations are "where most of our investments are going," Carlos Ghosn told Fox Business Network in an interview. "This is where we think the growth is going to be tremendous for the industry."

Combined with partner Renault, the group sold 7.28 million vehicles, which when counted together make the pairing the third-largest auto maker, just ahead of VW. The alliance of Korean auto makers Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Motors Corp. sold a combined 5.74 million vehicles in 2010.

Nissan's sales also grew 18% in the U.S., where it gained market share while Honda and Toyota slipped.