Toyota Motor Corp. plans to reach a level of approximately 10.4 million vehicles sold worldwide in 2009, an 18 percent increase compared to last year, primarily through the expansion of its business in the North American market and on the wings of growing demand from China and other emerging economies, reported the Japanese business daily Nikkei on Wednesday.
This would mark the first time Toyota surpasses the magical number of 10 million vehicles sold in the industry, likely cementing its position as the world’s largest automobile manufacturer. Toyota surpassed General Motors Corp. in vehicle sales in 2006, earning the title of the world’s largest vehicle manufacturer. Last year, it sold 8.8 million vehicles, just slightly less than General Motors’ 9.1 million, the paper further emphasizes.
The new business plan of the company, which will be announced on August 31, includes sales in Toyota’s subsidiaries Hino Motors Ltd. and Daihatsu Motor Co. Ltd., Nikkei further writes. Toyota is increasing its market share in the mature markets of North America and Europe by offering new eco-friendly models such as the hybrid vehicle Toyota Prius and the new generation RAV4 model, and it has recently made a breakthrough in the pickup truck market segment by introducing its new asset, the Toyota Tundra. (Hina)
