Toyota Motor Corporation appears set to become the first car maker to build 10 million vehicles in a single year, as it simultaneously holds a six-month sales lead over both General Motors and Volkswagen.
Helped by demand for hybrids in Japan and a declining yen that has bolstered the value of Japanese exports, the Nikkei newspaper reports?Toyota will announce a 10.1 million vehicle global production plan at the end of the week.
According to the report, of the 10.1 million vehicles made, more than 3.3 million will be produced in Japan, with the total figure including models from Daihatsu Motor Co. and Hino Motors Ltd.
At the six-month point, Toyota holds a lead in global sales over GM and Volkswagen, with 4.91 million units sold to the US brand's 4.85 million total and the German's 4.7 million.
Volkswagen Group CEO Martin Winterkorn has previously stated his confidence in?reaching 10 million units ahead of any other manufacturer, while GM is planned to bring 18 new or refreshed vehicles to market this year in its pursuit of increased sales.
Toyota claimed the title of the world's largest automaker in 2008, ending a 77-year reign by GM. The Japanese brand held top spot until GM regained the crown in 2011?following Japan's natural disasters. The car maker bounced back into top spot in 2012 shifting 9.75 million units ahead of GM's?9.29 million and Volkswagen's?9.07 million.
