Toyota to replace GM as world top automaker

TOKYO, Oct. 26, 2005; Xinhua News service reported that Japan's largest automaker Toyota Motor Corp. group is expected to boost its automobile production to more than 9.2 million units in 2006, making it almost certain that the group will top the giant US automaker General Motors Corp.to become the world's biggest automaker in terms of output, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported Wednesday.

Toyota has decided to raise its 2006 global production volume by 12 percent from its 2005 projection of 8.3 million units, or an increase of roughly 900,000 units, the business daily said.

Toyota group automakers Daihatsu Motor Co. and Hino Motors Ltd.have yet to finalize their plans for 2006, but they will likely increase their total output from the roughly 900,000 units projected for 2005 amid strong domestic sales, the newspaper said.

In contrast, global production of GM in 2006 is unlikely to top its 2005 projection of 9.12 million units in light of factory closures following a severe sales slump, it said. Enditem