Toyota to Make More Autos Abroad Than in Japan in 2007

Tokyo, Oct 1, 2007; Jiji Press reported that Toyota Motor Corp.'s overseas automobile output is expected to exceed its domestic production in 2007 for the first time ever thanks to strong sales abroad, company officials said Monday.

Toyota's global production in the year is likely to top 8.6 million units against its initial projection of 8.47 million units, with its overseas output seen to total 4.3 million units or more, the officials said.

In its production plan announced in late 2006, the company estimated its domestic production in 2007 at 4.27 million units and overseas output at 4.2 million units.

Contrary to strong demand outside Japan, Toyota's domestic production is unlikely to surpass its initial projection.

Toyota plans to recover by November its production delay stemming from a powerful earthquake that hit Niigata Prefecture and surrounding areas in July.

But the company's production plan is likely to be affected by sluggish sales in Japan, with sales in January-August falling 8.6 pct from a year before.

Toyota has been actively promoting overseas production since the Japanese auto industry was mired in Japan-U.S. trade friction in the 1980s.

The company in recent years boosted production in North America and China, while planning to launch output at a plant in Russia at the end of 2007. It is also considering production in such emerging countries as India in 2008 or later.

Among other Japanese automakers, Honda Motor Co. and Nissan Motor Co. have already seen their overseas production exceed domestic output.

Toyota's global production in the year is likely to top 8.6 million units against its initial projection of 8.47 million units, with its overseas output seen to total 4.3 million units or more, the officials said.

In its production plan announced in late 2006, the company estimated its domestic production in 2007 at 4.27 million units and overseas output at 4.2 million units.

Contrary to strong demand outside Japan, Toyota's domestic production is unlikely to surpass its initial projection.

Toyota plans to recover by November its production delay stemming from a powerful earthquake that hit Niigata Prefecture and surrounding areas in July.

But the company's production plan is likely to be affected by sluggish sales in Japan, with sales in January-August falling 8.6 pct from a year before.

Toyota has been actively promoting overseas production since the Japanese auto industry was mired in Japan-U.S. trade friction in the 1980s.

The company in recent years boosted production in North America and China, while planning to launch output at a plant in Russia at the end of 2007. It is also considering production in such emerging countries as India in 2008 or later.

Among other Japanese automakers, Honda Motor Co. and Nissan Motor Co. have already seen their overseas production exceed domestic output.