Toyota Might Overtake GM as World’s Top Automaker

Toyota Motor plans to increase output to 8.9 million vehicles in 2006, possibly overtaking General Motors as the world’s biggest automaker. The Japanese automaker is set to announce its new production plan on December 20, raising its group output to approximately 8.9 million units from 8.28 units planned for 2005, according to a report in the Asahi Shimbun.
Toyota has been conservative in drafting production plans, although actual output is likely to near 9 million units. The increased output could thrust Toyota into the top automaker position as early as next year, depending on how GM recovers in the key North American Market.
General Motors, which has announced plant closures and other restructuring plans for next year, is likely to keep reducing output while Toyota expects higher production in Japan, China and the United States. GM plans to produce 9.08 million vehicles in 2005, down from 9.098 million in 2004.
Toyota manufactured a total of 6.83 million vehicles through October this year, up nine percent from a year earlier.