Toyota could overtake GM as world's largest automaker in 2006

[Thom Little]

The Toyota Motor Corp. group plans to manufacture 8.9 million vehicles in 2006 and could become the world's largest automaker, a title long held by now-struggling General Motors Corp.

Toyota is expected to present the production plan, which includes vehicles manufactured by Daihatsu Motor Co. and Hino Motors Ltd., at a meeting of management officials and other senior members on Thursday. An announcement will be made Dec. 20.

.......

Meanwhile, the GM group's cumulative production between January and September this year was 6.729 million vehicles. If that pace continues for the October- December period, GM's yearly total would be 9.089 million, falling below the 9.098 million produced in 2004.

That number is expected to shrink further in 2006, when the U.S. auto giant shuts down three major plants and other factories in North America and slashes thousands of jobs.



http://www.asahi.com/english/Herald-asahi/TKY200512080252.html