Toyota aims for the top

Toyota President Katsuaki Watanabe said in his year-end announcement that the Japanese carmaker expected to boost output by nearly 10% to some 9.06 million units in 2006 from 8.25 million expected in 2005.

The figure is just short of the production level of GM, which plans to produce 9.08 million vehicles in 2005.

But growing Toyota still has a strong chance next year to knock down its US rival, which enters the new year trying to restructure rather than expand.

GM also expects its 2005 output to decline from 9.098 million in 2004.

Toyota and its two affiliates - small-size vehicle manufacturer Daihatsu and truck maker Hino - set the target of total sales at 8.85 million in 2006.