Toyota revving up to overtake GM
By Chang-Ran Kim
Toyota expects to produce a record 9.42 million vehicles in 2007 - a four per cent rise that should see it over-take General Motors and become the world's biggest auto maker.
As the Japanese firm woos buyers worldwide with cars seen as safe, affordable and fuel efficient, US rivals GM and Ford are fighting falling market share, closing factories and shedding thousands of jobs.
Soaring fuel prices have battered Detroit's auto heartland, with customers shunning gas-guzzling pickups in favour of cheaper-to-run models from Japanese and South Korean car makers.
Asked about the possibility of passing GM in 2007 - Toyota's 70th anniversary - company president Katsuaki Watanabe said: "That would merely be a result, not a goal.
"The important thing is to be a leader in car-making, and that's done by improving products."
story continued
Toyota expects to produce a record 9.42 million vehicles in 2007 - a four per cent rise that should see it over-take General Motors and become the world's biggest auto maker.
As the Japanese firm woos buyers worldwide with cars seen as safe, affordable and fuel efficient, US rivals GM and Ford are fighting falling market share, closing factories and shedding thousands of jobs.
Soaring fuel prices have battered Detroit's auto heartland, with customers shunning gas-guzzling pickups in favour of cheaper-to-run models from Japanese and South Korean car makers.
Asked about the possibility of passing GM in 2007 - Toyota's 70th anniversary - company president Katsuaki Watanabe said: "That would merely be a result, not a goal.
"The important thing is to be a leader in car-making, and that's done by improving products."
story continued
posted by anthony m, at Thursday, December 28, 2006
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