Toyota is planning to increase production by 24 percent in 2012 as it recovers from the effects of the Japanese earthquake and the floods in Thailand.
The company said it plans to produce almost 8.5 million vehicles next year (Lexus and Toyota brands) and to increase sales by 20 percent to 8.65 million.
Figures released a few days ago show that Toyota aims to increase production in Japan by 23 percent to 3.4 million and overseas by 25 percent to 5.25 million.
Sales are expected to increase by 28 percent to 1.53 million in Japan and in the rest of the world by 19 percent to 6.95 million.
Toyota overtook General Motors as the world’s largest auto maker in 2008, but looks likely to change places with GM this year, although some observers see this as a temporary situation.
In an announcement earlier this month, Toyota said it did not anticipate any further North American production issues due to the flooding in Thailand. As a result, its North American plants will continue operating on a normal production schedule, with planned overtime and Saturday production.
