Toyota sales rise challenge to GM

Toyota's Lexus models could be challenged by a GM fuel-cell car

Japanese car giant Toyota has revealed production figures for 2007, which could see it outstrip GM in the race to be the world's biggest carmaker.

Toyota said global sales for the year rose by 6% to 9.37m vehicles, up 10,000 on initial estimates in December. GM has yet to announce its annual sales.

Overseas sales at Toyota rose 10%, but those in its home market fell by 4%.

High petrol prices have boosted demand for Toyota's Prius and Lexus hybrid cars, and for others like the Camry.

Growth plan

Sales in North America, Europe, emerging markets and the rest of Asia were strong, making up for stubbornly stagnant sales at home.

October marked the end of a three-month run of declining US sales for Toyota.

In December, the Japanese firm revealed a growth plan, with the aim of 9.85 million global vehicle sales in 2008, up 5% on 2007.

In the first nine months of 2007, Toyota was slightly behind GM's global sales at 7.05 million, compared with the US firm's 7.06 million sales in the same period.

In the growing market of China, GM sales are ahead of Toyota's.

GM also says its Cadillac Provoq fuel-cell concept vehicle will take on Toyota's Lexus luxury brand, pitched at consumers who see themselves as affluent, yet environmentally aware.