Toyota Sets 2010 Sales Target: 8.27 Million Cars

Engulfed in an almost global recall effort, Japanese carmaker Toyota seems to be confident the problems it experienced in 2009 will somehow go away and make room for a better 2010. A 6 percent better 2010, as Toyota plans to sell that much over the 2009 sales figure and reach a total of 8.27 million vehicles in the new year (including Daihatsu and Hino). Toyota alone is hoped to sell 7.4 million units.

The increase is expected to be supported by most of Toyota's markets, with a 7 percent increase coming from Japan (2.13 million for 2010), while the overseas markets will complete the picture with a six percent rise (6.14 million).

Toyota hopes China will weight heavily in its rebound this year, with 800,000 vehicles to be sold here (up 13 percent). India is expected to contribute 62,000 vehicles (up 12 percent), while Toyota's biggest market, the US, is expected to reach 2.19 million vehicles (up 11 percent). Europe comes last in Toyota's plans, with a 5 percent decrease to 840,000 vehicles.

This is the first time in 3 years Toyota dears to dream of an increase in sales. The increase will be backed, Toyota hopes, by its hybrids, headed by the third-generation Prius.

If correct, the sales target for 2010 will allow Toyota to keep the No. 1 carmeker crown for at least another year. Even if all comes down to how its sworn competitor, Volkswagen, handles 2010, analyst says Toyota has all the reasons to hope.

"All in all, it's probably an achievable target," Christopher Richter, auto analyst at CLSA Asia-Pacific Markets was quoted as saying by Reuters.