Toyota aims to sell 10.4m vehicles in 2009
"Toyota Wednesday" continues with news that the Japanese firm has its sights set on being the first automaker to sell more than (assume Dr. Evil voice and pinkie to corner of mouth gesture at this time) 10 million units in a single year. They are in fact projecting 2009 sales at 10.4 million units. That's a lot of Toyotas. Last year they finished just behind GM with 8.8 mil. So where will they find the extra growth? Toyota apparently thinks that worldwide sales should continue to increase with stronger demand in North America and emerging markets like China and India. Especially in the U.S. where fuel prices has risen sharply and plateaued, Toyota's lineup is becoming all about fuel economy. Toyota's fuel-efficient fleet has propelled it into a horse race with GM for world's biggest automaker. This new sales target should be officially announced Aug. 31 and will also include sales from Toyota's Hino and Daihatsu subsidiaries.
[Source: Automotive News, sub. req.]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Ryan 3:51PM (8/22/2007)
"fuel economy" and that my friends is why Toyota will beat out GM in the years to come as the biggest automaker. True GM may have fuel efficient cars, but Toyota does a much better job of branding "fuel economy" when you buy a Toyota versus GM.
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That One Person 5:02PM (8/22/2007)
Yeah, those 2 trucks and 6 SUVs sure are great on gas. If you fall into the crowd who believes Toyota is the greenest company on this earth, then you need to have your brain checked. Sure they "brand" themselves as fuel efficient but that doesn't exactly make it true. Just more Toyo propaganda.
porker 3:56PM (8/22/2007)
Oh, goody! Now there'll be 10.5 million cars recalled by toyota in 2010.
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MKIV 5:52PM (8/22/2007)
Hope your comment is not an indication of the collective intelligence in this discussions who are opposed to Toyota.
Although, reading your comment reminded me of a GEICO commercial..... ehhh.. WHAT?
Quattroporte 4:02PM (8/22/2007)
Toyota may go through what Mercedes did through the "DaimlerChrysler" era in terms of quality.
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Aaron 4:18PM (8/22/2007)
Carnack the magnificent strikes again. with the Indian and Chinese market ramping up at break neck speed it is probably a safe bet that the WORLD market for cars will grow handily. Throwing the north american market in there is a red herring IMO. I'd be surprised to see 200k of their targeted 1.2 mllion increase come from North America - especially as cometitors like honda freshen up their lineup and the domestics address their car lineup.
their predictions will simply live and die by their growth in emerging markets and them hanging on to what they have won recently in the North American sphere.
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gary 4:28PM (8/22/2007)
I just feel sorry for the people that fell for Toyota advertising, which by the way is genius. Fulled YOUR perception didn't they. Just don't get scared when you wake up people :-)
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MKIV 5:22PM (8/22/2007)
I think I read 3 people commenting that Toyota is not fuel economy minded. Let's start with FACTS.
Either one of you three gents care to list some samples from one manufacturer so we can do a comparison?
Let's see who wants to go with GM and who wants to go with Ford and/or other manufacturers and let's see how Toyota fair shall we?
m. 6:13PM (8/22/2007)
I will throw you a little bone : chew on that
New Toyta Tundra 14-17.
F-150 ........15-18.
Have a good day.
MKIV 6:39PM (8/22/2007)
M.
Wow just one??? that is impressive.
Here ya go for something for you to chew on. Just a few for you to compare.
Camry 21/31 Hybrid 33/34
Yaris 34/40
Prius 60/55 !!!!!!!!!
Matrix 26/33
Corolla 26/37
Avalon 19/28
4Runner 18/22
FJ Cruiser 16/20
HIghlander 18/24
I'm not going to tell you to have a nice day. Looks like it's been a bad day and getting worst.
m. 7:06PM (8/22/2007)
Dear MKIV, take a breath - everything is ok, you did you research, my day is however not getting worse. Its just great like anyother day - do you want me to keep feeding you little bones all day?
Highlinder 18-24
Ford Edge 18-25
HIglinder Hybrid 32-27
Ford Escape Hybrid 36-31
I can go on.... but as I said, have a nice day, and read my comment below Barney - you are probably one of those people that don't see the whole picture. I won't respond to you anymore - I don't have time for that....
Barney 5:34PM (8/22/2007)
Toyota is here to stay. Anyone doubting that, is a fool. Toyota produces quality and those who want to get in a sludge match, had better watch their own field. There are many that are less reliable and everyone knows it. Toyota will break the record. Use any excuse as to why that will be but be honest and admit it will happen.
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m. 6:22PM (8/22/2007)
why don't you help them break the record, just keep buying what they advertise to you, and believe everything, but don't cry when the inflation will be so high - you won't be able to afford your sweetheart Toyota anymore, due to the ruined domestic economy. But why should you think into the future? Who does that anyways - its overrated :) dont forget your American Flag Sticker on the back of your Tundra - that makes me laugh everytime I see one.
Greek Boy 10:35PM (8/23/2007)
Did someone say Toyota and sludge in the same sentence? It sure would not be a first time.
GM and Ford have always built better looking cars, now they build better quality too. Toyota is nuts if they think they can continue stealing market share. Plain and simple.
Barney 7:54PM (8/22/2007)
You sound like a sore loser, M.. Or perhaps your not sore. My country has Toyota factories like yours and factories that build American cars as well. I would say that of all car makers, Toyota advertises the least. Toyota sells mostly because of word of mouth. Live with it! Why would you think corporate dollars are so important anyway.
Stéphane Dumas 8:27PM (8/22/2007)
Sure it's here to stay, but there some upcoming factors to consider like a recession for example, also demography can play a role (the growth in population of India, China and to a latter extent Latin America however Japan face a demography crisis http://www.economist.com/opinion/displaystory.cfm?story_id=9539825 ) then even if it have a very slim chance to happen, a scandal similar to the one who hitted Mitsubishi for example a couple of years ago.
Then the next question is how long they could hold that rhytm? With Hyundai, India, China coming.... I doubt they could stay on the top for 40 years.
m. 8:33PM (8/22/2007)
Barney read your comment again, and tell me who is loser..I have to laugh on this one:
"I would say that of all car makers, Toyota advertises the least. Toyota sells mostly because of word of mouth."
Thanks for late afternoon entertainment. haha...I can't stop laughing sorry.
Barney 11:19PM (8/22/2007)
Stéphane Dumas: I agree with market change coming but at present it will be Toyota who leads. For some reason people on Autoblog consider it a throne. Honda and Nissan seem happy just selling a profitable volume and Toyota should heed. I can remember the "Jap Box's" and how these companies turned them into a truly good car. China is following in their footsteps and actually in a better position then were the Japanese. China already has the open doors and only needs to copy what is selling. Japan broke the mold with their small cars.
Barney 11:28PM (8/22/2007)
"Thanks for late afternoon entertainment. haha...I can't stop laughing sorry."
Yes I guess hysterical laughter originates with fear and nervousness. Not need to apologize as some people just can't take stress. Even if the stress is from facing realism.
Bryan 9:41PM (8/22/2007)
Well Barney, funny you mention..sludge. LOL. Toyota advertises the least? I have seen that stupid commerical with the keys raining down so many times I could puke. Not only does it suck, those keys are ugly!
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