Toyota production to top 10 million units next year

Toyota has told its parts suppliers to expect its production numbers to surpass ten million vehicles next year as sales numbers in the US and new emerging markets continue to grow. Execs are predicting production will rise in ’08 by six percent on current levels, topping out at an estimated 10.4 million cars.

The extra production will go to feed demand for more environmentally friendly vehicles in both established markets like the US as well as emerging markets such as China, reports the Nikkei.

Including the sales of its subsidiaries Daihatsu and Hino, Toyota managed to end GM’s 75 year stay as the world’s biggest carmaker last year with a lead of 128,000 vehicles. By the looks of things, the gap is likely to spread even further in coming years.