Toyota set to lose top spot, but predicts record sales in 2012

Japanese automaker Toyota Motor Corp. forecast a 20 percent jump in 2012 sales to a record 8.48 million vehicles, Reuters reported. Toyota, the world’s top auto manufacturer since 2008, is set to lose its crown to General Motors Co. in 2011 after supply-chain disruptions from the March earthquake and tsunami in Japan and flooding in Thailand affected production around the world. With estimated sales this year of 7.9 million vehicles, Toyota will likely rank third behind General Motors and Volkswagen Group, but could regain the top spot with a strong showing next year.

Japanese automaker Toyota Motor Corp. forecast a 20 percent jump in 2012 sales to a record 8.48 million vehicles, Reuters reported.

Toyota, the world’s top auto manufacturer since 2008, is set to lose its crown to General Motors Co. in 2011 after supply-chain disruptions from the March earthquake and tsunami in Japan and flooding in Thailand affected production around the world.

With estimated sales this year of 7.9 million vehicles, Toyota will likely rank third behind General Motors and Volkswagen Group, but could regain the top spot with a strong showing next year.