Toyota Estimates Another Record in 2018 Global Sales

Nagoya, Dec. 20 (Jiji Press)--Toyota Motor Corp. <7203> said Wednesday its global vehicle sales in 2018 are estimated at 10,495,000 units, hitting a record high for the second straight year and topping 10 million for the fifth consecutive year. The Japanese automaker said strong overseas sales mainly in China are expected to offset a slump in domestic sales. The figure includes sales estimates for subsidiaries Daihatsu Motor Co. and Hino Motors Ltd. <7205>. Total sales this year are projected at 10,354,000 units. For 2018, Toyota expects domestic sales to fall 5 pct to 2,225,000 units, the first decline in three years, and overseas sales to climb 3 pct to 8,270,000 units, up for the second consecutive year. For Toyota alone, global sales are seen growing 2 pct to a record high of 9,500,000 units. The automaker is braced for its first domestic sales drop in three years, to 1,550,000 units, due mainly to declining positive effects from launches of new models, including the C-HR compact sport-utility vehicle. In overseas markets, Toyota expects to sell 7,950,000 units, another record high, thanks to strong demand for luxury Lexus models and the Camry passenger car, launched in China this year. Toyota projects its global sales of hybrid and other electric motor-driven vehicles to expand 7 pct to 1,600,000 units, led by brisk demand for the C-HR in Europe and the new Camry in China. Daihatsu's global sales are expected to fall 2 pct to 800,000 units and those of Hino to grow 6 pct to 195,000 units. In 2017, Toyota is unlikely to regain the top spot in global vehicle sales it lost to Volkswagen AG in 2016. END