Toyota Aims to Sell 8 Million Vehicles Worldwide in 2005

Toyota Motor Corp., Japan’s top automaker, hopes to sell more than 8 million vehicles worldwide next year and plans to introduce a hybrid version of its luxury sedan Lexus GS in 2006, company executives said Tuesday.

The Toyota group, which includes Daihatsu Motor Co. and truck maker Hino Motors Ltd., is targeting global vehicle sales of 8.03 million in 2005, up 7% from the 7.47 million vehicles expected this year, President Fujio Cho said.

Toyota expects sales growth in all key regions, including the United States, where sales probably will total 2.15 million next year, up from 2 million this year. In Japan, Toyota expects to sell 2.44 million vehicles, up from 2.39 million, the company said.

Takeshi Yoshida, head of the Lexus Development Center, said after a news conference that a hybrid version of the Lexus GS would go on sale in 2006 worldwide.

A hybrid switches between a gas engine and an electric motor to deliver the most efficient drive depending on the car’s speed. It offers better mileage than gas-powered vehicles and is attractive to people who want a more environment-friendly car.

Toyota has scored success with the hybrid Prius. It has said it plans to begin selling hybrid versions of its Highlander and Lexus RX SUVs in the United States next year.

Toyota plans to introduce Lexus dealers in Japan in August.