TOKYO--Toyota Motor Corp. (7203.TO) said Wednesday that it
expected vehicle production and sales to fall by 1% this year,
paving the way for Volkswagen AG (VOW.XE) of Germany to seize the
crown as world's largest auto maker.
Toyota predicted that production would drop to 10.2 million
vehicles, with sales falling to 10.15 million. The company said
that in 2014, sales rose 3% to 10.23 million.
Volkswagen said it delivered 10.14 million vehicles in 2014, a
4.2% increase. It was the first time Volkswagen topped the
10-million mark.
Volkswagen hasn't issued a forecast for 2015, but IHS
Automotive, a research firm, forecasts sales of 10.07 million this
year for the German car maker, compared with 9.51 million for
Toyota. That also compares with 9.98 million for Volkswagen in
2014.
IHS includes fewer categories of vehicles in its forecasts,
accounting for the lower numbers.
While Toyota's sales have been growing in North America, the
company's performance has lagged in China, where VW has been doing
well.
Write to Eric Pfanner at eric.pfanner@wsj.com
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