Toyota aims to build record 9.2 million vehicles this year: Nikkei

[February 03, 2021]  TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's Toyota Motor Corp plans record high global production of 9.2 million vehicles this year, up about 2% from 2019's pre-coronavirus output, the Nikkei newspaper reported on Friday.

The automaker has informed its main suppliers of the plan, which reflects sales momentum in China and demand recovery in North America and Japan, the Nikkei said, without citing sources.

Toyota is expecting solid sales around the globe this year thanks to the release of coronavirus vaccines, the newspaper added.

Toyota workers inspect the new Lexus ES vehicles at a Toyota plant in Miyawaka, southern Japan, July 6, 2012. Toyota Motor on Friday launched production of its revamped Lexus ES sedan, a flagship luxury car that represents a renewed bet the automaker can keep building cars for the United States and China at more costly factories in Japan. REUTERS/Yoko Kubota (JAPAN - Tags: TRANSPORT BUSINESS)

A spokesperson for the company was not immediately available for comment.

(Reporting by Takashi Umekawa; editing by Jason Neely)

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