Toyota Plans Sales Of 10.4 Mn In 2009

world''s automakers. On August 30, Toyota set a global sales target of 10.4 million vehicles for 2009, a number that would put the Japanese company far ahead of the current industry record of 9.55 million vehicles that GM sold in 1978.

And it may not even take that long for the Japanese automaker to take the industry crown Detroit-based General Motors Corp. has worn for 76 years. But there are no signs of celebration here in the namesake automaker''s headquarters. No banners proclaiming victory, no buzz in the air, no champagne, just the quiet business-as-usual bustle.

Toyota Motor Corp has already beaten GM in global vehicle sales for the first half of this year, selling 4.72 million vehicles compared to GM''s 4.67 million vehicles. GM declined to comment Friday on Toyota''s sales forecast and has not issued forecasts for 2008 or 2009. Toyota executives aren''t gloating. They say repeatedly that it''s not necessarily good to be No 1.