Q1 Reaching global leadership in the industry through Toyota How many vehicles will Toyota Motor Corp. manufacture worldwide in 2007?
(a) 7.42 million units
(b) 8.42 million units
(c) 9.42 million units

A1In December 2006, Toyota Motor Corp. announced that, in 2007, it was planning to increase its worldwide production of vehicles by 4% over 2006 (across all its group companies including Hino Motors, Ltd. and Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd.). The increase means the company planned to produce 9.42 million units in 2007. The correct answer is (c). The U.S. automaker General Motors Corp. (GM), which manufactured 9.18 million units in 2006, adjusted down its manufacturing levels to match its sluggish sales in North America (Canada and the United States). Meanwhile, Toyota was steadily increasing the number of vehicles it produced at its factories around the world.

Then, in the first half of 2007, Toyota sold 4.71 million units worldwide, 8% more than it had sold during the same period the previous year and overtook GM, which sold 4.67 million units worldwide during the same period. For the first time, Toyota became the world's top vehicle manufacturer.