Toyota Motor Corp expects sales in China to surge 33 per cent next year as it introduces the new Corolla model.

Sales will rise to 400,000 vehicles a year from 300,000 this year, said executive vice-president Yoshimi Inaba. Toyota will start selling the Corolla in the middle of next year.

Toyota and other Japanese carmakers are trying to win customers in China from General Motors Corp and Volkswagen, reducing their reliance on the United States. Toyota earns as much as 60 per cent of its operating profit in the US, the world's biggest vehicle market.

Toyota expects to double sales of the luxury Lexus brand in China to 20,000 vehicles next year. It will also introduce a series of hybrid models, Mr Inaba said. "Our operations are progressing smoothly," he said. "China's future is also Toyota's."

Toyota has invested 215 billion yen (HK$14.22 billion) in China so far and plans to expand total production in the country to 690,000 units, as it builds its third Tianjin plant.

Meanwhile, Audi, Volkswagen's luxury brand, raised its sales forecast for China this year by 14 per cent as the carmaker expands its dealer network and introduces new luxury sedans.

The company expects to sell 80,000 vehicles in China this year compared with a previous forecast of 70,000 units, said Ralph Weyler, Audi's sales and marketing chief.

Source:佚名