Toyota plans 10 more plants globally by 2010

TOKYO - Toyota Motor Corp. plans to add 10 more assembly plants in North America, France, China and India, among others, by 2010, raising its total output capacity to more than 10 million units a year, the Yomiuri Daily reported today.

Due to strong demand for its fuel-efficient cars, Toyota believes it needs to raise its annual output capacity by 3 million units over the next five years from the current 7.35 million units, the newspaper said.

Toyota intends to build a second assembly plant in Texas, in addition to a new plant that will begin operation later this year, the paper said, quoting a Toyota executive.

Toyota is also considering building a new assembly plant adjacent to an existing plant in Valencinnes, northern France, by 2010, the paper said.

General Motors Corp, the world's biggest carmaker, currently builds 9.05 million vehicles a year, the paper said.

- REUTERS