UPDATE 1-Toyota lifts Japan 2012 forecast on eco-subsidy (25/01/12)

Toyota has increased its 2012 sales forecast after the Japanese government's decision to bring back subsidies for fuel-efficient cars.

The carmaker raised its outlook to 1.63 million units, up 36 per cent from last year - 6.5 per cent higher than previous estimates.

It did not change its overseas sales forecast, which remains at 18 per cent.

Globally, the firm expects to sell 8.58 million vehicles in 2012, up by over a fifth (21 per cent) from last year, when it was severely impacted by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan and flooding in Thailand.

China Jan car sales down 23.8 pct yr-on-yr -official data (09/02/12)

China's auto market slowed last year to annual growth of just 5.2 per cent, figures from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers show.

That compares with growth of 33 per cent and 53 per cent in 2010 and 2009 respectively.

It is thought that cooling is down to a number of factors, including projects to ease congestion in cities and the end of tax incentives for small cars.
 

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