Toyota, which is likely to lose its crown as the largest car maker to GM, expects to have a record year for sales in 2012.

The Japanese firm forecast a 20 per cent jump in deliveries to nearly 8.5 million vehicles as it recovers from the March 11th earthquake and tsunami, as well as flooding in Thailand.

Toyota took over from GM in 2008 as the largest car maker by volume, but is set to fall behind both the US firm and Volkswagen this year.

Sales this year are estimated at 7.9 million vehicles as a result of supply chain disruption sparked by the troubles in Japan and Thailand.

"The reason they lost sales this year was because they could not build the cars. Now that they can, it is possible they will take back the top spot," said Satoru Takada, analyst at Tokyo-based TIW, told Reuters.

Meanwhile, Volkswagen thinks the target of eight million sales this year is within its grasp after strong growth in November.

Sources:

UPDATE 4-Toyota expects record sales in 2012 (22/12/11)

Toyota seeks to boost production by 20% (22/12/11)

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