Japanese mini vehicle maker Daihatsu Motor said it aims to boost global sales by 5.4 per cent in 2007, a move that could help parent Toyota Motor topple General Motors as the world’s biggest auto-maker next year.

Daihatsu’s expected higher sales are set to contribute to growth at the Toyota group, which also includes truck maker Hino Motor. The Nihon Keizai business daily has reported that Toyota plans to build 9.45 million vehicles worldwide this year, boosting production by 400,000 units from plans for 2006.
Daihatsu expects to sell just over 1 million vehicles worldwide in calendar 2007, driven by an expected 11 per cent rise in overseas sales to 367,000 units and a 2.4 per cent increase in domestic sales to a record 635,000 units.
Daihatsu, which turns 100 years old in March, has benefitted from high gasoline prices and the consequent popularity of mini vehicles in Japan.