Toyota Poised to Overtake Honda in China

Toyota Motor Corp. plans to hum right by Honda Motor Co. in 2007 to become China's top Japanese carmaker.

Honda is predicting 410,000 units to be sold this year…Toyota is predicting 450,000.

Toyota is being aggressive – launching new models as well as its number one seller – Camry sedan and Corolla compact.

Honda has delayed the launch of local manufacturing operations for some three years.

Toyota sales grew 68% in China last year including 220,000 Corollas assembled in Jilin and 60,000 Camrys made in Guangzhou.

Toyota expects those numbers to grow to 270,000 and 150,000 respectively.

Toyota didn't start assembling cars locally until 2002 3-8 years behind European car makers, Honda and GM.

However, Toyota's world class reputation and a full lineup of small, midsize and large sedans, its Lexus and Prius hybrid and the coming super chear Yaris will soon lead Toyota to the top in China as well.

What do you think?