Toyota poised to reclaim world's biggest carmaker title

[Gerald]

Toyota is set to reclaim the title of world's biggest carmaker in 2012, after falling into third place in 2011.

The Japanese firm said it anticipated a 22% increase in group sales for 2012, reaching 9.7 million vehicles globally.

The bulk of them - 8.68 million - come from its own-brand and Lexus vehicles.

In 2011, Toyota lost the top spot to General Motors of the US with Germany's Volkswagen coming second, after Japan's tsunami and earthquake, as well as flooding in Thailand, hit production.

Toyota had previously held the crown for the world's biggest maker and seller of cars in three consecutive years, from 2008 to 2010.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-20843466

Have never owned a Japanese car ... but run some.

Note: 26 December 2012 Last updated at 10:17 GMT