Toyota Motor's global production rises to record high for May

TOKYO, June 29 (Xinhua)

Toyota Motor Corp. on Thursday said its global production of cars in May increased to a record high for the month amid improving availability of semiconductors.

According to the Aichi-based automaker, its global output of cars increased 33.4 percent from a year earlier to 847,000 units, helped by solid production in North America and Europe, with output in Japan jumping 72.2 percent to 248,287 units.

Overseas output, meanwhile, also climbed to a high for May, rising 22 percent to 598,713 vehicles, the maker of the popular Prius hybrid and Corolla sedan models said.

Global sales saw an uptick of 10.1 percent in May to 838,478 units, with the number rising for a fourth straight month, Toyota said.

Robust demand from countries including Indonesia and the Philippines, as well as decent sales in India, saw exports increase 46.7 percent to 141,774 units, Toyota also said.

Domestic sales increased for a fifth successive month, rising 35.1 percent to 116,954 units, including those of mini-vehicles.

Looking ahead, Toyota said for the first time in the year through next March, it is targeting sales of more than 10 million units globally.