European sales boost for Toyota

TOYOTA has become the number one Japanese manufacturer in Europe after announcing record 1998 sales of 541,000 - up 15% on 1997. The sales broke the 500,000 barrier for the first time.

Juan Jose Diaz Ruiz, executive vice-president sales and marketing, Toyota Motor Europe, said: 'These excellent results clearly demonstrate the progress we are making to become a major player in Europe.' UK sales totalled a record 79,298 (1997: 70,411) of which 38,097 were fleet sales - up 41.7% on 1997 fleet volumes of 26,893. Toyota's European production also reached record levels with 172,000 cars built at Burnaston, Derby, while 108,000 engines were built at the company's Deeside engine plant. Worldwide sales totalled 4.64 million units.