GROWING new car markets in Eastern Europe and Russia will help Toyota Motor Europe (TME) exceed sales of 1.2 million units for Europe in 2008, two years before its target, bosses say.

The company said that steady growth across Western Europe will be ‘accompanied by accelerated growth in Eastern European and Russian markets ’. As a result, it expects to achieve its previously predicted 2010 sales figure two years early.

TME president and CEO Tadashi Arashima said: ‘Toyota is firmly committed to further growth in Europe. This can only take place if we assume our responsibilities as a good European corporate citizen by providing our customers with the most innovative environmental and safety technologies and superior quality service and products.’