17 Dec 2010 15:57

Toyota Motor boosts production in Russia 100% in 2010; sales up 20%

MOSCOW. Dec 17 (Interfax) - Toyota Motor LLC doubled production at its plant in St. Petersburg in 2010, to 16,000 cars, company President Takeshi Isogawa told journalists on Friday.

Sales in Russia rose 20% to 77,000 in 2010, Isogawa said, adding that the company is considering various options for development, including expansion of the existing plant in Russia or construction of a new plant. He did not specify when a decision would be made.

Additional models using the Camry platform, which is already produced at the plant, might be added to the lineup, he said.

Toyota expects the Russian market to expand to 2 million vehicles in 2011, the company said in materials. SUVs are expected to account for 20% of the market and B-class vehicles - 18%.

Toyota's Lexus division sold 11,000 cars in Russia this year, compared with target of 10,000.