Originally Posted by WashingtonPost

"Toyota Expects to Be World's No. 1 Automaker Next Year

By Sholnn Freeman and Dale Russakoff
Washington Post Staff Writers
Saturday, December 23, 2006; A01

Toyota said yesterday that it was on track to become the world's largest automaker next year, dethroning General Motors and underlining how far auto manufacturing has fallen from its once-pivotal place in America's economy and politics.
. . .
Jim Press, Toyota's U.S. chief executive, echoing company officials in Japan, said Toyota is following its own path and did not have GM in its crosshairs. He said Toyota would continue to expand manufacturing, research and design operations in United States.

He said Toyota's sales were powered in the U.S. by growing consumer demand for small cars and hybrid-powered sedans and sport-utility vehicles.

"We had the foresight to start hybrid development earlier than other companies," Press said. "This year we will sell more hybrids than Cadillac will sell cars.""