Daihatsu Motor Co. said Monday it plans to raise global output 7 percent in 2008 as it increases sales in overseas markets, including Indonesia and Malaysia.
The nation's largest minivehicle maker will make 1.47 million vehicles next year. Production in Japan will fall 2 percent to 1.02 million, while output abroad will increase 36 percent to 457,000, according to the Osaka-based firm.
Daihatsu, 51 percent owned by Toyota Motor Corp., aims to boost global sales as oil prices above $90 a barrel prompt consumers to choose smaller cars.
The minicar maker has raised production capacity at its PT Astra Daihatsu Motor venture in Indonesia to 211,000 vehicles a year from 114,000, it announced last month. The venture makes Daihatsu Xenia vans and Toyota's Avanza model.
Daihatsu said its global sales could rise 8 percent next year, helped by a 20 percent increase overseas. Higher sales in Indonesia and Malaysia helped net income grow 12.7 percent in the fiscal first half, the automaker said last month.
The company said its sales in Japan may grow 1 percent next year. Total minicar sales in Japan may reach about 1.93 million units in 2008, unchanged from 2007, President Teruyuki Minoura said Monday in Tokyo.
Through November, Japan's total new car sales fell 6.5 percent and minicar sales dropped 4.4 percent.
Daihatsu plans to start operating its ¥23.5 billion new plant in Nakatsu, Oita Prefecture, on Wednesday.
The factory has the capacity to make 230,000 vehicles a year and will be a model for the company's plants worldwide, spokesman Shozo Shimizu announced earlier this month.