Toyota sees 2008 global output up 5% at 9.95 mln

NAGOYA, Japan, Dec 25 (Reuters) - Toyota Motor Corp (7203.T: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) said on Tuesday it expects to build a record 9.95 million vehicles next year, a rise of 5 percent that will cement its position as the world's biggest automaker ahead of General Motors Corp (GM.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz).

Toyota, already the world's most profitable and valuable carmaker, expects to sell 9.85 million vehicles worldwide, up 5 percent.

In 2007 it produced an estimated 9.51 million vehicles together with units Daihatsu Motor Co (7262.T: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) and Hino Motors Ltd (7205.T: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz).

The group raised sales by 6 percent to 9.36 million vehicles in 2007, compared with GM's sales forecast of 9.2 million. Stripping out GM's minority-held Chinese joint venture, Toyota overtook GM in 2006.

Toyota, maker of the popular Camry and Prius models, earlier this year forecast group-wide sales of 9.8 million vehicles in 2008 and 10.4 million in 2009. (Reporting by Chang-Ran Kim)