Toyota moves into Russia

Toyota Motor Corp, which may surpass Ford Motor Co in global car sales this year, will start making vehicles in Russia when its annual sales in the country double to 50,000 units, Kyodo News said. Toyota is considering setting up a production center in Russia after sales in the country tripled last year to 26,472 last year, Kyodo said, citing officials it didn't identify. The company has informally told Russian government officials about its plan to build a plant in the country, Kyodo said. The carmaker plans to raise total sales in Russia to 30,000 units this year by selling more of its Lexus luxury sedans, the report said. The Corolla was the company's best-selling brand in Russia last year having sold 8,772 units, the report said. The next bestseller was the Camry with 6,404 units sold, it said.