toyota is set to post record growth for the year just ended with a likely 10 billion surge in operating profit 0 but the mood at its headquaters in japan's prosperous automotive heartland is caution as executives warn of a leaner year ahead.
Japan's most valuable listed company is shifting to a new phase of much slower but more stable growth,senior executive say,as the burst of gains from a weak yen and prime minister's stimulus policies fade.
that trend, fed also by an increase in japan's sales tax and slowdowns in key overseas markets such as Thailand, could see the world's largest car maker eventually losing its crown to an ascendant volkswagen ag.