Toyota's profits on the up

Toyota will post a group operating profit of about 100 billion Yen (£647.1m) for the second quarter of 2010, according to a report.

Reuters claims the Japanese company – which saw a loss of 194.8 billion Yen (£1,260.55m) in the same period last year – is not expected to adjust its annual profit forecast, however, because of uncertainty over the European and US economies.

The company was hit last September by a crisis over safety and equipment that led to the recall of more than 10 million vehicles globally.

In the three months to June this year, the Toyota Group – including Hino Motors and Daihatsu – sold 1.9 million vehicles, a rise of around 30 per cent year-on-year.

Strong sales have come in emerging or resource-rich countries, such as in the Middle East, and sales are also picking up in North America after being hurt by the recalls.

Elsewhere, there were strong sales of the Prius in Japan but this sector could lose some steam in September when the Japanese government ends subsidies on eco cars.See all the latest Toyota reviews, news and video