NAGOYA (Nikkei)--Toyota Motor Corp. has raised its planned worldwide production of automobiles by 140,000 vehicles to 5.15 million units this year, its highest ever.

At a news conference Monday, company President Fujio Cho attributed the revision to extremely strong growth in the automaker's market share in the U.S., a significant recovery in demand in Asia, and signs of a rebound in Japan.

Cho also acknowledged that the strong pound is hurting Toyota's production operations in the U.K., but said the firm is not planning any changes at them. But the U.K. subsidiary may increase the proportion of items procured from continental Europe, he added.

(The Nikkei Industrial Daily Tuesday edition)