RENEE MONTAGNE, host: Our business news starts with Toyota - still on its way to number one. The world's second largest carmaker says sales in the United States and elsewhere continue to rise. Toyota reports about a seven percent rise in profits for the recent quarter. That's thanks in part to strong sales of its SUVs and its Camry sedan. Toyota is expected to pass GM to become the world's number one automaker, possibly this year.</s>RENEE MONTAGNE, host: Meanwhile, GM and Ford are struggling to revamp their U.S. operations so they can keep up Toyota. Ford recently announced the worst yearly loss in its history.
Reporting a 7 percent rise in profits for the most recent quarter, Toyota says sales in the United States and elsewhere continue to rise. The world's second-largest automaker cited strong sales of its Camry sedan and its SUVs. Toyota is expected to surpass GM as the world's No. 1 automaker this year.