Tokyo - Japan's leading carmaker Toyota Motor Corp expects sales in 2009 to drop, owing to weak demand from North America, the company said Thursday.

Toyota lowered its global sales prognosis from 10.4 million units to 9.7 million units for next year, delaying the company's goal to become the world's first carmaker to sell more than 10 million units per year.

Lumax Industries,

Tokyo - Toyota Motor Corp, Japan's leading carmaker, expects to sell fewer cars in 2009, owing to weak demand from North America, a Japanese news agency said Wednesday.

Toyota on Thursday was to lower its global sales prognosis from 10.4 million units to 9.7 million units for next year, Jiji Press reported, citing informed sources.

Gaydon, England - Aston Martin has released scant details and sketches of its new super car codenamed One-77 that will sell for at least 1.3 million euros excluding tax (1.95 million dollars), making it the most expensive car on the market.

Each of the 77 limited edition Aston Martins will be tailored to the individual buyer and the engineers and designers will work out the exact specifications with the future owner.

Cologne, Germany - Volume production of the all-new Ford Fiesta has begun at the Cologne plant in Germany after the vehicle celebrated its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show in March this year, the car maker has announced.

The new Fiesta, which features the kinetic design of the Mondeo, S-Max and Galaxy, will go on sale in Germany in October. Ford said it had invested around 455 million euros (670 million dollars) in modernizing the Cologne plant that will at full capacity produce 1,900 Fiesta per day in three shifts.

Tokyo - Mazda will unveil the new Mazda 3 at the Paris Motor Show in October with the Japanese manufacturer releasing sketches by its chief designer Kunihiko Kurisu.

The pictures reveal a more aggressive design than the predecessor model with side vents on either side and "teardrop" headlights. The wheel arches are also bigger. The taillights are similar to the Mazda 6.

A four-door version is expected to debut at the Los Angeles Motor Show in November, while a five-door hatchback is expected to be shown at the Bologna Show in Italy in December.