Toyota's Russia plant to start slowly; Output growth will, at first, not keep pace with sales rise.(News)(Statistical data)

Byline: Luca Ciferri

Toyota Europe expects Russia to become its No. 1 market in terms of volume by 2009. But the automaker's production in Russia initially won't keep pace with its sales growth.

Toyota is planning a slow start for its first manufacturing plant in the region, a [euro]92.6 million facility that opens near St. Petersburg in December.

The Japanese carmaker will initially only build limited numbers of the Camry large sedan at the plant.

"We will probably build just 100 units this year, from complete knockdown kits coming from Japan," said Tetsuo ...