Brisk U.S. Sales Lift Toyota's Profit Forecast for the Year

TOKYO — Toyota Motor raised its annual profit forecast Tuesday despite a decline in its quarterly profit, as brisker sales in the United States gave the Japanese automaker a much-needed lift after a year overshadowed by natural disasters.

Toyota targets full North American output by September

Toyota Motors has said it expects its North American factory output to return to full capacity as early as September, faster than it had earlier forecast.

Toyota had curbed production at its factories in the region due to a shortage of parts in wake of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan.