New releases slated for Detroit show; Toyota's comeback bid

(Acura)

Acura, Buick set to unveil new designs
Acura and Buick will debut two all-new vehicles at the Detroit auto show next month. Acura is introducing a sedan intended for younger buyers that's priced below higher-end marques. The compact ILX will start under $30,000 when it goes on sale in early 2012. Buick will unveil a compact crossover SUV called the Encore. It isn't releasing any further details until the show.
— Wire reports

New Toyota vehicles damaged by the March tsunami are placed in a parking lot in northeastern Japan in April. (Eugene Hoshiko / The Associated Press)

Toyota seeks record global sales in 2012
Toyota is aiming for a comeback, targeting record global sales of 8.48 million vehicles in 2012 and an even bigger number in 2013, after being battered this year by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan and flooding in Thailand. Toyota relinquished its title as the world's biggest in global vehicle sales for the first half of this year, sinking to No. 3 behind General Motors and Volkswagen. Toyota's global vehicle sales for this year totaled 7.9 million vehicles, including group companies, down 6 percent from the previous year. The automaker's current sales record of 8.43 million vehicles was attained in 2007.
— The Associated Press