Suzuki Motor Corp., the nation's top minivehicle maker, said Thursday it hopes to sell 585,000 minivehicles in Japan in 2007, down 4 percent from last year, raising the prospect of giving up the lead to Daihatsu Motor Co. for the first time in 35 years.

Daihatsu, a Toyota Motor Corp. subsidiary, released its sales forecast in mid-December, saying it expects its minicar sales on the domestic market to grow 3.3 percent year-on-year to 620,000 units in 2007.

Suzuki, which achieved a market share of 30.2 percent in 2006 to maintain the top position for the 34th consecutive year, said it hopes to secure a 30 percent share this year.