TOKYO, Sept 29 (Reuters) - Toyota Motor ( TM ) said on

Monday its global sales grew for an eighth straight month in

August, as continuing strong demand for some of its hybrid

models in the United States offset a weaker performance in

Japan.

The automaker's worldwide sales increased 2.2% year-on-year

to 844,963 vehicles in August, helped by a 13.6% jump in the

U.S. But sales in its home market fell 12.1%.

Its global vehicle production rose 4.9%, a third consecutive

month of growth.

The production and sales figures include Toyota's ( TM ) luxury

Lexus brand.