BusinessWeek has gotten word that Apple is planning to move a big batch of iPhone 3G out into the market in the near future. So what's the damage? If BusinessWeek's source is proven true, Apple will be manufacturing 45 million iPhone units in the coming 12 months.

To say that's a lot of iPhones may be a gross understatement. I mean, 45 million?! It's such a huge number; even the ever-popular Nintendo Wii hasn't shipped that many yet, ever since it got released.

But maybe it really is attainable. If you'll remember, during the first three days of the iPhone 3G's release alone, it had already sold its first one million units.

Here's a quote from BusinessWeek:

Apple boosted its production plans when initial sales proved stronger than the company expected, says [BusinessWeek's source], who requested anonymity. On launch day, the company expected to build 30 million iPhone 3Gs in 12 months. Apple declined to comment beyond reiterating that it expects to reach a stated goal of selling 10 million iPhone 3Gs in 2008.

Until Apple releases an official statement, we'll be filing this under rumor.

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