February 2008 Sales: Toyota Motor Corporation

[VenSeattle]

Toyota Reports February Sales

link to Press Release

TORRANCE, Calif., March 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Toyota Motor Sales (TMS),

U.S.A., Inc., today reported February sales of 182,169 vehicles, a decrease

of 6.6 percent from last February.

"Spurred in part by rising fuel prices, Toyota's fuel-efficient models

and hybrids, the mainstay of our lineup, continue to show strength," said

TMS President Jim Lentz.

The Toyota Division posted February sales of 160,892, a decrease of 6.3

percent from last February. The Lexus Division reported February sales of

21,277 units, a decrease of 9.3 percent from the year-ago month.

Toyota Division

Toyota Division passenger cars recorded February sales of 89,723 units,

down 7.3 percent from last February. Passenger-car sales were led by Camry,

which posted best-ever February sales of 34,914, an increase of 4.3 percent

over the same period last year. Camry Hybrid reported sales of 4,121 units

in February, up 19 percent over February 2007. The Prius hybrid

gas-electric mid-size sedan posted February sales of 10,893, a decrease of

14.5 percent from last February. Yaris reported best-ever February sales of

9,758 units, up 64.3 percent over the year-ago month.

Toyota Division light truck sales were down 4.9 percent, with February

sales of 71,169 units. Light truck sales were led by the Tundra full-size

pickup with best-ever February sales of 14,400, an increase of 43 percent

over last February. Highlander and Highlander Hybrid posted combined sales

of 10,513 in February, up 7.7 percent over the year-ago month. The

Highlander Hybrid gas-electric mid-size SUV reported sales of 1,938 units

for the month. Sequoia posted sales of 2,617 units for the month, up 8.7

percent over the same period last year.

Scion posted February sales of 8,883 units. The xB urban utility

vehicle led the way with February sales of 3,824 units, an increase of 28

percent over last February. The tC sports coupe, entering its fourth model

year, posted February sales of 3,261 units.

Lexus Division

Lexus passenger cars reported February sales of 12,203 units, a

decrease of 13.2 percent from February 2007. Passenger-car sales were led

by the ES 350 luxury sedan with February sales of 4,795 units. The IS

250/350 luxury sport sedan reported sales of 3,906 units, including 208

units sold of the all-new IS F luxury performance sedan. The LS 460/460 L

and new LS 600h L luxury sedans reported combined sales of 1,891 units. The

LS 600h L hybrid luxury sedan posted sales of 112 units for the month. The

GS 350 luxury sport sedan had sales of 1,201 units, while the GS 460/450h

posted combined sales of 221 units, an increase of 21.2 percent.

Lexus Division light trucks reported February sales totaling 9,074

units, a decrease of 3.5 percent from the year-ago month. The all-new LX

570 enjoyed sales of 569 units, an increase of 103.1 percent. The RX 350

and RX 400h posted combined February sales of 6,956 units. The RX 400h

hybrid luxury utility vehicle reported sales of 1,148 units for the month.

TMS Hybrids

TMS posted February sales of 18,289 hybrid vehicles, a decrease of

seven percent from last February. Toyota Division posted sales of 16,952

hybrids while Lexus Division posted sales of 1,337 hybrids.

There were 25 selling days this month, as compared to 24 selling days last

February.

TOYOTA RETAIL SALES
                          (INCLUDES FLEET & HAWAII)
                                February, 2008

                              -- CURRENT MONTH --  -- CALENDAR YEAR TO DATE --
                                               DSR %                     DSR %
                                2008     2007  CHG       2008     2007   CHG

    YARIS                      9,758    5,702   64.3   17,424   11,572   47.6
    COROLLA                   21,202   28,321  -28.1   41,938   53,840  -23.7
    CAMRY                     34,914   32,148    4.3   66,515   63,609    2.5
    AVALON                     4,073    5,583  -30.0    8,228   12,112  -33.4
    PRIUS                     10,893   12,227  -14.5   22,272   20,526    6.3
    SCION xA                      10    1,722  -99.4       19    3,480  -99.5
    SCION xB                   3,824    2,868   28.0    7,143    5,701   22.8
    SCION tC                   3,261    4,366  -28.3    6,208    8,779  -30.7
    SCION xD                   1,788        0      -    3,385        0      -
    TOTAL TOYOTA DIV. PASS.
     CAR                      89,723   92,938   -7.3  173,132  179,620   -5.5
    ES 350                     4,795    5,286  -12.9    9,141   10,606  -15.5
    LS 460/600h L              1,891    2,423  -25.1    3,797    5,429  -31.5
    SC 430                       189      282  -35.7      372      584  -37.6
    GS 350                     1,201    1,388  -16.9    2,471    2,756  -12.1
    GS 460/450h                  221      175   21.2      431      358   18.0
    IS 250/350/F               3,906    3,937   -4.8    7,168    7,332   -4.2
    TOTAL LEXUS PASS. CAR     12,203   13,491  -13.2   23,380   27,065  -15.3
    TOTAL TOYOTA PASS. CAR   101,926  106,429   -8.1  196,512  206,685   -6.8
    SIENNA                    11,262   11,039   -2.1   21,668   21,888   -3.0
    RAV4                      10,377   11,643  -14.4   21,274   23,568  -11.5
    FJ CRUISER                 3,520    5,040  -33.0    6,591    9,988  -35.3
    4RUNNER                    4,961    7,555  -37.0   10,431   14,885  -31.3
    HIGHLANDER                10,513    9,368    7.7   22,836   19,690   13.7
    LAND CRUISER                 394      226   67.4      854      460   81.9
    SEQUOIA                    2,617    2,312    8.7    4,994    4,370   12.0
    TOTAL SUV                 32,382   36,144  -14.0   66,980   72,961  -10.0
    4X2 TACOMA                 7,654    8,698  -15.5   14,013   16,176  -15.1
    4X4 TACOMA                 5,471    6,324  -16.9   10,176   11,909  -16.3
    TOTAL TACOMA              13,125   15,022  -16.1   24,189   28,085  -15.6
    TUNDRA                    14,400    9,669   43.0   26,473   15,990   62.2
    TOTAL PICKUP              27,525   24,691    7.0   50,662   44,075   12.6
    TOTAL TOYOTA DIV. LT
     TRUCK                    71,169   71,874   -4.9  139,310  138,924   -1.7
    LX 570                       569      269  103.1    1,279      556  125.4
    GX 470                     1,549    1,672  -11.1    3,206    3,385   -7.2
    RX 350/400h                6,956    7,086   -5.8   13,711   13,630   -1.4
    TOTAL LEXUS LIGHT TRUCK    9,074    9,027   -3.5   18,196   17,571    1.5
    TOTAL TOYOTA LIGHT TRUCK  80,243   80,901   -4.8  157,506  156,495   -1.4
    TOTAL TOYOTA DIV.        160,892  164,812   -6.3  312,442  318,544   -3.9
    TOTAL LEXUS               21,277   22,518   -9.3   41,576   44,636   -8.7
    TOTAL TOYOTA             182,169  187,330   -6.6  354,018  363,180   -4.5
    MEMO:
    DOM. COROLLA              20,147   25,549  -24.3   40,869   48,311  -17.1
    DOM. CAMRY                33,992   24,990   30.6   64,553   47,834   32.3
    DOM. PICKUP               27,525   24,691    7.0   50,662   44,075   12.6
    DOM. RX 350                4,795    4,832   -4.7    9,482    8,621    7.8

    SELLING DAYS                  25       24              50       49



    TOYOTA DIV. IMPORT CAR    31,511   36,816  -17.8   59,482   71,363  -18.3
    LEXUS IMPORT CAR          12,203   13,491  -13.2   23,380   27,065  -15.3
    TOYOTA DIV NA BUILT CARS  58,212   56,122   -0.4  113,650  108,257    2.9
    TOTAL TOYOTA CARS        101,926  106,429   -8.1  196,512  206,685   -6.8

    TOYOTA DIV. IMPORT LT
     TRUCK                    29,765   33,832  -15.5   61,986   68,591  -11.4
    LEXUS IMPORT LT TRUCK      4,279    4,195   -2.1    8,714    8,950   -4.6
    TOYOTA DIV NA BUILT LT
     TRUCK                    41,404   38,042    4.5   77,324   70,333    7.7
    LEXUS NA BUILT LT TRUCK    4,795    4,832   -4.7    9,482    8,621    7.8
    TOTAL TOYOTA LT TRUCK     80,243   80,901   -4.8  157,506  156,495   -1.4

    SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES    37,936   40,131   -9.3   78,585   80,544   -4.4
       Memo: Lexus Sport
        Utility                9,074    9,027   -3.5   18,196   17,571    1.5

    SMALL VANS                11,262   11,039   -2.1   21,668   21,888   -3.0
    PICKUPS                   27,525   24,691    7.0   50,662   44,075   12.6

    * NORTH AMERICAN BUILT
     VEHICLES
    COROLLA                   20,147   25,549  -24.3   40,869   48,311  -17.1
    CAMRY                     33,992   24,990   30.6   64,553   47,834   32.3
    AVALON                     4,073    5,583  -30.0    8,228   12,112  -33.4
    SIENNA                    11,262   11,039   -2.1   21,668   21,888   -3.0
    PICKUP                    27,525   24,691    7.0   50,662   44,075   12.6
    SEQUOIA                    2,617    2,312    8.7    4,994    4,370   12.0
    RX 350                     4,795    4,832   -4.7    9,482    8,621    7.8
    TOTAL                    104,411   98,996    1.3  200,456  187,211    4.9
    N.A. VEHICLES % OF TOTAL   57.3%    52.8%           56.6%    51.5%

    SELLING DAYS                  25       24              50       49
    DSR = DAILY SELLING RATE

[SuperSport623]

Burn Toyo! Burn!

[Drew Dowdell]

they still managed to throw 3 "best-evar"s in there.

[Drew Dowdell]

Wow! Look at SCION and Prius..... if the downturn is due to fuel prices... what's up with that?

[regfootball]

yaris only offsets how poorly corolla did.

scion models not goign thru the roof.

Yaris is not a good torch bearer of toyo's 'legendary reliability'

camry's leasing cheap is what that is.

[Lamar]

Wow! Look at SCION and Prius..... if the downturn is due to fuel prices... what's up with that?

The fact that God don't like ugly?

[A Horse With No Name]

Wow! Look at SCION and Prius..... if the downturn is due to fuel prices... what's up with that?

TC is an older design and there are better cars on the market (Astra...cough...Astra). (Yes I know the decline is not due to Astra, but...) XD is a really crappy design. New Generation xB doesn't connect with the youth market.

Prius is over hyped. Real problem with the car IMHO is that it drives terribly. I've known several non-car type people to trade them in after awhile because they handle so poorly. (really hard tires + really high curb weight+ softly sprung+odd driving dynamics)

Be interesting to see what happens.

Chris

[A Horse With No Name]

The fact that God don't like ugly?

Not sure that God exists, and if he (she?they?it?) existed he would be ever present and not need a car to get anywhere.

However, one could say the buying public does not like ugly, which is a huge part of the problem.

Chris

[A Horse With No Name]

yaris only offsets how poorly corolla did.

scion models not goign thru the roof.

Yaris is not a good torch bearer of toyo's 'legendary reliability'

camry's leasing cheap is what that is.

I would disagree. The Yaris is a great car to bear a good torching.

Seriously, compared to the Fit, Cobalt, Focus, Versa, etc. Yaris really isn't much of a car.

Chris

[regfootball]

its goes to show you the desperation of people. it's like what is the cheapest way i can get a piece of toyota greatness!!!!!!!!

[Lamar]

Not sure that God exists, and if he (she?they?it?) existed he would be ever present and not need a car to get anywhere.

However, one could say the buying public does not like ugly, which is a huge part of the problem.

Chris

You completely missed the joke, so I'll let that slide.

I think that the buying public is tired of ugly, and maybe... just maybe... people are wanting to enjoy driving a little more.

[mustang84]

Didn't Yaris just get put on CR's list of top 11 worse automobiles of 2007?

[regfootball]

yaris sales alone explain customer stupidity. get a versa at least, instead.

[Intrepidation]

Not sure that God exists, and if he (she?they?it?) existed he would be ever present and not need a car to get anywhere.

However, one could say the buying public does not like ugly, which is a huge part of the problem.

Chris

You completely missed the joke, so I'll let that slide.

[SingleStylish]

I think you can see clearly that the Tundra is not only being fleeted but, a flop.

[turbo200]

notably absent are mindless enthusiasm and high fives.

there must be some spiff/factory incentive or lease deal on Camry, because I am seeing them everywhere, new, these days, although that's nothing new really.

15,000 hybrid sales GM is missing out on. yep, just keep taking your time GM, we're all waiting for you to get there. when you do, we won't all have bought new cars already!

[Camino LS6]

I think you can see clearly that the Tundra is not only being fleeted but, a flop.

Toldya that thing was a real stinker at launch!

Three strikes!

[A Horse With No Name]

You completely missed the joke, so I'll let that slide.

I think that the buying public is tired of ugly, and maybe... just maybe... people are wanting to enjoy driving a little more.

I'm just dismayed that you think that God would buy a Scion. Given his age, don't you think he'd really rather have a Buick?

Chris

[Lamar]

I'm just dismayed that you think that God would buy a Scion. Given his age, don't you think he'd really rather have a Buick?

Chris

You REALLY REALLY REALLY REALLY missed the boat on this one.

Just let it go, man...

[siegen]

it's like what is the cheapest way i can get a piece of toyota greatness!!!!!!!!

I believe this is the cheapest way to get into a new Toyota!

[siegen]

"Spurred in part by rising fuel prices, Toyota's fuel-efficient models and hybrids, the mainstay of our lineup, continue to show strength," said TMS President Jim Lentz.

Apparently the el Presidente based this press release off of a previous month's sale chart?

Toyota Division passenger cars down 7.3 percent.

Prius hybrid sales down 14.5 percent.

Toyota Division light truck sales down 4.9 percent.

While everything is down, it looks like cars and hybrids are taking a bigger hit than the trucks and SUV's. I am curious, does Toyota sell more cars or SUV's/trucks in America?

[Teh Ricer Civic!]

I believe this is the cheapest way to get into a new Toyota!

sorta hard to get in that.

[siegen]

sorta hard to get in that.

It's really quite easy. You stand with one leg on each fork, hands on the grip with a couple fingers over the pressure release lever. The vehicle has amazingly tight turning, and can get into places no Civic could. It is foot powered, however does not pollute the environment.

[pow]

there must be some spiff/factory incentive or lease deal on Camry, because I am seeing them everywhere, new, these days, although that's nothing new really.

Yeah, I've seen ads for brand-new four-cylinder automatic Camrys for $16,999. When it's $3K less than a comparable Accord or Malibu, it's mighty tempting if all you want is cheap, reliable, safe, comfortable, and practical transportation.

[mustang84]

I believe this is the cheapest way to get into a new Toyota!

Ha, we had those when I used to work at a meatpacking plant in high school (except they weren't Toyota brand). We would find a nice long ramp, jack it up so it had some ground clearance for the bump, and then ride them all the way to the bottom. With a little footpower, those babies could fly.

Even more fun to ride were these

Edited March 8, 2008 by mustang84

[CARBIZ]

Yeah, I've seen ads for brand-new four-cylinder automatic Camrys for $16,999. When it's $3K less than a comparable Accord or Malibu, it's mighty tempting if all you want is cheap, reliable, safe, comfortable, and practical transportation.

That's pretty mind blowing, considering the Camry CE is still about $24k up here. Good for GM, but sucks for Toyota.

[turbo200]

Yeah, I've seen ads for brand-new four-cylinder automatic Camrys for $16,999. When it's $3K less than a comparable Accord or Malibu, it's mighty tempting if all you want is cheap, reliable, safe, comfortable, and practical transportation.

which is what most people want. no, actually, the highest selling models are probably loaded 4 cylinder models, from my experience with selling Hondas anywaysd.

that kind of deal isn't good for anyone's business. people already know the camry is a solid car, and they like it even. it definitely hurts Chevy, honda, and every other midsize around. which is why we see crazy deals here for all the midsizers...

[FUTURE_OF_GM]

Yeah, I've seen ads for brand-new four-cylinder automatic Camrys for $16,999. When it's $3K less than a comparable Accord or Malibu, it's mighty tempting if all you want is cheap, reliable, safe, comfortable, and practical transportation.

A lot of the Toyota dealers around here seem to be doing the 'fire sale' advertisements. I'm sure the corporation wouldn't like that too much... Or was it their idea in the first place?

[FUTURE_OF_GM]

I believe this is the cheapest way to get into a new Toyota!

The future of the sports car, thanks to the theory of global warming.

[CARBIZ]

It won't be global warming that will force us to drive forklifts: it will be $150 a barrel oil.

Have you any idea what will happen if the Middle East stops using the U.S. dollar as their standard????? They are planning on using the Euro.

[siegen]

Have you any idea what will happen if the Middle East stops using the U.S. dollar as their standard????? They are planning on using the Euro.

Well I guess we'll just have to go and make all of Europe one big ol' corn-eatin McDonalds-lovin democracy!

[A Horse With No Name]

Seriously, CARBIZ is right. When this thing goes to the Euro expect oil to hit $150 a barrel.

Reality sucks but it never stops being reality.

Chris

[CARBIZ]

The more I read about economic indicators, I am growing very concerned about what is happening in the U.S. right now. Iraq: $3 trillion. The mortgage crisis: $1 trillion. Gasoline prices: up 50%? How many more hits like that can the American economy take before it implodes? When you couple that with all the foreign holdings of U.S. currency - it adds up to a potential nuclear bomb. I can't imagine any single government deliberately making a run on the U.S. dollar, but panic could set in and domino things.

[Lamar]

The more I read about economic indicators, I am growing very concerned about what is happening in the U.S. right now. Iraq: $3 trillion. The mortgage crisis: $1 trillion. Gasoline prices: up 50%? How many more hits like that can the American economy take before it implodes? When you couple that with all the foreign holdings of U.S. currency - it adds up to a potential nuclear bomb. I can't imagine any single government deliberately making a run on the U.S. dollar, but panic could set in and domino things.

Are you predicting the 1930s all over again?

[CARBIZ]

Gold just hit $1,000. OPEC is going to decouple from the U.S. dollar. Mortgage defaults are up 64% over last February. I think the markets are more sophisticated than 1929, but I've seen some new reports suggesting that the U.S. downturn will swing into 2009. Everyone is quick to point out that this won't be another Japanese lost decade, but then that could just be a lot of analysts protecting their own clients.

[regfootball]

which is what most people want. no, actually, the highest selling models are probably loaded 4 cylinder models, from my experience with selling Hondas anywaysd.

that kind of deal isn't good for anyone's business. people already know the camry is a solid car, and they like it even. it definitely hurts Chevy, honda, and every other midsize around. which is why we see crazy deals here for all the midsizers...

and yet no one is willing to talk about the flood of used camrys in about 2-3 years. at auctions, losing value. bringing down the value of their new ones.

basically, toyota has decided they will stop short of nothing for market share. and it works, sure. but i just see no evidence of the toyota's big resale holding up. especially with the way they are cheapening the product lately. xb, xd, camry, corolla, yaris, tundra all cheaply built mediocre stinkers.

honda, different story.

Edited March 15, 2008 by regfootball

[FUTURE_OF_GM]

Harrelson Toyota in Rock Hill SC is running an ad for $9,000 off any new 'yota.

I remember all of the "rebates" stories about the big three, yet agin, nothing is said when Toyota FOLLOWS suit (as they always do)

[turbo200]

I notice they do a lot of local advertising, but the most I ever see nationally are the Toyotathon commercials, and those are usually during March, summer, September, December?

[The O.C.]

Harrelson Toyota in Rock Hill SC is running an ad for $9,000 off any new 'yota.

I remember all of the "rebates" stories about the big three, yet agin, nothing is said when Toyota FOLLOWS suit (as they always do)

Don't be tricked by all those dealer ads.

Coming from a dealer.....it might be one of those ads where they say to "bring in your current car, and we'll take it in on trade".......and then "we'll give you $9,000 off any new Toyota."

What they are really doing, is applying what incentives they might have from Toyota and making up the vast difference by under-allowing on the trade-in value of the vehicle. For example, maybe the car is worth $15K on trade-in, but the dealer will only give you $11K. Then they'll transfer that $4K difference to the new-car sale and make it look like additional "money" off.....meanwhile the dealer will log the vehicle in with an ACV (actual cash value) of $15K......

It's just money-pushing from one side to the other......

[FUTURE_OF_GM]

Yeah, our dealer here used to do the "$98 over invoice" pricing. The trick was that you got bottom dollar for your trade.