October 2008 Sales: Toyota Motor Sales

[VenSeattle]

Toyota Reports October Sales

Nov. 3 /PRNewswire/

Link to Press Release

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

U.S.A., Inc., today reported October sales of 152,101 vehicles, a decrease

of 25.9 percent from last October, on a daily selling rate basis.

The Toyota Division posted October sales of 135,818 units, a decrease

of 24.2 percent from last October. The Lexus Division reported October

sales of 16,283 units, a decrease of 37.6 percent from the year-ago month.

Toyota Division

Toyota Division passenger cars recorded October sales of 84,904 units,

down 14.2 percent from the same period last year. Passenger car sales were

led by Camry and Camry Hybrid, which posted combined sales of 30,556 units.

Camry Hybrid reported October sales of 2,792 units. Corolla recorded

best-ever October sales of 27,386 units, up 2.2 percent over the year-ago

month. Yaris reported sales of 4,871 units for the month. The Prius

mid-size gas-electric hybrid posted October sales of 11,804 units.

Toyota Division light trucks posted October sales of 50,914 units, down

36.5 percent from October 2007. Light truck sales were led by the RAV4

compact SUV with October sales of 12,227 units. The Tacoma mid-size pickup

reported sales of 10,001 units for the month. Highlander and Highlander

Hybrid posted combined sales of 7,032 units in October. The Highlander

Hybrid gas-electric mid-size SUV reported October sales of 1,022 units, up

65.1 percent over the year-ago month. Sequoia posted sales of 1,829 units

for the month, up 16.3 percent over the same period last year.

Scion posted October sales of 6,743 units. The xB urban utility vehicle

led the way with October sales of 2,594 units. The tC sports coupe posted

October sales of 2,224 units. The xD reported October sales of 1,925 units

for the month.

Lexus Division

Lexus passenger cars reported October sales of 9,332 units, a decrease

of 40.2 percent from October 2007. Passenger-car sales were led by the ES

entry luxury sedan with October sales of 4,141 units. The IS entry luxury

sport sedan reported combined sales of 2,772 units. The LS flagship luxury

sedan reported combined sales of 1,502 units. The GS luxury sport sedan

reported combined October sales of 819 units.

Lexus Division light trucks recorded October sales of 6,951 units, down

33.7 percent from the year-ago month. Lexus sales were led by the RX luxury

utility vehicle, which posted combined October sales of 5,180 units. The RX

400h hybrid luxury utility vehicle reported sales of 615 units for the

month. The LX 570 reported sales of 567 units, an increase of 370.7 percent

over the same period last year.

TMS Hybrids

TMS calendar-year-to-date hybrid sales totaled 216,760 units. TMS

posted October sales of 16,310 hybrid vehicles. Toyota Division recorded

sales of 15,618 hybrids for the month. Lexus Division reported October

sales of 692 hybrids.

There were 27 selling days this month, compared to 26 selling days last

October.

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

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

    YARIS              4,871     5,409   -13.3     93,366     73,874    25.9
    COROLLA           27,386    25,815     2.2    307,071    317,796    -3.8
    CAMRY             30,556    33,728   -12.8    386,118    398,868    -3.6
    AVALON             3,543     6,168   -44.7     37,852     60,728   -37.9
    PRIUS             11,804    13,158   -13.6    142,365    150,272    -5.6
    SCION xA               0        39  -100.0         39      9,513   -99.6
    SCION xB           2,594     4,375   -42.9     41,265     38,207     7.6
    SCION tC           2,224     4,437   -51.7     37,904     56,500   -33.2
    SCION xD           1,925     2,111   -12.2     25,294      7,398   240.6
    TOTAL TOYOTA
     DIV. PASS. CAR   84,904    95,241   -14.2  1,071,276  1,113,161    -4.1

    ES                 4,141     6,516   -38.8     54,783     68,960   -20.9
    LS                 1,502     2,951   -51.0     17,532     29,301   -40.4
    SC                    98       316   -70.1      1,787      3,311   -46.2
    GS                   819     1,507   -47.7     13,838     18,597   -25.9
    IS                 2,772     3,727   -28.4     43,144     45,433    -5.4
    TOTAL LEXUS
     PASS. CAR         9,332    15,017   -40.2    131,084    165,602   -21.2

    TOTAL TOYOTA
     PASS. CAR        94,236   110,258   -17.7  1,202,360  1,278,763    -6.3

    SIENNA             8,003     9,610   -19.8    102,890    115,522   -11.3
    RAV4              12,227    14,636   -19.6    118,965    146,582   -19.2
    FJ CRUISER         1,657     4,164   -61.7     23,353     47,392   -50.9
    4RUNNER            3,555     7,196   -52.4     40,861     74,180   -45.1
    HIGHLANDER         7,032     9,558   -29.2     88,983    100,852   -12.1
    LAND CRUISER         185       237   -24.8      3,388      1,989    69.7
    SEQUOIA            1,829     1,514    16.3     26,421     19,473    35.2
    TOTAL SUV         26,485    37,305   -31.6    301,971    390,468   -23.0

    4X2 TACOMA         5,202     7,286   -31.2     70,973     87,785   -19.5
    4X4 TACOMA         4,799     5,163   -10.5     56,341     60,179    -6.7
    TOTAL TACOMA      10,001    12,449   -22.6    127,314    147,964   -14.3
    TUNDRA             6,425    17,868   -65.4    121,451    162,348   -25.5
    TOTAL PICKUP      16,426    30,317   -47.8    248,765    310,312   -20.1
    TOTAL TOYOTA
     DIV. LT TRUCK    50,914    77,232   -36.5    653,626    816,302   -20.2
    LX                   567       116   370.7      6,983      2,265   207.1
    GX                 1,204     2,046   -43.3     14,036     18,440   -24.2
    RX                 5,180     7,940   -37.2     68,399     83,467   -18.4
    TOTAL LEXUS
     LIGHT TRUCK       6,951    10,102   -33.7     89,418    104,172   -14.5

    TOTAL TOYOTA
     LIGHT TRUCK      57,865    87,334   -36.2    743,044    920,474   -19.6

    TOTAL TOYOTA
     DIV.            135,818   172,473   -24.2  1,724,902  1,929,463   -10.9
    TOTAL LEXUS       16,283    25,119   -37.6    220,502    269,774   -18.6

    TOTAL TOYOTA     152,101   197,592   -25.9  1,945,404  2,199,237   -11.9
    MEMO:
    DOM. COROLLA      20,530    25,788   -23.3    246,576    294,446   -16.6
    DOM. CAMRY        30,270    32,643   -10.7    379,259    346,493     9.0
    DOM. PICKUP       16,426    30,317   -47.8    248,765    310,312   -20.1
    DOM. RX            4,384     5,625   -24.9     50,592     60,504   -16.7

    SELLING DAYS          27        26                257        256

    TOYOTA DIV.
     IMPORT CAR       30,561    30,642    -4.0    407,589    411,494    -1.3
    LEXUS IMPORT CAR   9,332    15,017   -40.2    131,084    165,602   -21.2
    TOYOTA DIV NA
     BUILT CARS       54,343    64,599   -19.0    663,687    701,667    -5.8
    TOTAL TOYOTA
     CARS             94,236   110,258   -17.7  1,202,360  1,278,763    -6.3

    TOYOTA DIV.
     IMPORT LT
     TRUCK            24,656    35,791   -33.7    275,550    370,995   -26.0
    LEXUS IMPORT
     LT TRUCK          2,567     4,477   -44.8     38,826     43,668   -11.4
    TOYOTA DIV NA
     BUILT LT TRUCK   26,258    41,441   -39.0    378,076    445,307   -15.4
    LEXUS NA BUILT
     LT TRUCK          4,384     5,625   -24.9     50,592     60,504   -16.7
    TOTAL TOYOTA
     LT TRUCK         57,865    87,334   -36.2    743,044    920,474   -19.6

    SPORT UTILITY
     VEHICLES         31,779    43,243   -29.2    368,036    447,248   -18.0
       Memo: Lexus
        Sport
        Utility        6,951    10,102   -33.7     89,418    104,172   -14.5

    SMALL VANS         8,003     9,610   -19.8    102,890    115,522   -11.3
    PICKUPS           16,426    30,317   -47.8    248,765    310,312   -20.1

    * NORTH AMERICAN BUILT VEHICLES

    COROLLA           20,530    25,788   -23.3    246,576    294,446   -16.6
    CAMRY             30,270    32,643   -10.7    379,259    346,493     9.0
    AVALON             3,543     6,168   -44.7     37,852     60,728   -37.9
    SIENNA             8,003     9,610   -19.8    102,890    115,522   -11.3
    PICKUP            16,426    30,317   -47.8    248,765    310,312   -20.1
    SEQUOIA            1,829     1,514    16.3     26,421     19,473    35.2
    RX                 4,384     5,625   -24.9     50,592     60,504   -16.7
    TOTAL             84,985   111,665   -26.7  1,092,355  1,207,478    -9.9
    N.A. VEHICLES
     % OF TOTAL        55.9%     56.5%              56.2%      54.9%

    SELLING DAYS          27        26                257        256
    DSR = DAILY SELLING RATE

[A Horse With No Name]

Wow, Scion is way off.

Chris

[Satty]

The tC needs a replacement fast. It doesn't need to "grow up" the way the xB did, it needs to remain what it is, only better.

[VenSeattle]

The tC needs a replacement fast. It doesn't need to "grow up" the way the xB did, it needs to remain what it is, only better.

My understanding is that the next-gen tC will use the joint developed RWD/AWD platform between Toyota & Subaru.

[A Horse With No Name]

It needs something. The current TC isn't that much of a car...

Chris

[Satty]

The tC was head of the class when it came out, but the Civic (especially the Si) and Cobalt SS have stolen its thunder.

[A Horse With No Name]

Not to mention about everything else in it's price range. The only advan. it has...it is cheap. 17k vs about 22k for a civic.

I would spend the extra 5k myself.

Chris

[Satty]

Evan at 5 years old, the tC is a better buy than a Focus coupe at sticker. Lucky for most Focus buyers, Ford goes about $8k off sticker on just about everything.

[A Horse With No Name]

I'm not so sure. The TC is better looking, but the Focus has better driving dynamics, Nsync, it's American made, parts are cheaper,etc. Also I like the interior layout better (much better actually) on the Focus.

Also really feel like the Focus is a better built car than the TC. Were I buying a car today, I would buy the Focus if I were forced to choose only between the Focus and TC.

Thankfully, in a couple of years...I am going to spell relief in the form of Solstice, GTI, or MINI Cooper S.

But seriously, I'd rather drive a 5 year old Focus than a new TC, thank you.

Chris

[smk4565]

Prius outsold the Malibu 11,800 to 10,000. The Malibu was supposed to be the savior, and it can't outsell an ugly econo-box that is getting replaced in 4 months. If the Malibu was the best GM could do, they are in trouble.

[Lamar]

Prius outsold the Malibu 11,800 to 10,000. The Malibu was supposed to be the savior, and it can't outsell an ugly econo-box that is getting replaced in 4 months. If the Malibu was the best GM could do, they are in trouble.

You know as well as I do why the Prius outsold the Malibu, and it has nothing to do with looks or quality.

[Satty]

You know as well as I do why the Prius outsold the Malibu, and it has nothing to do with looks or quality.

Well, gas prices started dropping in October, so it has to be something, maybe the Prius having a better image than the Malibu.

[A Horse With No Name]

This is why Gm needs niche cars...they build a loyal following. The Prius isn't my cup of tea, but owners seem to love them.

Chris

[Lamar]

Well, gas prices started dropping in October, so it has to be something, maybe the Prius having a better image than the Malibu.

Depends who you ask.

Speaking of, have you noticed how recent car reviews still talk about gas prices being extremely high? The last new review I read still referred to $4 gas.

[Drew Dowdell]

Well, gas prices started dropping in October, so it has to be something, maybe the Prius having a better image than the Malibu.

GMAC stopped financing cars. It has nothing to do with the cars themselves.

[Robert Hall]

Depends who you ask.

Speaking of, have you noticed how recent car reviews still talk about gas prices being extremely high? The last new review I read still referred to $4 gas.

Probably cause of the long lead times in old media... Oct magazine articles are probably written in August.

[Lamar]

Probably cause of the long lead times in old media... Oct magazine articles are probably written in August.

I thought about that... but then some online articles I had seen still referred to high gas prices.

I'll keep checking...

[Satty]

Reg started a thread bitching about either the Oct. or Nov. issue of C&D having an article on fuel efficiency being too geared towards eco-weenies. The same issue had 3 Corvettes and a Bugatti Veyron on the cover. High gas prices are etched into peoples minds, they're going to take mpgs into account when car shopping just because of what we saw this year.

And if a person goes to drive a Malibu, and decides to buy it, they could get financing from a million companies that aren't GMAC, so I doubt Malibu sales are suppressed by one company not financing, unless dealers are too lazy to try to find other, reasonable options.

[CARBIZ]

Reg started a thread bitching about either the Oct. or Nov. issue of C&D having an article on fuel efficiency being too geared towards eco-weenies. The same issue had 3 Corvettes and a Bugatti Veyron on the cover. High gas prices are etched into peoples minds, they're going to take mpgs into account when car shopping just because of what we saw this year.

And if a person goes to drive a Malibu, and decides to buy it, they could get financing from a million companies that aren't GMAC, so I doubt Malibu sales are suppressed by one company not financing, unless dealers are too lazy to try to find other, reasonable options.

One of the problems is that consumers have grown addicted to 0 down, 0% financing. GM is offering these wierd $5,000 rebates for the Malibu, but the money only goes to the dealer for 'alternate' financing. (In other words, it is NOT a cash rebate and the customer must finance through our bank for 72 months or longer.) I understand the logic, and truthfully it does give the customer about the same payment as what our leases used to be, but the unfortunate affect is to turn us into financial advisors, not product advisors. Virtually every customer I have had in the past few weeks has turned into a lengthy discussion on their 'financing' options and the merits of the vehicle are left by the wayside. It's an unfortunate result of GMAC not being able to finance anything these days.

As bad as things are now, I am also concerned that in 3 1/2 years when the last of the leases I wrote come due, I will be left with a huge hole in my portfolio. 2003 was ugly because in 2000 GMAC swtiched from 3 year to 4 year leases. 2012 will be worse.

That is, of course, assuming GM is around in 2012.

[A Horse With No Name]

Warning-rambling post-

One of the biggest problems here in Ohio is that virtually no one is left with a job to buy a new Chevy.

With decent credit, you should be able to walk through the front door and get a loan through your credit union or bank. The biggest issue to me is that once you start buying your customers off you can never stop buying them off.

Thankfully, this is spreading to the imports. During the Osu-Michigan game, Nissan was advertising 0% and a Versa at $9900. Toyota and Honda also have started playing more and more numbers games with financing to sell cars, on everything other than the Fit and the Prius.

Also, thankfully they seem to be cutting content a little bit. The latest Civic doesn't seem to be as good as the previous cars, and lots of people around here are starting to have problems with Hondas. This is interesting because Hondas are built (most of them, anyways) just north of Columbus here, and central Ohio is Honda central.

Anyways, good luck 'biz...when you ahve to go back to running your own video store because no one is buying cars, I'll come and wire it up for you. Just save me copies of Bullit and Smokey and the Bandit so I can remember when cars were cars, and men were men.

Chris