Toyota's slow recovery continues, but with many unknown challenges ahead.
Toyota Motor Sales (TMS) U.S.A. today reported March sales results of 176,222 units, down 5.7% from a year ago on a volume basis. The Toyota Division posted March sales of 155,540 units, a decrease of 6.7% from the year-ago month. The Lexus Division reported total sales of 20,682 units, up 2.3% March. Overall, based on preliminary numbers, it looks like the industry is up roughly 12%.
Nissan North America, Inc. (NNA) reported March U.S. sales of 121,141 units versus 95,468 units a year earlier, an increase of 27%, and a record for any month in NNA’s history on a volume basis. Nissan Division sales also set a new sales record, up 28.4 percent for the month at 109,854 units. Nissan Altima bounced the Toyota Camry from the Number One Car sales spot in the U.S. Sales of Infiniti vehicles rose 13.5% over the prior year, to 11,287 units. For the quarter NNA posted sales of 228,229, an increase of 25%.
American Honda Motor Co. posted March sales of 133,650, an increase of 19% based on the daily selling rate. March marks the sixth straight month of double-digit sales increases for American Honda. The Honda Accord also outsold (barely) the Toyota Camry. American Honda year-to-date sales of 307,978 represent an increase of 18.5%.
For the first quarter, TMS reported sales of 433,924 vehicles, an increase of 12.5% on an unadjusted raw volume basis. During the first quarter of 2010, Toyota briefly stopped selling cars to conduct safety recalls for sticking accelerator pedals and unintended accelerator.
“The events in Japan had little if any impact on March sales,” said Bob Carter, Toyota Division group vice president and general manager, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A.
Carter noted that the U.S. and Japanese production situation “continues to remain fluid,” but noted that TMS is going into the spring selling season with 352,000 vehicles, a 55-day supply based on current selling rates.
“Our thoughts are with our employees, business partners and their families in Japan during this difficult time,” Carter said.
Toyota Division
Toyota Division passenger cars had combined sales of 91,324 units, down 1.2% from last March on a daily selling rate basis, which was adjusted for one more selling day during the month. Passenger car sales were led by Camry and Camry Hybrid with combined sales of 31,464 units for the month, and Corolla reported combined March sales of 30,234 units. The Prius mid-size gas-electric hybrid posted March sales of 18,605 units, up 52%.
Toyota Division light trucks recorded March sales of 64,216 units, a decrease of 20.4
% year-over-year. Light truck sales were led by the RAV4 compact SUV, which posted monthly sales of 16,082, while Highlander and Highlander Hybrid reported combined sales of 9,828 units for the month. The 4Runner mid-size SUV recorded sales of 4,369 units; the Tacoma midsize pickup posted sales of 10,144 units; and the Tundra full-size pickup reported sales of 7,515. The Sienna minivan recorded sales of 10,449, an increase of 29.4%.
Scion posted March sales of 5,540 units, an increase of 57.8% year-over-year. The new tC sports coupe led the way with sales of 2,481 units, up 113.7% over last March. The xB urban utility vehicle posted March sales of 1,970 units, an increase of 16.4% over the year-ago month. The xD reported sales of 1,089 units for the month, up 37.4% over last March.
Lexus Division
Lexus reported passenger car sales of 10,503 units, up 0.5% over last March. The entry luxury sedan ES led Lexus passenger car sales with sales of 3,732 units, while the IS lineup reported combined sales of 2,956 units. The all-new CT 200h hybrid posted 2,199 units in its first month of sales – a strong showing that was helped by rising gasoline prices.
Lexus light trucks recorded sales of 10,179 units, down 3.5% from last March. Lexus light truck sales were led by the RX luxury utility vehicle, which posted combined March sales of 8,600 units, up 2.7% over the year-ago month. The GX mid-size luxury utility vehicle reported sales of 1,238 units.
TMS Hybrids
TMS posted March sales of 24,739 hybrid vehicles, an increase 42.5% compared to the same period last year. Toyota Division posted sales of 20,839 hybrids for the month, up 44.1 %over the year-ago month. Lexus Division reported sales 3,900 hybrids in March, an increase of 34.8% over March 2010.
