Nonetheless Toyota remained the largest retail sales maker for the second consecutive year.
Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A. today reported annual sales of 1,763,595 vehicles – the same as Toyota posted during 2009 in an auto market that grew at double digit rates for most other major makers, including 19% at Ford Motor and 18% at Nissan North America.
As a result of the poor performance, Toyota lost its Number Two U.S. Sales spot to Ford Motor. Sales of the Toyota brand also dropped below Chevrolet and Ford brands for the first time in years.
Still, Toyota remains solidly in third place for corporate sales, trailed by more than 500,000 units at Honda; 700,000 at Chrysler, and 800,000 at Nissan.
It was the most challenging time in the 53-year history of Toyota’s U.S. sales arm. Toyota stopped new vehicle sales in January 2010 to conduct reputation damaging recalls for stuck gas pedals and unintended acceleration safety defects.
Toyota Motor Sales had taken second place several years ago, and was then thought to be pressing General Motors for the Number One automaker sales crown. All that is now a distant memory at the quality and recalled troubled automaker.
Toyota Division recorded year-end sales of 1,534,266 vehicles, flat from the prior year.
Lexus reported sales of 229,329 units in 2010, up 6.9% over 2009. Scion Division reported sales of 45,678 units for the year.
Still, Toyota is a force to be reckoned with in the market, and it will replace major products this year and expand its line of Prius hybrid vehicles.
“Toyota remained the best-selling retail brand for the third consecutive year, Camry was again the best-selling car in America for the ninth straight year and Lexus retained its place as the best-selling luxury brand for the eleventh year in a row,” said Don Esmond, senior vice president of automotive operations, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A.
