Toyota Reports 2005 Best-Ever August Sales

[genjy]

TORRANCE, Calif., Sept. 1 -- Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., today reported its best-ever August sales of 205,362 vehicles, an increase of 9.5 percent. Calendar-year-to-date (CYTD) sales total 1,535,849, up 11.4 percent over the same period last year.

"Even as the impact of employee pricing wanes and pump prices climb, the industry presses ahead on the strength of new products and hybrid technology," said Jim Press, TMS president and COO.

The Toyota Division posted best-ever August sales of 177,237, up 10.0 percent. The Lexus Division reported best-ever August sales with 28,125 units sold, an increase of 6.5 percent.

Toyota Division passenger cars recorded best-ever August sales of 105,572, up 18.2 percent over the same period last year. The all-new 2005 Avalon full-size sedan recorded August sales of 9,020, up 200.7 percent. The Prius gas-electric hybrid mid-size sedan enjoyed best-ever August sales of 9,850, an increase of 115.6 percent. Camry sales rose 7.7 percent with 39,896 units sold, while Corolla sales were at 31,369 units, up 2.3 percent.

Toyota Division light truck sales totaled 71,665 units for the month. Light truck sales were led by the Tacoma pickup truck with sales of 16,140, up 17.7 percent over the same period last year. Sienna van sales rose 14.8 percent for a best-ever August, with 14,479 units sold, while RAV4 compact SUV sales were at 7,380, up 11.2 percent. The Highlander Hybrid gas-electric mid-size SUV, which launched in early June, reported sales of 2,925 units in August. The Highlander and Highlander Hybrid posted combined August sales of 13,042, up 7.6 percent.

Scion reported best-ever August sales with 15,228 units sold. The tC sports coupe, which debuted last summer, led the way with best-ever August sales of 7,464 units, an increase of 40.2 percent over last August. The xA recorded sales of 2,805 units for the month, up 10.8 percent.

Lexus passenger cars posted August sales with 14,626 units, an increase of 19.3 percent. Sales momentum remained strong with best-ever August sales of the GS 300, which posted sales of 2,811 units and an increase of 304.0 percent, while the GS 430 posted sales of 524 units, an increase of 342.0 percent. The ES 330 luxury sedan enjoyed sales of 7,345 units, an increase of 6.5 percent over the same period last year.

Lexus Division light truck sales totaled 13,499 units for the month. The LX 470 full-size luxury utility vehicle sales rose 22.3 percent in August for a total of 889 units, while the GX 470 recorded August sales totaling 2,966. The 2006 RX 400h, launched in April as the world's first luxury hybrid vehicle, reported sales of 2,607 units for the month. The RX 330 and RX 400h posted combined August sales of 9,644 units.

Sales of North American-built vehicles accounted for 59.7 percent of total August sales. There were 26 selling days this sales month compared to 25 last August.

Chart and source: http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2...01/141875.html

[Ming]

Scion reported best-ever August sales with 15,228 units sold

vs.

Buick: 23,094

Cadillac:19,262

Saturn: 20,162

HUMMER: 6,367

Saab: 2,726

[mrfunji]

Toyota has just become the New York Yankees. They always find a way to perservere no matter what happens. Just more reason for me to hate Toyota (plus I'm from Boston)

[dindak]

Amazing that Toyota just keeps rolling. Blows my mind that new people are lured in to these cars like a cult group. Their reputation certainly trumps the reality of their cars.

Can't fault them though, that's business.

[Buick61]

It is quite amazing. Good for Toyota. They really know how to appease their buyers.

How do they do it? Their commericals aren't innovative or memorable, their cars aren't standouts in terms of design, handling, power, or price, their dealers receive low marks for sales and service satisfaction, and their quality isn't as bulletproof as some suggest. Yet, people pay a handsome premium for their cars. Amazing.

[saturnsteve]

I hate to say it, but I helped contribute to this. I bought a 2005 Camry XLE, and man this was a hard decision to make. My wife fell in love with this car, and I gotta say it's really nice. If Saturn had the Aura out already, like they should have, I would still have two Saturn's in my garage!

[Whirling_Dervish]

Originally Posted by dindak

Amazing that Toyota just keeps rolling. Blows my mind that new people are lured in to these cars like a cult group. Their reputation certainly trumps the reality of their cars.

Can't fault them though, that's business.

Give the people what they want instead of dictating to the people what they want.......you listening GM?

If you look purely at available options and standard equipment, Toyota consisantly beats GM and others to the punch. The Koreans are taking this tactic to another level, so its no wonder they are seeing great growth.

[New_Mexico_Sunset_on_Rt66]

Sickening. All of the ads for the 'GM Emplyee Discount' are having an inverse effect. Folks see the ad, the seed to buy a new car is planted, then they visit the competitors dealership. Sickening.

I think the 'seasoned' citizens are now buying the 'new Buick', the Avalon. I read an article a few years back stating that Toyota built a better Buick than Buick, with the Avalon.

As far as comparing the Scion numbers to the rest of the GM brands. I'm not sure if the point is the say that the GM brands did better, but those numbers are pretty close to the GM, by brand, numbers. Not bad for a new company.

[genjy]

Originally Posted by New_Mexico_Sunset_on_Rt66

As far as comparing the Scion numbers to the rest of the GM brands. I'm not sure if the point is the say that the GM brands did better, but those numbers are pretty close to the GM, by brand, numbers. Not bad for a new company.

Scion is a company with 3 small funky models. 15k is pretty impressive, especially with employee discounts going against it.

[Whirling_Dervish]

Originally Posted by genjy

Scion is a company with 3 small funky models. 15k is pretty impressive, especially with employee discounts going against it.

And they are hatches and coupe body styles.....the very body styles domestic makers claim do not sell in significant numbers to warrant a fast replacement to the Camaro or a proper Saab hatch.

[drew770]

The one thing in business is you have to learn about your enemy and I would like for someone (Wagoner) from GM to explain with all the employee discounts and gimmicks why Toyota continues to out perform them? Don't forget Honda and Nissan!

I am sorry but there will be no conquest sales for GM with any of the Chevys they have.
The closest thing that might take sales is Aura and we still have to wait a year for that one.

[GM_Fanatic]

Originally Posted by saturnsteve

I hate to say it, but I helped contribute to this. I bought a 2005 Camry XLE, and man this was a hard decision to make. My wife fell in love with this car, and I gotta say it's really nice. If Saturn had the Aura out already, like they should have, I would still have two Saturn's in my garage!

I have lost all respect for you. Apparently your wife wears the pants in the household.

...haha I'm sorry, I'm just giving you a hard time

[Whirling_Dervish]

Originally Posted by drew770

The one thing in business is you have to learn about your enemy and I would like for someone (Wagoner) from GM to explain with all the employee discounts and gimmicks why Toyota continues to out perform them? Don't forget Honda and Nissan!

I am sorry but there will be no conquest sales for GM with any of the Chevys they have.
The closest thing that might take sales is Aura and we still have to wait a year for that one.

There is a phsychology at play they don't seem to get.

Perpetual discounts seem like a form of bribery. "Buy this car, and BTW, here's little extra for the trouble". Whereas with the competition its more like, "Buy this car and look at all the cool features not offered in the other guy's car." Which of the two feels better to the consumer?

Instead of incentives and discounts GM would be better served by putting $1500-3000 (the money they lose on fire sales) extra in technology and equipment into their wares and selling them on their merits. It'd build brand equity, residual values, improve leases, and raise product cachet with the consumer.

[gmwsag]

Saab, Buick, and Cadillac are all established brands that have been around for over 30 years. Buick being around for almost 100 years...Cadillac for over 100. Scion has been around for 2 years, already selling 15,000+ units. HUMMER has only sold 7,000 units and Saab, a very disappointing 3,000. Hmmm....talk about great advertising, strategic pricing, and a great name. Scion has already found their core buyers and their brand identity... Saab has been missing one for almost 10 years.

[ghughes]

Idiot Americans who dont know how to act in their own best economic interests - that is what I see -