February 2008 Sales: Toyota (down 3%)

[unkillsam]

Originally Posted by PhishPhood

Re the Camry...

Regardless of what CR recommends or doesn't recommend there are well over 4 Million recent Camry owners in the US since 2000 alone. By far the most important criteria in anyone's purchase decision is personal experience. If someone has been driving one ( or two ) for the last 10 yrs with no problems at all and suddenly CR takes the Camry off the Recommended list, that's interesting but it doesn't outweigh personal experience.

If a dealer has rows and rows of leftover 2007's then that dealer has to be the single worst store in the US. The 07's have been gone since July. What you may be seeing are TRAC vehicles that look like new but actually are USED rentals from that store's TRAC program.

The Prius situation is no surprise with fuel prices going in the direction they are. What is shocking is that the vehicle is in the middle of its 5th year and it's increasing sales. In reply to Igor, there's no way that 30-40% of the sales are to fleets. The Corolla and Camry are the high volume fleet sources at about 15%. I'd estimate that maybe 8-10% go to fleets including the in-house TRAC program.

I would agree with you but there are too many cool-aid drinkers out there.

My brother-in law's 1995 Camry blew a transmission at 30,000 miles.

My father in law's 1999 Oddysey has gone thru 2 transmissions over the course of 112,000 miles.

Both still swear by imports.

Now go find me a domestic owner that has a transmission blow out multiple times and is not pissed off. It is a matter of perception and GM's perception is not as good right now. Change the perception and win the battle.

[Realist]

Originally Posted by unkillsam

I would agree with you but there are too many cool-aid drinkers out there.

My brother-in law's 1995 Camry blew a transmission at 30,000 miles.

My father in law's 1999 Oddysey has gone thru 2 transmissions over the course of 112,000 miles.

Both still swear by imports.

Now go find me a domestic owner that has a transmission blow out multiple times and is not pissed off. It is a matter of perception and GM's perception is not as good right now. Change the perception and win the battle.

My friend has a 1995 Camry with 230,000 miles on it and no major problems. All he's done is routine regular maintenance. What's your point?

Nobody is perfect, not Toyota, GM, or anyone else.

Yes, the perception still is that Toyota and Honda make good vehicles, because for the most part they do. GM and the other American automakers still carry a perception they make bad vehicles, even though they've improved greatly.

Perception is key, and all GM can do is deal with it and try to change it.

[silvergoat2k6]

So much for Malibu stealing Camry sales...Toyota sold almost 35K Camrys in February.

[Realist]

Originally Posted by silvergoat2k6

So much for Malibu stealing Camry sales...Toyota sold almost 35K Camrys in February.

Whether we like it or hate it, Camry sales look unstoppable even in this tough market right now.

Accord sales are a different story, and Honda may have messed up with the new Accord.

[GM lover]

All those negative numbers look fantastic.

[GM lover]

In regards to the Prius, I see two numbers one that says it is down 14% for the month but up 6% for the year. How are these numbers different? And are Prius sales up or down I do not fully understand?

[camaro_freak]

Originally Posted by BrickTamland

2008 is going to be a declining year for most automakers, including Toyota, which had big time sales in 2007, which obviously can not be replicated with a consumers' spending habits finally catching up to their incomes.

yup.. pretty much sums it up..

[Ambalanche]

Originally Posted by Realist

Whether we like it or hate it, Camry sales look unstoppable even in this tough market right now.

Accord sales are a different story, and Honda may have messed up with the new Accord.

While I agree with Honda messing up the Accord, I haven't seen sales numbers for it for Feb. Is it down?

[lio45]

Originally Posted by Ambalanche

While I agree with Honda messing up the Accord, I haven't seen sales numbers for it for Feb. Is it down?

The Accord is down 12.7%. Honda overall is up (basically thanks to Fit, Civic, CR-V, Pilot).

[silvergoat2k6]

Originally Posted by lio45

The Accord is down 12.7%. Honda overall is up (basically thanks to Fit, Civic, CR-V, Pilot).

Link please?

[Stéphane Dumas]

Originally Posted by lio45

The Accord is down 12.7%. Honda overall is up (basically thanks to Fit, Civic, CR-V, Pilot).

what about Acura?

[Hunid Racks]

Originally Posted by BrickTamland

Wow, 2009 Camrys go on sale in a couple weeks? Add another car to the list of short or non-existent 2008 model years - Murano, Corolla, Camry, etc.

Toyota must be trying to win some award from Motor Trend. Heck it worked with the Tundra.

[Hunid Racks]

BTW

Anybody else notice how dismal Scion "sales" are?

Rumor is, the brand dies soon.

[PhishPhood]

Originally Posted by GM lover

In regards to the Prius, I see two numbers one that says it is down 14% for the month but up 6% for the year. How are these numbers different? And are Prius sales up or down I do not fully understand?

They way oversold January as compared to last year and undersold last Feb by a little. In total for the two month the net is a sales gain.

[lio45]

Originally Posted by silvergoat2k6

Link please?

American Honda Reports Record February Sales