Toyota Reports Best Ever April Sales, up 8%

[vanshmack]

Originally Posted by grayhorse

Don't count those splinter products!

You mean like the Mountaineer and Aviator?

[mrfunji]

Arriving in showrooms the last week of April, the all-new Camry Hybrid had early sales of 86 units.

Why include such a stupid stat. I don't care if it came out a day or a month ago, 86 models sold is meaningless to everyone.

And with all the hype Toyota claims about these hybrids, you'd figure there would be a waiting list for these Camry hybrids ... 86 units in the week is not all that impressive anyways.

I mean the Solstice sold 1000 units in the first 43 minutes and the car wasn't even available. I'm sure the Sky sold more units in the first week too.

[grumbles]

I didn't know the Camry Hybrid was on sale yet.

I can't wait to see how well it does, I'd imagine that it will sell extremely well during the summer months.

Originally Posted by mrfunji

Why include such a stupid stat. I don't care if it came out a day or a month ago, 86 models sold is meaningless to everyone.

And with all the hype Toyota claims about these hybrids, you'd figure there would be a waiting list for these Camry hybrids ... 86 units in the week is not all that impressive anyways.

Er, most dealerships already have down payments on the hybrid Camrys coming in. There are wait lists.

[1931Chevy]

And heres something the American wannabe Toyota has builded less cars this year

NORTH AMERICAN BUILT VEHICLES
COROLLA 30,769 33,485 -4.6 104,819 112,040 -5.5
CAMRY 34,299 39,495 -9.8 117,476 135,762 -12.6
AVALON 8,239 9,229 -7.3 30,782 24,662 26.1
SIENNA 13,912 13,471 7.2 54,302 47,914 14.5
PICKUP 24,057 26,079 -4.2 97,689 92,901 6.2
SEQUOIA 2,771 4,039 -28.8 11,839 16,164 -26.0
RX 330 5,361 5,974 -6.8 20,669 20,860 0.1
TOTAL 119,408 131,772 -5.9 437,576 450,303 -1.9

[Geotpf]

Originally Posted by toronado10

Is their year on track to overtake GM this year? I haven't been keeping track, but Toyota was expecting a big gain to get to #1.

GM's sales domestically are still more than 50% higher than Toyota's domestically, but the gap is closing.

Toyota's sales in April were 219,965; GM's were 345,404.

But last year, Toyota's sales in April were 210,446 and GM's were 385,939.

Let's assume the direction and size of that drop is steady, in terms of number of units (not true, but makes things easier). The difference between the two is about 50,000 cars less this year than last (with GM shrinking four times as fast as Toyota is growing, again, in terms of number of units). The difference between the two is about 125,000 units. Sooooooo, looks like Toyota would overtake GM in about two and a half years, if that trend continues at the same pace.

[ScottS]

Originally Posted by 1931Chevy

I DONT THINK THE NEW CAMRY STOLED SALES FROM ANYONE
2005 2006
CAMRY 40,203 40,435 3.3

and the escape sold more than the rav 4
Escape 16,011 vs Rav 4 13,854

Stoled?

Anyhow, the Escape had 0% for 60 months and downpayment assistance while the RAV4 had nothing for incentives.

And if you add the brand new Torrent & Equinox together, they don't outsell the Escape which is how many years old? Throw the VUE in if you want, but then also throw in the Tribute and Mariner sales too.

[Geotpf]

Originally Posted by 1931Chevy

And heres something the American wannabe Toyota has builded less cars this year

NORTH AMERICAN BUILT VEHICLES
COROLLA 30,769 33,485 -4.6 104,819 112,040 -5.5
CAMRY 34,299 39,495 -9.8 117,476 135,762 -12.6
AVALON 8,239 9,229 -7.3 30,782 24,662 26.1
SIENNA 13,912 13,471 7.2 54,302 47,914 14.5
PICKUP 24,057 26,079 -4.2 97,689 92,901 6.2
SEQUOIA 2,771 4,039 -28.8 11,839 16,164 -26.0
RX 330 5,361 5,974 -6.8 20,669 20,860 0.1
TOTAL 119,408 131,772 -5.9 437,576 450,303 -1.9

Sales are growing.

Thier North American plants have been maxed out since forever. They are running at something like 107% of capacity.

So, the growth has to come from Japan.

Toyota does have a huge truck plant opening in Texas, followed by a SUV plant in Canada, plus they are taking over half of Subaru's Indiana plant. None of that is on-line yet, though.

[Geotpf]

Originally Posted by mrfunji

Why include such a stupid stat. I don't care if it came out a day or a month ago, 86 models sold is meaningless to everyone.

And with all the hype Toyota claims about these hybrids, you'd figure there would be a waiting list for these Camry hybrids ... 86 units in the week is not all that impressive anyways.

I mean the Solstice sold 1000 units in the first 43 minutes and the car wasn't even available. I'm sure the Sky sold more units in the first week too.

I'm sure there were more than 86 people on waiting lists for one throughout the country-just that only 86 managed to get into a customer's hands. They didn't do a company wide sale like GM did for the Solstice.

[Havasavana]

Originally Posted by mrfunji

Why include such a stupid stat. I don't care if it came out a day or a month ago, 86 models sold is meaningless to everyone.

Talk about a meaningless stat, how about Chevrolet Classic sales for the month coming in as "-1". Can that be a record?

[markusername]

Originally Posted by toronado10

Is their year on track to overtake GM this year? I haven't been keeping track, but Toyota was expecting a big gain to get to #1.

Your thinking on a global basis. Globally Toyota is expected to overtake GM as #1 probably this year or next.

On the local (US) level if it were to happen it would still be years away (assuming current increases for Toyota and current decreases for GM were to continue in a linear fashion). However, I think that GM is showing good improvement as they replace older cars with new models so I don't know if Toyota would overtake them on a local level (barring a bankruptcy).

[grayhorse]

Originally Posted by vanshmack

You mean like the Mountaineer and Aviator?

It is with these products the future of Mark Fields & Rick Wagoner lies.

[grayhorse]

Originally Posted by Geotpf

GM's sales domestically are still more than 50% higher than Toyota's domestically, but the gap is closing.

Toyota's sales in April were 219,965; GM's were 345,404.

But last year, Toyota's sales in April were 210,446 and GM's were 385,939.

Let's assume the direction and size of that drop is steady, in terms of number of units (not true, but makes things easier). The difference between the two is about 50,000 cars less this year than last (with GM shrinking four times as fast as Toyota is growing, again, in terms of number of units). The difference between the two is about 125,000 units. Sooooooo, looks like Toyota would overtake GM in about two and a half years, if that trend continues at the same pace.

Toyota will overtake GM if GM will rely on Aztek. But with the launch of GMT900 pick-up trucks later this year and the new products of Saturn and if problems with Delphi & Union is resolved, Toyota would overtake GM 2 centuries from now. GM China & India is performing well and GM Europe is not lossing money anymore!

[asim]

Originally Posted by Mcmflow

I see 07 Camrys all over the place, and they just came out.

I have seen at least 10 of them...and I admire that vehicle greatly.

[sigma]

Originally Posted by markusername

Your thinking on a global basis. Globally Toyota is expected to overtake GM as #1 probably this year or next.

On the local (US) level if it were to happen it would still be years away (assuming current increases for Toyota and current decreases for GM were to continue in a linear fashion). However, I think that GM is showing good improvement as they replace older cars with new models so I don't know if Toyota would overtake them on a local level (barring a bankruptcy).

^Agreed. With the new pickups coming this fall, GM will have another shot in the arm with cash. But they have to continue to improve the Impala (which is finally competitive), overhaul the Lacrosse entirely and the interiors of the Epsilons, refresh the Delta's (to compete with the new Civic and upcoming Corolla)-including adding DI to the Ecotech to better gas mileage. The Zeta's need to be a hit when launched, and Epsilon II needs to arrive before 2010 with the new Malibu, G6 and LaCrosse on it. Also, BAS hybrid system's as an option on all of the above cars would also be a good idea.

GM cannot ignore passenger cars anymore if it wants to retain its position as #1, or even been seen as competitive in the auto industry. The Japanese automakers are attacking Detroit's last strongholds with their new pick-ups and trucks. GM needs to defend these key products (which they are doing admirably well) and attack the Japanese stronghold in sedans.

[K-1]

Don't most car companies book a "sale" when the vehicle leaves the factory for a dealer lot? So with Toyota increasing production, of course "sales" are going up.