Toyota's May 2008 Sales: Down 7.9%

[Buick61]

June 3, 2008 - Torrance, CA - Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., today reported May sales of 257,404 vehicles, a decrease of 7.9 percent from last May, on a daily selling rate basis.

"The all-new Corolla really found its stride this month," said TMS President Jim Lentz. "Launched amid soaring fuel prices and economic uncertainty, Corolla strikes a sweet spot for buyers seeking refinement in addition to fuel efficiency and affordability."

The Toyota Division posted May sales of 230,811, a decrease of 6.3 percent from last May. The Lexus Division reported May sales of 26,593 units, a decrease of 19.6 percent from the year-ago month.

Toyota Division

Toyota Division passenger cars recorded May sales of 152,652 units, down 0.9 percent over the same period last year. Passenger-car sales were led by Corolla, which posted all-time best-ever sales of 52,826 units, an increase of 12.4 percent over May 2007. Camry and Camry Hybrid posted combined sales of 51,291 in May. Camry Hybrid reported May sales of 5,999 units. With limited availability, the Prius hybrid gas-electric mid-size sedan posted May sales of 15,011 units. Yaris reported all-time best-ever sales of 14,397 units, up 26.6 percent over the year-ago month.

Toyota Division light trucks recorded May sales of 78,159 units, down 15.3 percent from May 2007. Light truck sales were led by the Tacoma mid-size pickup, reporting May sales of 17,341 units, up 4.2 percent over May 2007. The Tundra full-size pickup posted May sales of 12,144 units. Highlander and Highlander Hybrid posted combined sales of 10,841 units in May. The Highlander Hybrid gas-electric mid-size SUV reported May sales of 2,644 units. Sequoia posted sales of 3,575 units for the month, up 75 percent over the same period last year.

Scion posted May sales of 14,858 units, up 28.4 percent over the year ago month. The xB urban utility vehicle led the way with May sales of 5,351 units, an increase of 40.9 percent over last May. The tC sports coupe, entering its fifth model year, posted May sales of 5,166 units. The xD reported all-time best-ever sales of 4,337 units.

Lexus Division

Lexus passenger cars reported May sales of 16,290 units, a decrease of 21.3 percent from May 2007. Passenger-car sales were led by the ES entry luxury sedan with May sales of 6,831 units. The IS entry luxury sport sedan reported combined sales of 5,420 units. The LS flagship luxury sedan reported combined sales of 2,115 units. Sales of the GS luxury sport sedan reported combined May sales of 1,708 units.

Lexus Division light trucks reported May sales totaling 10,303 units, down 16.7 percent from the year-ago month. Lexus sales were led by the RX luxury utility vehicle, which posted combined May sales of 8,082 units. The RX 400h hybrid luxury utility vehicle reported May sales of 2,155 units, up 19 percent over the year-ago month. The all-new LX 570 enjoyed sales of 827 units, an increase of 201.7 percent versus the same period last year

TMS Hybrids

TMS calendar-year-to-date hybrid sales totaled 127,353 units. TMS posted May sales of 26,019 hybrid vehicles. Toyota Division posted sales of 23,654 hybrids for the month. Lexus Division posted May sales of 2,365 hybrids, an 18 percent increase over the same period last year.

There were 27 selling days this month, as compared to 26 selling days last May.

Link to release (with sales chart)

[Sal Collaziano]

...and yet the Camry and Corolla have overtaken Ford F150 and Chevy Silverado sales...
http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f...o-sales-65034/

[K-1]

The Corolla either took a very major fleet dump or everybody and their uncle decided to buy one last month. Based on the previous months' sales numbers, I'd have to go with the former.

[Buick61]

The Prius' sales were off almost 40%! This is the first Toyota mentioned a supply issue relating to that car, so I'm not sure what to believe.

And the Tundra took a beating, too.

But the Corolla, Yaris, Scion xB and xD all had substantial increases. The Camry was off a bit, but had still a tremendous total.

[BrickTamland]

I was surprised with the Prius decline. Considering how hot fuel efficiency is and how well the Prius has been doing, posting increases month over month even at the end of its design cycle, I am inclined to believe Toyota in that they had supply issues. This was the first I heard of it - I wonder if they are already starting the factory changes for the new model?

[megeebee]

The all-new LX 570 enjoyed sales of 827 units, an increase of 201.7 percent versus the same period last year

I realize this segment is imploding recently. But if 827 units is a 200% increase, it suprises me. I thought the LX sold a little better than that. Still, the old model was pretty long-in-tooth by the time it was replaced.


And how do figure that selling 1000 more units adds up to a 1.5% decline?

CAMRY (2008)51,291 (2007)50,126 -1.5

[Tiger]

Lexus is down 20% across the board...nothing increased!

Yaris sold as many as the entire Scion brand. Doh!

Tundra sales are down 35%. Yikes.

FJ Cruiser is off by 40%.

(drum roll please)

Prius is down by 40%? How can that be? Corolla spanked it!

[Aprime]

Originally Posted by K-1

The Corolla either took a very major fleet dump or everybody and their uncle decided to buy one last month. Based on the previous months' sales numbers, I'd have to go with the former.

And you'd be wrong, if I take into account the number of new one's I've seen, none with 'Enterprise' or such badges... Nah, that's the Caliber and Focus.

Originally Posted by Tiger

Prius is down by 40%? How can that be? Corolla spanked it!

Availability?

[K-1]

Originally Posted by Aprime

And you'd be wrong, if I take into account the number of new one's I've seen, none with 'Enterprise' or such badges... Nah, that's the Caliber and Focus.

Empirical evidence means jack-squat.

[Aprime]

Originally Posted by K-1

Empirical evidence means jack-squat.

You're just pissed because it sells more than you'd expect it to.

Don't get me wrong, I don't like it either, but apparently people do.

After all, it's basically a small Camry, and the Camry's number one now.

[Buick61]

Originally Posted by megeebee

I realize this segment is imploding recently. But if 827 units is a 200% increase, it suprises me. I thought the LX sold a little better than that. Still, the old model was pretty long-in-tooth by the time it was replaced.


And how do figure that selling 1000 more units adds up to a 1.5% decline?

It's on an adjusted basis. There were more selling days in May 2008 than there were in May 2007.

[megeebee]

Originally Posted by K-1

Empirical evidence means jack-squat.

And by the way, the type of "evidence" APRIME notes is andecdotal. Empirical refers to tried and tested in a scientific manner and therefore is not "jack-squat".

[megeebee]

As for the Corolla outdoing the Prius; perhaps it's becasue it's cheaper than the Prius?

[K-1]

Originally Posted by Aprime

You're just pissed because it sells more than you'd expect it to.

Don't get me wrong, I don't like it either, but apparently people do.

After all, it's basically a small Camry, and the Camry's number one now.

Jan: 20,736
Feb: 21,202
Mar: 25,109
Apr: 32,435
May: 52,826

Come on now...

[K-1]

Originally Posted by megeebee

And by the way, the type of "evidence" APRIME notes is andecdotal. Empirical refers to tried and tested in a scientific manner and therefore is not "jack-squat".

Empirical: derived as knowledge from experience, particularly from sensory observation, and not derived from the application of logic.