Toyota Reports Best-Ever Sales Month and Record-Breaking
First Quarter
TORRANCE, Calif., April 3 Toyota Motor Sales (TMS),
U.S.A., Inc., today reported best-ever single-month sales of 156,444 vehicles,
up 11.4 percent over last year's best-ever March. The strong sales month
closed out a record-breaking first quarter that totaled 398,523 units, an
increase of 0.5 percent over the same period last year.
"Amid the current mixed bag of economic indicators, strong consumer
spending continues to drive industry sales," said Jim Press, TMS executive
vice president and COO. "Clearly, the economic slowdown has not impacted all
segments and all manufacturers."
Toyota Division recorded a best-ever month with sales of 135,729 units, up
9.7 percent. The Lexus Division enjoyed best-ever March sales of 20,715
sales, an increase of 24.0 percent over the previous record set last year.
Toyota Division light trucks fueled the record month, with 62,450 units
sold, up 37.5 percent over last year's best-ever March. The redesigned RAV4
compact sport utility vehicle (SUV) led light-truck sales with best-ever sales
of 8,748, up 124.3 percent. The all-new Highlander mid-size SUV followed
closely behind with impressive sales of 8,215 units in its second full month
on the market. The all-new Sequoia full-size SUV sales climbed steadily to
6,201 units. The restyled Tacoma compact pickup recorded 14,478 sales, an
increase of 15.3 percent, while the Tundra full-size pickup enjoyed sales of
8,970 units, up 8.0 percent.
Camry sales increased to 36,436 sales, up 1.0 percent over the same period
last year, while the Prius gas/electric hybrid sedan generated 1,378 sales.
The Lexus Division's record March was led by strong passenger-car sales of
13,285 units, up 75.4 percent. The redesigned LS 430 luxury sedan led the
line-up with 3,021 units sold, an increase of 192.4 percent. The all-new IS
300 sport sedan posted steady sales of 2,714 units. The all-new SC 430
hardtop convertible enjoyed an introductory month of 2,112 sales.
Sales of North American-built vehicles accounted for 60.7 percent of total
March sales.
TOYOTA/LEXUS SALES
MARCH, 2001
- CURRENT MONTH - - CALENDAR YEAR TO DATE -
DSR % DSR %
2001 2000 CHG 2001 2000 CHG
TOTAL VEHICLE
SALES 156,444 140,393 11.4 398,523 396,374 0.5
Memo: Total
Toyota Div. 135,729 123,683 9.7 346,983 351,581 -1.3
Memo: Total
Lexus Div. 20,715 16,710 24.0 51,540 44,793 15.1
TOYOTA DIV.
IMPORT CAR 15,750 21,916 -28.1 48,240 65,163 -26.0
LEXUS IMPORT CAR 13,285 7,573 75.4 31,074 19,700 57.7
TOYOTA DIV NA
BUILT CARS 57,529 56,334 2.1 142,701 158,745 -10.1
TOTAL TOYOTA CARS 86,564 85,823 0.9 222,015 243,608 -8.9
SPORT UTILITY
VEHICLES 38,660 24,348 58.8 95,631 69,280 38.0
Memo: Lexus
Sport Utility 7,430 9,137 -18.7 20,466 25,093 -18.4
SMALL VANS 7,772 9,363 -17.0 20,235 25,344 -20.2
PICKUPS 23,448 20,859 12.4 60,642 58,142 4.3
* NORTH AMERICAN
BUILT VEHICLES
COROLLA 19,853 21,154 -6.2 55,656 58,720 -5.2
CAMRY 30,476 25,238 20.8 67,531 72,882 -7.3
AVALON 7,200 9,942 -27.6 19,514 27,143 -28.1
SIENNA 7,772 9,363 -17.0 20,235 25,344 -20.2
PICKUP 23,448 20,858 12.4 60,642 58,136 4.3
SEQUOIA 6,201 0 #N/A 15,695 0 #N/A
TOTAL 94,950 86,555 9.7 239,273 242,225 -1.2
N.A. VEHICLES
% OF TOTAL 60.7% 61.7% 60.0% 61.1%
SELLING DAYS 27 27 77 77
DSR = DAILY SELLING RATE
