Toyota Records Best-Ever April Sales for the Fifth Consecutive Year

    TORRANCE, Calif., May 1 Following the best-ever first
quarter sales in its history, Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., today
reported best-ever April sales of 141,058 vehicles, an increase of 6.7 percent
over last year's record-setting month, and the company's fifth consecutive
best-ever April.

    "The economy continues to chug along at a moderate pace, driven by
surprisingly strong consumer spending," said Jim Press, TMS executive vice
president and COO.  "Although industry sales have slowed overall, key segments
remain strong."

    The record-setting month was led by a balanced attack, achieving best-ever
April sales in both light truck and passenger car segments with increases of
16.5 and 0.3 percent, respectively.

    Both TMS sales divisions recorded best-ever April sales.  The Toyota
Division reported record-breaking sales of 122,254, an increase of
5.0 percent.  The Lexus Division enjoyed its best-ever April with sales of
18,804 vehicles, an increase of 19.3 percent.

    Toyota Division light trucks posted best-ever April sales of 54,708, an
increase of 25.1 percent.  The sales charge was led by the redesigned RAV4
compact sport utility vehicle (SUV) with best-ever April sales of 7,075 units
sold, up 95.6 percent.  Two all-new vehicles, the Highlander mid-size SUV and
Sequoia full-size SUV continued to post strong sales with 6,847 and
5,417 units sold, respectively.  The Tacoma compact pickup also enjoyed a
strong April with 12,553 sales, an increase of 5.6 percent over the same
period last year.

    Toyota Division passenger car sales were led by Camry with April sales of
34,080, an increase of 3.2 percent.  The continued popularity of the Prius
gas/electric hybrid sedan generated 872 sales.

    The Lexus Division's record-breaking sales month was paced by best-ever
April passenger car sales of 12,162 units, up 78.5 percent.  The sales charge
was led by the redesigned LS 430 luxury sedan with 2,744 units sold, an
increase of 200.9 percent.  The all-new SC 430 hardtop convertible contributed
1,671 sales, up 7,165.2 percent.  The all-new IS 300 sport sedan posted steady
sales of 2,506 units.

    Sales of North American-built vehicles accounted for 62.1 percent of total
April sales.