TMS Reports Best-Ever October Sales
4 November 1998
TMS Reports Best-Ever October Sales; Records Eighth-Consecutive Month of 100,000-Plus Sales
TORRANCE, Calif., Nov. 3 -- Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A.,
Inc., reported today best-ever October sales of 121,216, up 26.8 percent over
last year. Calendar-year-to-date (CYTD) sales totaled 1,118,401, an increase
of 8.8 percent compared to the same period last year. TMS also reported best-
ever October passenger car and light truck sales, 74,136 and 47,080
respectively, giving TMS a record eight-consecutive months of 100,000-plus
sales.
"Strong industry sales continue to be driven by competitive pricing and
tempting lending rates," said Yale Gieszl, TMS executive vice president.
"Consumers seem to be looking beyond the recent market turmoil with optimism."
Both the Toyota and Lexus Divisions recorded best-ever October sales. The
Toyota Division posted sales of 106,788, up 23.6 percent from last October,
with the Toyota Camry, Avalon, Sienna, RAV4, 4Runner and Land Cruiser models
all recording best-ever October sales, while the Lexus Division reported a
57.7 percent increase over October 1997 with sales of 14,428.
Total Toyota Division passenger car sales were up 30.0 percent for a best-
ever October with 65,581 units sold. Camry lead the way with 37,696 units, up
34.5 percent. Camry CYTD sales totaled 340,434, up 3.4 percent.
The Toyota Corolla, up 30.7 percent, and Avalon, up 37.0 percent, also had
increased sales in October with 20,396 and 7,222 units sold respectively.
Total Toyota Division light truck sales also enjoyed a best-ever October
with sales reaching 41,207. Toyota sport utility vehicle sales were strong in
October with RAV4 up 26.0 percent to 6,336, 4Runner up 8.6 percent to 11,679,
and Land Cruiser up 66.8 percent to 1,601. Toyota's Tacoma compact pickup
trucks also were up 4.5 percent in October recording 13,622 sales, with Sienna
minivan sales at 7,428, up 63.5 percent.
The Lexus Division continued its sales blitz pushing CYTD sales to
126,702. The all-new RX 300 was the Lexus sales leader with October sales of
4,541. The ES 300 also had a strong month with sales of 4,162, up 7.5
percent, with the GS 300 up 67.1 percent to 1,714, and the LX 470 up 195.3
percent to 1,332, for its best-ever October.
Sales of North American-built vehicles made up 64.4 percent of total
October sales, up from 61.5 percent the previous year.
TOYOTA/LEXUS SALES
OCTOBER, 1998
----- CURRENT MONTH ----- -- CALENDAR YEAR TO DATE --
DSR % DSR %
1998 1997 CHG 1998 1997 CHG
TOTAL VEHICLE
SALES 121,216 95,562 26.8 1,118,401 1,027,864 8.8
Memo: Total
Toyota Div. 106,788 86,412 23.6 991,699 947,973 4.6
Memo: Total
Lexus Div. 14,428 9,150 57.7 126,702 79,891 58.6
TOYOTA DIV.
IMPORT CAR 8,548 9,278 -7.9 116,469 109,281 6.6
LEXUS IMPORT CAR 8,555 8,699 -1.7 86,271 73,511 17.4
TOYOTA DIV NA
BUILT CARS 57,033 41,160 38.6 508,316 509,391 -0.2
TOTAL TOYOTA CARS 74,136 59,137 25.4 711,056 692,183 2.7
SPORT UTILITY
VEHICLES 25,489 17,194 48.2 204,406 180,850 13.0
Memo: Lexus Sport
Utility 5,873 451 1202.2 40,431 6,380 533.7
SMALL VANS 7,434 4,629 60.6 66,535 8,263 705.2
PICKUPS 14,157 14,602 -3.0 136,404 146,568 -6.9
* NORTH AMERICAN BUILT VEHICLES
COROLLA 20,396 15,472 31.8 211,346 186,264 13.5
CAMRY 29,415 20,418 44.1 230,099 264,979 -13.2
AVALON 7,222 5,270 37.0 66,871 58,148 15.0
SIENNA 7,428 4,544 63.5 66,441 4,544 1362.2
PICKUP 13,622 13,041 4.5 128,863 120,281 7.1
TOTAL 78,083 58,745 32.9 703,620 634,216 10.9
N.A. VEHICLES
% OF TOTAL 64.4% 61.5% 62.9% 61.7%
SELLING DAYS 27 27 257 257
DSR = DAILY SELLING RATE