Toyota’s US Sales of Prius and Camry Hybrids Explode in March

Although March is shaping up as a good month for hybrid sales with a record 31,652 units sold just by Toyota and Honda (data from Ford and Nissan still pending, and GM not reporting), it was the best month ever for Toyota and its hybrid sedans. (Even with the incomplete tally of 31,652, hybrids broke the 2% threshold for marketshare of new vehicles sales.)

March also marked a significant milestone for Toyota, with aggregate US sales of Toyota and Lexus hybrids topping the half-million mark.

Toyota posted sales of 28,453 hybrid vehicles in March, up 137% over the same period last year. The bulk of that came from the Prius, with a record-breaking 19,156 units sold, up 133.2% from the prior year.

The Camry hybrid was the second-best selling Toyota model, posting 5,144 units in March—its best monthly results to date. Hybrids represented 12.2% of all Camry models sold in the month. The Highlander Hybrid sold 2,501 units, down 16% from March 2006.

The Lexus Rx 400h sold 1,471 units, down 40% from the prior year. The Lexus GS450h sold 181 units, representing 92.8% of the combined GS 430/GS 450h models sold, and 8.6% of all GS models (including the GS 300).

Toyota’s calendar-year-to-date hybrid sales in the US totaled 61,635 units, an increase of 68% over the same period last year.

atomicbri - 4/4/2007 12:41:00 PM

0 Boost

Wow this is strange. I just saw a special here in NYC that the Prius were piled on dealer lots and now you can make a deal on them, since now they sit. Not saying they are not selling, but no longer is there a wait on them and you can now actually negotiate a price.

izfuney - 4/4/2007 1:25:56 PM

+2 Boost

You are right on the money ! Out here in california, toyota dealers are dealing on PRIUS, no wait or markup with transaction price somewhere between Invoice and MSRP . Plus if you factor in gas at 3.50 its a hot deal .

1970toyotamarc - 4/5/2007 1:06:06 AM

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Priuses are not sitting on lots due to lack of sales. DUH. look at the sales figures. Toyota wants dealers to make deals, they want dealers to sell in huge volumes, that's why they have been sent so many. That is Toy's strategy in the final year and a half of this model's life. Dealers have many on the lots to meet Toyota's goal of doubling sales of Prius this year, and with decent lease and financing rates plus new package discounts, looks like this will happen.

enthusiastx11 - 4/6/2007 1:42:10 AM

+1 Boost

they're moving at such speed because toyota is running amazing lease deals on hybrid camry and prius. i'm seriously considering getting one as a second car for the daily commute.

atomicbri - 4/6/2007 5:05:13 PM

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Dudes, they are running the deals because THEY ARE SITTING ON THE LOT!! They are moving now because people are glad to not pay full sticker and like a friend of mine held out and lucked out cause now she got a good deal on one. AND YES, here in NYC where we have a LARGE population and big dealerships, I saw quite a few of the same ones on the lot. And the dealer told me they had been sitting. So for you all to say that, maybe where you live your dealer has one or none, here in NYC, PLENTY!

Agent009 - 4/4/2007 1:27:42 PM

+3 Boost

I guess they figured out since the tax incentives went away that the public in general were then concerned about the cost effectiveness. Now you make it cost effective and they sell.

I guess typical Hybrid owner is not only is eco-friendly but want cost effectiveness too.

MercBasher - 4/4/2007 6:23:23 PM

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Where are all the raving lunatics that were posting on Autospies in January and February that hybrids had already peaked?

1970toyotamarc - 4/5/2007 1:09:56 AM

+1 Boost

Toy is treating the Prius like a normal car, offering deals as the generation ages. It is no coincidence that these deals coincided with the hybrid concept in Geneva. We know the next gen is a year and a half away, so it's time to move the metal. Just one more indication of the mainstreaming of hybrids. And if this makes Toy heaps of cash to put toward r&d of the next gen, I'm all for it.

chewy - 4/4/2007 2:06:34 PM

-2 Boost

The Toyota Prius NO (yes) ads have been clogging the tube. With giveaway leases and so many ads. The good thing is that no more car pool passes for hybrids in CA. Finally.

JUGNU - 4/4/2007 5:32:40 PM

+2 Boost

BTW what's the reason behind a sudden increase in hybrid sales.

Toyota Hybrid sales up 137 %. WOW

I think people finally realizing that Hybrids are the way to go.

JUGNU

enthusiastx11 - 4/6/2007 1:43:33 AM

+2 Boost

read the above again. you're mistaken.

XYZZ - 4/5/2007 3:13:35 AM

-1 Boost

oooohhh, SOOOOO nitpicky! is the success of hybrids BOTHERING YOU?

huu IS technically correct if you exclude all GS300/350 models.

enthusiastx11 - 4/6/2007 1:44:22 AM

+2 Boost

why would you exclude the GS300? it's the majority of GS sales.

enthusiastx11 - 4/6/2007 1:46:45 AM

-1 Boost

sadly, you're mistaken far too often.

toyota is doing an amazing job with hybrids. i applaud them.

lexus is doing a horredous job. they don't deliver what hybrid buyers want: great mileage. stop blinding defending anything the brand does.

enthusiastx11 - 4/6/2007 1:39:29 AM

-2 Boost

all makes sense....

prius and camry are selling like crazy because they deliver compelling fuel economy at a reasonable price. impressive.

lexus hybrids are tanking. down 40% for RXh and a whopping 181 units of GS450h sold. they deliver mediocre fuel economy at a large premium to the gasoline verions. not so good.

enthusiastx11 - 4/6/2007 1:39:31 AM

-2 Boost

XYZZ - 4/8/2007 4:25:26 AM

0 Boost

'''

XYZZ - 4/8/2007 4:32:07 AM

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"The Lexus GS450h sold 181 units, representing 92.8% of the combined GS 430/GS 450h models sold, and 8.6% of all GS models (including the GS 300)."

to explain this to the simpletons:

between the GS430 and GS450h, 92.8% were the HYBRIDS! so much for the "hybrid premium not worth the extra money" argument. lexus buyers of the top GS models WILLINGLY PAID the premium.

that the 450h represents only 8.6% of TOTAL gs sales merely reflects how POPULAR the gs300 model is.

M53R - 4/8/2007 10:25:21 AM

+1 Boost

Huu

Next time you shit, make sure to do it in the toilet....