Toyota Scales Back Sales Figures For U.S. Operations

I thought so. Just as I predicted and stated back when the figures were released. Makes you think, what kind of strategists they have working for them.

Toyota Motor Sales has been off its game ever since Jim Press got promoted to President of Toyota Motor North America. I think he was ideally suited to run Toyota and probably should have stayed there vs going to Chrysler.

A lot of Toyota's top people have left or retired recently. They still have great management, but I'm not convinced that they are going to be as strong in the next 10 years as they have been in the last 10 years.

not to mention, GM is losing $1 Billion EVERY MONTH right now. source: Forbes.

MichaelTaylor-
You might want to look at Mercedes Benz, they are up for the year. Subaru, Mazda, Honda, and even VW is up. So there are buyers out there just there aren't flocking to Toyota at this time.

MB sales are probably up in part to lease deals yes, but most likely because they have something the public will buy.

All of the brands mentioned above have cars that are at least enticing their core market back into the showroom.

Those that aren't bringing them might be the victims of having a dated or at least a uninspiring lineup.

You think Lexus drivers aren't leasing their cars either? HAHA! you're so niave.

009: "Subaru, Mazda, Honda, and even VW is up."

NONE of those brands had drops in sales of LARGE pickups and SUVs to pull their year-to-year figures down. highly profitable vehicles they WEREN'T SELLING last year.

i doubt if toyota's small cars are seeing any drop in sales.

ChicaneShooter- Very perceptive, actually VW, Honda, and Mazda all make large SUV's however if you take out the pickups out of the mix the story is still pretty bleak.

Might I remind you that Toyota chose to focus on big pickups and big SUV's. No one told them it was short sighted, but it would be pretty easy to see the writing on the wall. Toyota fell into the same trap and the big three in this regard. Looking at short term dollars vs long term strategy.

the core of toyota and lexus owners have THE MOST FLEXIBILITY in timing their purchases.

because the cars are so durable, it MATTERS LITTLE to them if they trade their 5, 10, even 15 yr-old toyota or lexus for a new one this year, next year, or several years down the road.

once the economy gets back on its feet, whether in months or years, toyota and lexus sales will EXPLODE as deferred trades or purchases roll around.

MB sales remain steady because owners are afraid to OWN one once the warranty expires. so owners AND LESSORS must CONSTANTLY trade over time.

interesting concept, let me do a little research on that.

any progress yet, agent009?

i would be curious myself. (above IS largely a theory, based on experience of myself and large circle of friends and family.)

possible leads: 1) average age of toyotas/lexi offered as trade-ins. 2) relative numbers of leases vs. outright purchase, by brand; also lease turnovers on same brand. 3) how many new cars by brand are bought WITHOUT a trade-in (many people keep old car or resell to friends who know their history/reliability; i suspect this happens with TONS of toyota products-- again from stories i hear.)

a coupla personal anectodes in support:

1) a friend finally retired his 18 yr-old toyota truck, and has been looking for a replacement. just tonite, he called and asked if i knew how many used 2wd toyota trucks were on the market in the whole state of alaska? answer: ONE.

2) another friend, also preferring 2wd for the simplicity and gas mileage, found NO DEALER in alaska carried any. he had to go to seattle to get one. this is only the 3rd toyota he's gotten in the past 10 or 15 years.