Toyota Sales Drop 10.3% In June - Lexus Starts To Take On Water Dropping 21.1%

Toyota Motor Sales USA Inc today reported half-year sales of 1,240,086 vehicles. For the month of June, TMS recorded sales of 193,234 units, a decrease of 11.5 percent from last June, on a daily selling rate basis.

    The Toyota Division posted June sales of 172,981, down 10.3 percent from last June. The Lexus Division reported June sales of 20,253 units, a decrease of 21.1 percent from the year-ago month.

    Toyota Division

    Toyota Division passenger cars recorded June sales of 119,024 units, up 4.4 percent over the same period last year. Passenger car sales were led by Corolla, which posted best-ever June sales of 42,180 units, up 30 percent over June 2007. Camry and Camry Hybrid reported combined sales of 41,572 units in June, up 0.3 percent over the year-ago month. Camry Hybrid
recorded June sales of 3,054 units. With limited availability, the Prius hybrid gas-electric mid- size sedan posted June sales of 11,765 units. Yaris recorded monthly sales of 8,472 units, up 4.1 percent over last June.

    "As the pendulum swings towards smaller, higher-mileage vehicles, we're well-poised to offer the right products at the right time," said TMS President Jim Lentz. "A five-door liftback will soon join the Yaris line-up, widening the choice for value-conscious consumers in challenging
economic times."

    Toyota Division light trucks reported June sales of 53,957 units, down 31.5 percent from the year-ago month. Light truck sales were led by the Tacoma mid-size pickup with sales of 11,364 units. The Tundra full-size pickup recorded sales of 10,238 units for the month. Highlander and
Highlander Hybrid posted combined monthly sales of 6,872 units. The Highlander Hybrid gas- electric mid-size SUV reported sales of 1,511 units for the month. Sequoia reported sales of 2,444 units in June, up 40.8 percent over the year-ago month.

    Scion posted June sales of 11,870 units for the month. The xB urban utility vehicle led the way with June sales of 4,685 units, up 0.3 percent over the year-ago month. The tC sports coupe, in its fifth model year, reported June sales of 4,155 units. The xD posted best-ever June sales of 3,026 units for the month.

    Lexus Division

    Lexus passenger cars reported June sales of 12,942 units, a decrease of 16.6 percent from June 2007. Passenger car sales were led by the ES 350 luxury sedan, with June sales of 5,726 units. The IS entry luxury sport sedan reported combined sales of 4,324 units. The LS flagship luxury sedan posted combined sales of 1,525 units for the month. The GS luxury sport
sedan recorded combined June sales of 1,213 units.

    Lexus Division light trucks reported June sales of 7,311 units, down 27.9 percent versus the year-ago month. Lexus sales were led by the RX luxury utility vehicle, posting combined June sales of 5,820 units. The RX 400h hybrid luxury utility vehicle reported sales of 1,330 units for the month. The all-new LX 570 luxury utility vehicle posted monthly sales of 631 units, an increase of 230.2 percent over the same period last year.

    TMS Hybrids

    TMS first-half hybrid sales totaled 145,159 units. In June, TMS posted sales of 17,806 hybrid vehicles. Toyota Division posted sales of 16,330 hybrids for the month. Lexus Division posted sales of 1,476 hybrids in June.

    There were 24 selling days this month, compared to 27 selling days last June.

HSCenterconsole - 7/1/2008 1:56:22 PM

+2 Boost

That's a big drop for Lexus. I guess that is what happens when the economy slows down and your consumers are mostly noveau riche.

Star - 7/1/2008 2:14:51 PM

-6 Boost

Exactly. If we look at the numbers we notice that the sales for the ENTIRE Lexus line dropped significantly which shows that the majority of Lexus buyers(former Toyota owners) are not people with money. On the other hand we can see that true luxury brands like Mercedes or BMW are not affected as much by the economic conditions since their buyers are mostly upper class.
Lexus WILL go down, there is no doubt about that. With no heritage and no appeal to either the car enthusiast or the rich, this brand has no chance of surviving.

Maverick2020 - 7/1/2008 2:19:51 PM

+4 Boost

"With no heritage and no appeal to either the car enthusiast or the rich, this brand has no chance of surviving."

That is really an ignorant statement, Star.

Lexus was one of the most successful launches in automotive history, has one of the strongest brand images in the business and enjoys one of the highest satisfied owner bases around.

I'm not a big fan of Lexus (or Toyota for that matter) but they are excellent cars. Just not for everyone.

Agent009 - 7/1/2008 2:38:10 PM

+1 Boost

I don't think I would call Lexus dead yet. But part of this drop in sales is the fact that their customers are more affected by the economy than some of the others. Less resources maybe or simply more cautious.

Star - 7/1/2008 2:38:51 PM

-4 Boost

Maverick2020,"Lexus has one of the strongest brand images in the business and enjoys one of the highest satisfied owner bases around"

Strongest brand image? Where is your proof????? I can claim the same thing about KIA but that doesn't make it true.
Satisfied owners? Well, apparently the satisfied Lexus owners don't have enough cash to keep buying expensive cars.

Maverick2020 - 7/1/2008 2:52:05 PM

+2 Boost

Star, I really hate arguing with an ignorant blowhard like you; however, if you can prove to me that Kia has a stronger brand than Lexus, I will concede.

Star - 7/1/2008 3:00:03 PM

-3 Boost

I never said KIA is stronger than Lexus. You don't make any sense.

0to60 - 7/1/2008 3:11:21 PM

+3 Boost

The huge drop in sales is likely due to their aged products. They take way to long in the product redesign process. Most of their cars are out dated and need to be redesigned immediately.

TopGear - 7/1/2008 3:41:21 PM

+3 Boost

"true luxury brands like Mercedes or BMW are not affected " - Star

Hmm, you may consider MB as luxury brand, but BMW is not considered as real luxury in Europe. Also, the reason of poor Lexus sales is not lack any luxury but lack of performance and style.

silver1 - 7/1/2008 4:32:36 PM

-4 Boost

Maserati Sales are up 84% here in Houston...

ChicaneShooter - 7/2/2008 4:12:33 AM

+2 Boost

"Sequoia reported sales of 2,444 units in June, up 40.8 percent over the year-ago month."

"The all-new LX 570 luxury utility vehicle posted monthly sales of 631 units, an increase of 230.2 percent over the same period last year."

two of (if not THE MOST) gas-guzzlingest models. and both near the top priced models.

yeah, toyota and lexus buyers are just peasants who can not afford fine cars. sure.

Gennissen - 7/2/2008 6:20:27 AM

0 Boost

a friend of mine traded in a lexus is250 for a toyota Yaris!! imagine that. his reason whas 'he was getting hit on both ends' - payments were up and fuel cost were burning him.

the fact is, Lexus buyers a very discerning and given Lexus' current lineup which lacks diesel (or more fuel efficient)variants, these buyers are going to punish them. i'm not sure how audi, bmw and mercedes are doing but i remember reading that the current c-class was selling real hot and with sales mostly driven by the diesel cars.

Rupert - 7/2/2008 12:09:26 PM

-1 Boost

ChicaneShooter - both of those trucks are new models, and selling 630 LX570's is hardly a great achievement.

F1_Driver - 7/2/2008 12:34:41 PM

+2 Boost

Rupert, it is an achievement considering that gas is about $4 a gallon.

crackityjones - 7/2/2008 6:43:06 PM

+3 Boost

"I guess that is what happens when the economy slows down and your consumers are mostly noveau riche."

Are you saying the true snobs who can afford the MB are better than the wannabee snobs who can only afford a Lexus? Are you trumpeting a difference here?

I love cars as much as you guys, but if you're going to split hairs between Lexus buyers and MB, BMW etc...

ALL the people who buy these cars are wasting discretionary income to pamper themselves or show up their neighbors. The people to hold up are the ones who buy something tasteful and USED, and save money for something more important, like kids' education.

Peyton18 - 7/1/2008 2:07:48 PM

+1 Boost

Well with nothing exciting on the car lot, and nothing exciting at the factory or drawing board...I can expect this to continue. What do we have to look forward to? LFA? nah..ES front end on the existing RX? nah. a $110,000 hybrid? they really need to rethink what this perfection is that they are pursuing so devilishly.

BMW4me4ever - 7/1/2008 2:09:28 PM

+4 Boost

wow .. another gigantic drop for Lexus in back to back months ..

BMW4me4ever - 7/1/2008 2:29:05 PM

+2 Boost

on a side note BMW has bested Lexus for the second month this year for sales in the US

AlexTx - 7/1/2008 2:19:09 PM

+4 Boost

I wonder what MichaelTaylor is going to say about this.... :)
The LX is really disapointing.. just 650 sold??
Wow....
Even the GS, this is not big numbers at all.

HSCenterconsole - 7/1/2008 2:32:09 PM

+3 Boost

Don't worry Alex, MichaelTaylor will certainly find a way to spin these numbers. Or he will at least make absurd statements about how Lexus is better because so many celebrities/VIP's drive them or how the LS has won more awards than all of the S-Classes combined. Pretty much his usual drivel.

M35MT - 7/1/2008 2:42:03 PM

+7 Boost

This LX is up 230.2% from last year.

Agent009 - 7/1/2008 2:58:31 PM

+5 Boost

MichaelTaylor- That is an old list, please find another. Half of those people don't own those cars anymore.

HSCenterconsole - 7/1/2008 3:16:10 PM

+3 Boost

Out of curiosity, what kind of car do you drive MichaelTaylor?

Agent00J - 7/1/2008 3:38:03 PM

-1 Boost

MichaelTaylor isn't old enough to drive, but his Mom drives a '03 Focus with a front fender painted a different color from the rest of the car.

When he gets older he knows he won't be able to afford a Lexus, however his uncle has '78 Corolla that MichaelTaylor has already ordered Lexus badges for in a hope that it just might fool people into thinking he is driving a Lexus.

-00J

M35MT - 7/1/2008 4:40:10 PM

0 Boost

I love how I got deboosted for stating a fact.

Fanboys.

F1_Driver - 7/1/2008 4:46:19 PM

+6 Boost

The Agents are now trolling on this site? WTF is this site coming to?

Agent00J - 7/1/2008 6:37:40 PM

-2 Boost

Not trolling, just having a little fun. With that being said, I am glad MichaelTaylor has responded because previous attempts at getting the question answered have gone unanswered.

-00J

MichaelTaylor - Thanks for finally responding.

autopro - 7/1/2008 7:13:47 PM

+3 Boost

That's all the LX570's they imported,everyone sold at sticker.

85bmw745i - 7/3/2008 6:59:56 PM

+1 Boost

So you and your mom drive a camry huh. So which one is faster since they have the same engine and layout? If you have an SE camry, I'm sure it outhandles your moms ES.....er..... camry deluxe

EL34 - 7/1/2008 2:34:31 PM

-4 Boost

Lexus should change their name to Titanic :-/

BMW4me4ever - 7/1/2008 4:30:22 PM

-1 Boost

bulldogz ... If I am figuring this correctly Lexus is only ahead of BMW by 6k cars year to date. If the trend continues, by the end of the year Lexus will be in 2nd place in the US.

EL34 - 7/1/2008 4:38:04 PM

0 Boost

With what, selling that glorified Lexus Camry?

ChicaneShooter - 7/2/2008 4:48:32 AM

+1 Boost

my city does not even HAVE a lexus dealer, but i keep seeing more and more LXs. (and a few new toy LCs too; lots of older models)

these owners have to go 360 miles to the nearest lexus dealer. same for audi and bmw. a few of the latter; the former cars are RARETIES here.

EL34 - 7/1/2008 10:58:18 PM

-2 Boost

Thanks amazinBimmer :-)

Agent63 - 7/1/2008 3:49:19 PM

+2 Boost

Huge drop for Lexus. Once again the flame wars continue. Lexus vs Mercedes. Why do they always bring stuff up? Lexus isn't a marquee brand world wide. It's not developed a brand image in ALL countries and to many their still just an expensive Toyota(FACT!).

xlr8 - 7/1/2008 4:27:31 PM

-3 Boost

fact! your wrong! lexus is percieved in both asia,middle east and north america as a "marquee brand". Ive lived in all three continents and that is the perception. how many places have you lived?

ChicaneShooter - 7/2/2008 4:23:36 AM

-2 Boost

lexus is also NOT as much a poseur brand as the ones who offer SIX=cylinder versions of their top model. every LS you see, YOU KNOW has a big v8 under the hood.

every OTHER lexus also has a v6 as a minimum, NO miserly 4-bangers under poseur sheetmetal. (except for the is200 in europe, where so many poseur pennypinchers live.)

Agent63 - 7/2/2008 11:19:08 AM

0 Boost

Unfortunately the engine size doesn't determine it's level of luxury. You are use to the American way of living. BIGGER IS BETTER. Well it isn't always the case.

Rupert - 7/2/2008 12:14:21 PM

-1 Boost

Chicane - how does a V6 or V8 make a car any more luxurious, refined, 'premium' or comfortable?

Htay7500 - 7/2/2008 1:31:03 PM

0 Boost

ChicaneShooter - 7/5/2008 2:15:33 AM

0 Boost

"every LS you see, YOU KNOW has a big v8 under the hood."

"every OTHER lexus also has a v6 as a minimum, NO miserly 4-bangers under poseur sheetmetal. (except for the is200 in europe, where so many poseur pennypinchers live.)"

'would you say the same thing to those in SE asia and certain parts of asia as well? if you order anything past a V6 engine in hong kong, malaysia, singapore, etc, you'll be slapped with higher taxes. thats why MB offers a v6 in their s-class as well as a 4 cyl in the e and c class to cater the needs of those needing to be chauffered.'

bottom line: the FACT still remains, that EVERY LS has a powerful v8 under the hood. which cannot be said for a 7 or S.

hence, the owner/driver of an LS gets MORE RESPECT, without question. people seeing a german luxury car will be initially impressed too, but in their minds, they will ask "is it a v8 or a Six? gas or diesel?"

those questions NEVER get asked about the LS.

sure, lexus may not sell as many cars as a result. which actually ADDS TO the EXCLUSIVITY and PRESTIGE of the favored few who can afford an LS. in any and all markets.

to only a slightly lesser degree, the same applies to all the other lexus models: NO 4-bangers.

silver1 - 7/1/2008 3:49:54 PM

+2 Boost

Amazing. I do see Camry and Corolla outsold both Honda Civc & Accord...

AgentOrange - 7/1/2008 4:38:20 PM

0 Boost

Can someone with better eyesight than me please check the Math on the % decline of Lexus passenger cars.
I can't read the numbers too well with my bifocals, but it looks like June '08 sales were 12,942 and June '07 sales were 17,451.
If so, isn't that a 25% decline in sales rather than the 16.6% decline reported????????

HSCenterconsole - 7/1/2008 4:47:24 PM

0 Boost

Bifocals? Old man, shouldn't you be waiting out by the mailbox for your social security check?

AgentOrange - 7/1/2008 4:59:37 PM

+2 Boost

HSCenterconsole;
Yah, don't answer my question douchebag..

AgentOrange - 7/1/2008 4:45:49 PM

-2 Boost

O.K., now I'm totally confused..The chart shows Toyota Div passenger car sales of 119,024 for June '08 vs 128,239 for June '07 and they report that as a 4.4% increase???????
WTF is going on???What am I missing????

F1_Driver - 7/1/2008 4:47:13 PM

+1 Boost

You're missing a brain?

AgentOrange - 7/1/2008 4:58:23 PM

-1 Boost

F1 Driver is obviously a fuking retard..

F1_Driver - 7/1/2008 5:13:50 PM

0 Boost

AgentOrange = EPIC FAIL

ChicaneShooter - 7/2/2008 4:29:50 AM

+2 Boost

sometimes the percentages are based on "selling days" vs. whole calendar months. so adjustments are made.

while on this point, didn't lexus have record sales most of last year? so the seeing huge drops are only in relation to very high figures last year.

ChicaneShooter - 7/2/2008 4:33:04 AM

+1 Boost

...SEEMIMG huge drops. and applicable to toyota as well as lexus.

ghosthunter - 7/1/2008 4:48:56 PM

+2 Boost

quite obviously, they are experience HUGE shortage on battery supplies. prius could and should sold at least 2X if they can produce them fast enough. sucks for those of whom on the waiting list for 7 weeks.

AgentOrange - 7/1/2008 5:03:28 PM

-4 Boost

THE PERCENTAGE DECLINES ARE ALL UNDERSTATED!!!!!!!!!

Star - 7/1/2008 6:30:58 PM

-2 Boost

huu76 Toyota/Lexus has yet to offer low financing (still 8% or more)

Are you on drugs??? Toyota had 0% APR for their 2009 models 2 weeks after their launch. You need help ASAP.

atomicbri - 7/2/2008 8:04:57 AM

0 Boost

Huu the X6 sales are at 623 because that is all that came over for June... the 20,000# is for the entire 2009 production model run. No company sends all of their cars in at one time to sell....

autopro - 7/1/2008 7:23:42 PM

-1 Boost

I said early in the year,that when things get tough Lexus can play the incentive game better than anyone.They have more money to outlast anybody durning tough times like these.My money on the sales crown for eight years in a row is LEXUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ChicaneShooter - 7/2/2008 4:42:43 AM

+1 Boost

and no doubt, toyota corp will likely STILL have more profits at the end of the year than anyone else.

maybe STILL more than everyone else PUT TOGETHER. (altho' this is not as certain.)

joeyc - 7/3/2008 5:41:29 AM

+1 Boost

Audi up 5.3% in June

xj13 - 7/2/2008 6:34:04 AM

+1 Boost

lex's sales figures are indeed sad.....

JWalkerLegrande - 7/2/2008 7:57:28 AM

-5 Boost

"With gasoline prices at record highs and consumer confidence plummeting, U.S. auto sales declined sharply in June."

and the King remains...

June June
2008 2007
Daimler AG 22,142 19,615 12.9%

Bravo Mercedes-Benz.

autopro - 7/2/2008 6:45:25 PM

+3 Boost

The king is still in third place YTD.