Lexus GS lighting up the sales board for Toyota

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A.,
Inc., reported May sales of 201,493 vehicles, an increase of 7.8 percent over May 2004. It marks the third consecutive month and sixth time Toyota has recorded at least 200,000 sales in a single month. Calendar-year-to-date(CYTD) sales total 919,195 units, up 11.9 percent over the same period last year.

"The pendulum of consumer preference is swinging in favor of smaller SUVs, crossovers, hybrids and passenger cars," said Jim Press, TMS executive vice president and COO. "It's the breadth of our lineup that enables us to satisfy today's buyers."

The Toyota Division reported May sales of 175,038, up 7.6 percent. The Lexus Division recorded best-ever May sales with 26,455 units sold, an increase of 9.6 percent.

Toyota Division passenger cars posted record May sales of 103,630, up 14.6 percent over the same period last year. The all-new 2005 Avalon full-size sedan enjoyed sales of 9,165, up 166.8 percent. The Prius gas-electric hybrid mid-size sedan posted best-ever May sales of 9,461, an increase of 158.7 percent.

Scion reported best-ever May sales with 13,229 units sold. The tC sports coupe, which debuted last summer, led the way with 6,436 units sold. The popular xB subcompact recorded its best-ever May with 4,592 units sold, an increase of 32.3 percent over May of last year.

Toyota Division light truck sales were led by the Tundra full-size pickup with May sales of 10,557 units, an increase of 18.4 percent. The Rav4 compact SUV recorded a sales increase of three percent over May of last year with 6,829 units.

Lexus passenger cars posted strong May sales with 12,641 units, an increase of 7.3 percent. Sales momentum continued following the late February launch of the all-new 2006 GS 300 and GS 430 luxury performance sedans. The GS 300 had sales of 2,503, an increase of 304.1 percent, while the GS 430 posted sales of 638, an increase of 367 percent.

Lexus Division light trucks produced best-ever May sales with 13,814 units, up 11.7 percent. The 2006 RX 400h, launched in April as the world's first luxury hybrid vehicle, reported sales of 2,931 units for the month. The RX 330 luxury SUV on which the RX 400h is based, enjoyed combined May sales of 10,707 units, an increase of 20.1 percent.

Sales of North American-built vehicles accounted for 63.5 percent of total May sales. There were 24 selling days this sales month compared to 26 last May.

Full stats here:

Homer008 - 6/2/2005 8:25:35 PM

+1 Boost

Poised, polished and relentless in their pursuit of building quality cars and trucks, Toyota has been absolutely uncanny in their ability to not only identify a segment - but also in their ability to exploit a given segment with spot-on products that instantly become best in class right out of the box. Toyota has demonstrated that they know how to cultivate momentum in the market with savvy marketing and public relations strategies, along with the assistance of a deeply talented dealer body, and they are absolutely vigilant against falling into complacency. And now that they have decided to build excitement into their products with a new emphasis on design and performance, I expect Toyota to be at the top for a long time to come. Interesting article on TV yesterday aired that Toyota is planning on selling Robots to world consumer market while the Honda recently started to build airplanes to continue its progress to build its empire even larger! These 2 companies are to me an incredible story of success no doubt.

Homer008 - 6/2/2005 8:25:35 PM

+1 Boost

MercBasher - 6/2/2005 10:59:13 PM

+1 Boost

Toyota is better at giving a sizeable portion of the market vehicles that it wants and appreciates. It is not infallible, and does not cover all segments of all markets equally well.

For example Toyota/Lexus/Scion does not have high-performance models (typically their products are underpowered compared to competitors), they don't have a supercar, they don't have a luxury coupe, they have too few sportswagons, and Toyota/Lexus don't generally allow the same degree of customization [exterior color, interior color, wheels, options etc.] as Mercedes.

Nevertheless, considering new product development dollars are limited, Toyota/Lexus/Scion have done a much better job than other manufacturers [such as Ford, GM, VW/Audi] in allocating the development dollars wisely.

Homer008 - 6/4/2005 9:30:27 PM

+1 Boost

Lexus LF-A

BASE PRICE $150,000 w/ frnt engine, RWD, V-8, 500 hp!, 6 speed Man., curb weight of only 3300 lbs, 0-60 in awesome 3.7 seconds!
On Sale in U.S. Possible 2006 Next year!

Homer008 - 6/4/2005 9:30:27 PM

+1 Boost

Lexus LF-A

BASE PRICE $150,000 w/ frnt engine, RWD, V-8, 500 hp!, 6 speed Man., curb weight of only 3300 lbs, 0-60 in awesome 3.7 seconds!
On Sale in U.S. Possible 2006 Next year!

elviososa - 6/6/2005 6:22:33 PM

+1 Boost

From a consumer stand point, it's not about Japan doesn't open their market to the US, it's about American does not offer enough competitive products. Try to look at the other markets such as Asia as a whole. You don't really see many American cars on roads. All you can find is either JP or EUR cars. Why? because American car maker did not offer them a good product with good price; the management in the US did not do a good job across the board.
Another reason is the American cooperate culture. They are less enthusiast about selling car now a days. Take a look at GM group. They make more money on the non-car-related investments than their primary business, a car manufacturer.