Toyota forced to reduce sales forecast

No carmaker has been immune from the poor state of the global economy and rising fuel prices, with even industry juggernaut Toyota expected to lower its global sales target in the wake of a U.S. slump.

According to latest reports Toyota plans to reduce its global sales forecast to 9.5 million vehicles, down from 9.85 million vehicles predicted at the start of the year.

The downward revision was mainly due to a slump in sales of SUV and pickup trucks in the U.S. caused by rising fuel prices and greater environmental awareness from consumers.
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mghazi56 - 7/16/2008 12:32:05 PM

+4 Boost

I thought those Yaris' were selling like hotcakes! Just saw on yesterday, but it was an RS version of the Yaris... the guy floored it like it was a V12 or something, I couldn't stop laughing!

Lemonade - 7/16/2008 1:25:37 PM

+2 Boost

does a car need to be a V12 in order for it to be floored? And, YES all the company's fuel efficient cars are selling like hotcakes.. especially the Prius. The article was referring to the company's gas guzzler models like the Tundra, Sequoia as well as it's lexus counterpart.

Bored - 7/16/2008 6:04:20 PM

-2 Boost

@ Homer,

Decades of poor quality from GM is why the Matrix outsells the Vibe. I'm thinking of getting a Matrix later this year (rather have a Jetta TDI, but that's another story). I want to consider a Vibe, but I just know I would get one that wasn't put together well and would start rattling months, if not years, before a comparable Matrix.

MercedesBenz00Z - 7/16/2008 10:50:40 PM

-1 Boost

Exactly. The American cars don't last.

And that's why they are "American". pffft

Whelan - 7/16/2008 2:58:02 PM

+2 Boost

I drive a Matrix now, granted its an 05 XR AWD and averages 28mpg. But it is the most fuel efficient AWD car that is not a hybrid available today. Great car and Homer is right. The identical cousin the Vibe which shares engines, interiors, underbodies with the Matrix is cheaper but still gets outsold by the Matrix. In Canada though, the Vibe outsells the Matrix.

neutral - 7/17/2008 1:36:46 PM

+3 Boost

Thank you damikco, can't stress that point enough.

I cannot stand to see people mindlessly buying Camry's and Accords (both very good cars) when they could get Malibu's and Fusions (also very good cars).

If you are going to buy a mindless people-mover like the Accord, you should def. buy American, especially now that Detroit has been putting out well-built, nice sedans.

If you want a specialty car (sports/luxury), its a different story, you should buy what gets you fired up!! (for me itd be Saturn Sky redline or Corvette, can't spend the extra cash for German!)

toolatetorace - 7/16/2008 10:09:57 PM

+1 Boost

I saw at a local toyota dealer had tundras lining up the front row , not too surprising . a few days later, all gone . Drove to back of lot . Found them a many many more . It looked like a drop lot for toyota . Looks like toytie keeps pushing them out the back door witout looking to see if there are buyers on the other end like Ford and GM is doing