Toyota Sales Remain Sour Down 36% - Lexus In Need Of CPR Failing By 40.6%

The Toyota Division posted March sales of 118,563 units, a decrease of 36.0 percent from the same period last year. The Lexus Division reported March sales of 14,239 units, a decrease of 40.6 percent from the year-ago month.

With month-over-month sales comparisons providing a more realistic indication of current market conditions than year-ago levels, TMS sales posted a 16.3 percent increase over February 2009.

Toyota Division

Toyota Division passenger cars recorded March sales of 73,385 units, down 33.6 percent from the same period last year, but up 19.1 percent over February 2009. Featuring a new engine and refreshed styling, Camry and Camry Hybrid remained Toyota's volume leader in March, posting combined monthly sales of 25,783 units. Corolla recorded sales of 22,257 units. Yaris reported sales of 5,888 units for the month. The Prius mid-size gas-electric hybrid posted March sales of 8,924 units.

Toyota Division light trucks posted March sales of 45,178 units, down 39.7 percent from the year-ago month, but up 15.3 percent over February 2009. Light truck sales were led by the RAV4 compact SUV with sales of 11,899 units. The Tacoma mid-size pickup reported sales of 9,444 units for the month. The Tundra full-size pickup recorded March sales of 5,547 units. Highlander and Highlander Hybrid posted combined sales of 5,404 units.

Scion posted March sales of 4,663 units. The xB urban utility vehicle led the way with sales of 2,090 units. The tC sports coupe recorded sales of 1,545 units. The xD reported sales of 1,027 units for the month.

Lexus Division

Lexus passenger cars reported March sales of 7,212 units, a decrease of 49.6 percent from March 2008, but up 13.6 percent over the prior month. Passenger car sales were led by the ES entry luxury sedan with March sales of 3,225 units. The IS entry luxury sport sedan posted combined sales of 2,432 units. The LS flagship luxury sedan recorded combined sales of 852 units. The GS luxury sport sedan reported combined March sales of 625 units.

Lexus Division light trucks recorded March sales of 7,027 units, down 27.3 percent from the year-ago month. Lexus sales were led by the RX luxury utility vehicle, which posted combined March sales of 6,177 units. The RX 400h hybrid luxury utility vehicle reported sales of 1,165 units for the month.

TMS Hybrids

TMS posted March sales of 13,747 hybrid vehicles. Toyota Division recorded sales of 12,515 hybrids for the month. Lexus Division reported March sales of 1,232 hybrids.

In response to the changing sales climate, recent efforts to right-size production and inventory levels proved effective, with total TMS inventory down 26.6 percent in the first quarter.

There were 25 selling days this month, compared to 26 selling days last March.

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NEPatriots7 - 4/1/2009 3:51:31 PM

-1 Boost

Oh wow for Lexus. Even the release of the 2010 RX couldn't help them. Both BMW and Mercedes outsold them, significantly this month, and this is their most important market.
I wonder what Toyota's gonna do, for once I agree with the title, Lexus does need CPR.

EL34 - 4/3/2009 12:40:15 PM

+3 Boost

Have you seen the 2010 RX?

Not a pretty sight.

AMiodynski - 4/1/2009 4:43:45 PM

0 Boost

Lexus will be just fine.

crslmn - 4/3/2009 10:57:59 PM

+1 Boost

Just about any brand new model will bring sticker or close to it.

AMiodynski - 4/1/2009 4:53:18 PM

-2 Boost

All the new Product's they have coming out this year, they will be back better than ever before !!!

MeanVulcan - 4/2/2009 9:06:36 AM

0 Boost

This only proves my long standing point that Lexus is a bargain luxury brand and when times are tough people shopping bargains stop shopping, not so with better of buyers. Unless another factor other than the economy has hit only Lexus then this is why.

The fact that economics dictates that more people will buy what is perceived as a similar product at a better price point also supports this view. Looking at other bargain brands such as Toyota and even Honda and Nissan, sales are down significantly, if even more than the leading luxury brands.

mikeydred20 - 4/2/2009 9:49:57 PM

-2 Boost

wow i though the RL was bad as you guys say, the GS combined v8 and V6 models do not hit 1000 units and the so called ugly TL not sure but I think it outsold Lexus's top selling model, remeber the 3rd generation was the #1 selling luxury car the first 3 years of it's production run.

BarackBush - 4/3/2009 10:59:15 AM

+1 Boost

Are you ignorant or a child? Why are you comparing Lexus to Acura? There is no Comparison. Acura can't even beat Hyundai's Genesis. Acura is a sub-par budget brand for Fit loving brokeback mountain watching men.

Jordanski - 4/3/2009 1:32:00 AM

+1 Boost

Funny how sales "fell", but there's not a single Venza on dealer lots cause there "sold out"! I've got to wait 12 weeks. I could have totally bought a Mercedes-Benz GLK350 4MATIC and done European delivery and paid the same price as I would for a Venza - and still get the car before our estimated delivery. -_______-

XYZZ - 4/3/2009 3:35:39 AM

0 Boost

it mite be interesting if someone could provide figures on what percentage of new car 'sales' are leases, vs. purchases, for all these brands.

considering the increasing NEED for servicing/repairs after just 3 years for all german brands, i suspect most are just leased and TURNED OVER for new models.

toyota and lexus buyers otoh, tend to buy to KEEP. so those dealers just don't see 'regular' customers as often. my newer toyota is six years old, my older one 15. i don't anticipate either NEEDING to be replaced for at least another five years minimum.

Jordanski - 4/3/2009 9:54:32 PM

+2 Boost

That's so true!