Toyota Sales Leap Forward 20.2%, Lexus Up 12.1% for September

Great. Go LEXUS GO!

Sell baby Sell!!! I want to see me Lexus on the road!!

Hybrids up (contrary to all the reports over the past couple months

IS up, yes still not to 3 series levels, but always climbing

Camry and Corolla up, industry leaders of course

Yaris leading new pack of subcompacts, while Scion subcompacts stay strong

Tundra up and still selling at the same level with a new truck just months away

There are just too many highlights to mention...

Nothing unexpected!

The question is: "Where's HONDA!?!"

but, but, but sales don't matter. Toyota will slow down. blah blah blah.

Toyota will continue, not slow down.

I am scared of Bentley topping Toyota ;).

Nobody is close to Toyota in sales gain, not even Honda.

Oh sorry about Bentley ;).

surprise surprise

When you understand a market well - and are geared up to offer quality products to the market - you deserve great success. Thank you Toyota for demonstrating again that quality, rapid design evolution, service, fuel economy, and performance are features that the market values.

Was surprised that Lexus sales were not even higher given that the Merc C class, Audi A4, Acura TL, and BMW 3 series sedans are all getting long-in-the-tooth.

Well, not much to say, Toyota is selling very well. Lexus sells well, but if you take away their "near luxury" vehicles, (GS/Rx) sales probably go down by around 10k.

Chewy, RX and especially GS are hardly "near luxury."

Now Lexus haters have to justify Lexus' huge sales by qualifying only some models to be counted. Unbelievable. And a little sad....

Wha take them away???????????

Well, how about we add Passat sales to the Audi numbers. The cars you listed are all luxury, the EX adn the RX are entry luxury. Can I say "stat-padding" for Lexus (luxury brand)

Lets take away Camry & Corolla from Toyota, Civic and Accord from Honda, 3 series and 5 series from BMW, C & E class form MB, F-series and Focus from Ford, Silverado from GM and then we'll see who comes out on top ;). If they have the badge then the car is that brand. A Passat is a VW not an Audi. If you want to add Passat to Audi then you must add Camry sales to Lexus. Why not combine the the sales of VW/Audi and Toyota/Lexus and then we'll see who comes out on top.

You still guys don't get it, the ES and the RX are entry level luxury cars, they are not luxury cars like the rest of Lexus model range. That would be the same if Audi sold a reworked Volkswagen Passat and the A6 at the same time, charging less than for the reworked Passat. I don't care if Lexus sells them, I am just saying that Lexus did not sell much more pure, full out luxury cars as its competitors, it sold something like 16,000 luxury cars and 9,000 entry luxury cars, while its competitors only sell luxury cars. That is why Lexus numbers are higher, but I will stop now as this isn't the most important thing in the world.

chewy, you're still trying to defend this bogus logic? The A4 and A6 have historically been platform shared with Passat, is this no longer true? The Q7 is shared with the Touareg. I dont know if BMW platforms shares yet, but give em time. They're about the only ones left who havent, but their Rolls Royce brand is planning to platform share with the 7 series. Yes, it's higher end, but it's probably just the beginning.

If platform sharing is your criteria for not being counted, there are plenty of Lexuses, Infinitis, Acuras, Jags, Mercs, Audis, Lincs, Caddys, Bentleys, Porsches, (and probably more that I'm missing) that you couldnt count.

Maybe you're just pissed that a platform that underpins the (superlative) Camry could also be shared by a Lexus. But that would just make you a German car snob and a Lexus hater. Could that be???

And the new Corolla isnt even out yet. Woohoo. . .go gettem Toyota :-)

You people in the other article, the one with BMW sales figures, were complaining about sales decline because of product unavailability, but the Corolla is gaining sales, when the next model will be out in July.

gret point, BMW fans have been singing this song for a few months now, but it just doesnt fly. And besides, Lexus is still anxiously awaiting the LS460, LS600, GS460, plus new SC and LX, and future variations of the IS. We can play that waiting for sales game evey month, cant we.

You people in the other article, the one with BMW sales figures, were complaining about sales decline because of product unavailability, but the Corolla is gaining sales, when the next model will be out in July.

Should say

You KNOW people in the other article, the one with BMW sales figures, were complaining about sales decline because of product unavailability, but the Corolla is gaining sales, when the next model will be out in July.

So Toyota/Lexus is the new GM. Congrats! Let me get this straight. If a company sells the most cars, then it builds the best cars? This seems to be the logic that Toyota/Lex fans want to perpetuate.

I don't know about you, but I DON'T want to drive what everyone else is driving, regardless of who is championing it or how many cars they are they are selling. That's exactly the reason I wouldn't want to buy one. GM sells more vehicles than anybody. Do they make the best cars? Certainly not.

Arguing about a vehicles worth is pointless, especially when you bring sales figures into the argument. If everyone cared about practicality and reliablity (perceived), I guess we'd all drive a Toyota/Lexus. Every car manufacturer has their own niche. A BMW buyer is mainly interested in driving characteristics, where a Lexus buyer is mainly interested in refinement and reliabilty. I do think Toyota/Lexus is shooting for the mass market much moreso than BMW, Mercedes, or Audi.

To each his own.

Auto_expert said:
blah blah blah.....To each his own.

-------

Exactly!. Not everyone is nuts about cars like us. Some just want an affordable means to get from one place to another at speeds > 60mph with minimal mechanical breakdowns. So far Toyota is one of the few that demonstrate competency in that area. More power to them.

You cant have it both ways. The 3 series still leads in its class, and the E-Class leads its class. Therefore, under your logic, no one should want them. Arent they too mass marketed?

Lexus, the brand, is number one because it offers a line of amazing cars that people both aspire to, and then come back to due to their satisfaction with their purchase. Lexus is not trying to be a mass marketer, but nice try.

Auto_expert: so the best built cars have many reliability problems? That's good logic for sure. Oh btw, there are several people driving the 3-series, so is it not a good car then???

I'm living also in Europe. You and i know that LEXUS is growing more and more in europe. Slowly but very surely. Let's be honest and just appriciate security, pleasure and quality. In Europe the quality and security are very very important for us. Thats why we've great cars as BMW, AUDI and MB. But We know all that LEXUS is growing in europe because they are excellent cars. Slowly but surely.

ding indeed!

and toyota/lexus reliability is not merely "perceived," it is REAL.

the CR annual reliability/Frequency of Repair surveys, with over a million respondents last time around, showed even the cheapest toyota, after EIGHT years, is still more reliable than many cars merely 2 or 3 years old. and original price is NOT a factor. (M-B gets panned for being the most UNreliable cars, despite its price. ditto Range Rover.)

price and lux features aside, toyota not only holds its own against ANY other auto maker on the planet, it BEATS all comers. this goes for not just reliability, but state-of-the-art engineering.

lexus is in a class by itself.

sorry! the essage above was an answer to you Auto_expert.
Regards

i have not directly supported toyota with a new vehicle purchase since 1993. i have, on the other hand, bought 2 used toyotas since. (and a new ford in 2000; NO comparison in build quality, reliability and durability. and domestics in recent years rate even higher than euro brands in reliability.)

i would imagine my experience parallels that of TENS OF THOUSANDS of other car owners. we don't buy NEW toyotas (often), but we appreciate the quality and reliability of the product, even aged ones.

if/WHEN we DO buy a new car or truck, it's a NO BRAINER to go to a toyota store.

the steady increase in sales volume is reflecting the thousands like me who are now buying NEW cars and choosing toyota/lexus. and/or their friends and relatives acting on good advice. and/or those doing their own research.

and of course, above all, toyota and lexus ARE offering the finest automotive products today, in every segment.

and "finest" does NOT have to include "driving dynamics," "heritage," or flashy styling or any other INTANGIBLE that has no (or even negative) effect on quality, reliability, and durability.

another point: lexus has now been aroung long enuff that some are actually getting worn out. (in the hands of 2nd and 3rd owners, besides original owners.) along with the tens of thousands of older toyotas, loyal Lexus and Toyota owners continue to add to the sales figures of the new cars.

i project, barring a global economic crash, toyota sales will simply CONTINUE to climb over the years.

"and 'finest' does NOT have to include 'driving dynamics,' 'heritage,' or flashy styling or any other INTANGIBLE that has no (or even negative) effect on quality, reliability, and durability."

Agree with everything except driving dynamics. Well actually when your paying for a Corolla excellent driving dynamics is not expected, it's different if you purchase a Lexus. But yes, all intangibles asside, Toyota/Lexus are among some of the best automakers.

while driving dynamics may be a factor for most of us, and enthusiast drivers especially, i think it is WAY over-rated.

i used to have a ford focus SE, and did fully enjoy its driving dynamics. arguably the BEST in its price range until the Mazda3 came out.

it has been replaced by a corolla LE. which did not handle as well. UNTIL i put on a set of aftermarket rims and oversize tires. now it handles EVEN BETTER than the focus did!

just about ANY car can have it's performance enhanced; if the owner WANTS to go to the trouble and expense. (and the vast majority of owners are perfectly happy with the stock setups. INCLUDING buick drivers!)

the above represents just the BASE of toyota/lexus buyers. the satisfied loyal owners/repeat buyers.

add to this base, the NEW buyers coming from other brands (conquest sales). and new customers not approaced before, i.e. Lexus potential buyers in europe, japan, elsewhere.

toyota stock may well be an even better buy than the cars.

It seems that I struck a nerve with guys. Ha ha. Don't take offense.

Kart, I wasn't saying that the best built cars have reliabilty problems at. Not sure where you came up with that idea. In fact, Toyota/Lex makes some of the most reliable cars.

And Will, you make my point. Reliability is one of the major reasons to their success. I agree with you Delan, some people want to get from point A to point B reliably.

What I want to drive has nothing to do with sales figures. Yes, BMW/Merc/Audi sell a lot of cars.

Oh and 1970Toyota, what I'm saying about Toyota/Lex shooting for the mass market is that they try to appeal to everybody. Case in point, many people are quite vocal about BMW "Chris Bangle styling" saying how ugly it is. I think most would agree that it is daring, if not controversial. Toyota/Lex cares too much about appealing to everyone to do this. They will just copy it (many ques taken from M-B,BMW, audi) in their own sedate way. I'm not saying it's a bad thing. In fact it's a good thing.

Don't get me wrong. I think Toyota/Lexus builds some outstanding cars. They're obviously making many of the right moves, which is the reason for their sucess. But, they can't hold a candle to BMW in terms of driving dynamics, however. I think we all know this. Styling is a matter of personal preference, but I find Lexus styling bland and boring, where BMW is fresh, exciting, and agressive. Criticize their design all you want, the rest of the market has incorporated a lot of their design cues, including Lexus.

Any more questions/comments?

Auto_Expert: I know you didn't say anything about reliability, but the best built car in the world should not have any reliability problems.

"I don't know about you, but I DON'T want to drive what everyone else is driving"

"What I want to drive has nothing to do with sales figures."

Was it just me or did you contradict yourself?

About styling, yes it is all about personal preference. Perhaps some of Lexus styling traits appeared on BMW, however atleast it's not nearly as blatant as the new S Class interior copy and paste job of the 7 Series. BTW I'd rather have a so-so looking car over an ugly car anyday. Case in point I'd rather have a Corolla or previous generation Civic over a Pontiac Aztek.

1 yr old Lexus IS = 4319
4 yr old G35 = 5160
a 4 year old design betting a 1 year old design.. Priceless!

Toyota up 20.2%
Lexus Up 12.1%
Nissan Down 9.2%
Infiniti Down 9.6%

Toyota beating every company and putting every hater to shame: Priceless ;).

OH btw - the G35 is heavily discounted, my local dealer sent me an ad offering it for 29k. Go figure - I wonder why they sell over the regular is250 going for more than 33k and the is350 going for more than 40k.

I bet the 07 G35 is still cheaper. BTW I think it was Car and Driver or Motortrend that said "why would anyone by an IS350 (no not 250) over a 07G35" after they test drove the G35

montyz81,

That comment was made by Car & Driver. In case you didn't know C&D is one of the most biased auto publications out there. They praise anything BMW and hate anything Toyota.

If C&D ever did a comparo between the 3 Series, G35, and IS, I would bet anyone good money that this would be the result:

1st 335i (of course)
2nd G35
3rd IS350

C&D did however conduct a comparison between the IS350 and BMW 330i. It didn't matter that the IS was faster and had a much nicer interior. They couldn't stop yapping about the BMW's "magic feel."

when other car companies show their progress from the previous year, they show change adjusted to a 1 year calander of SALES DAYS. thats only like 250 days a year. so if you showed progress on a 365 day a year calander it would show different results.

im willing to bet that these were adjusted on purpose to show a greater increase in toyota sales, and a greater decrease in the other car makers sales.

AS USUALL.TOYOTA AT THE TOP.
CONGRATS TOYOTA.CAN'T WAIT TO SEE TOYOTA BECOMING THE NO 1 AUTOMAKER.

JUGNU

Forbes magazine's auto editor, Jerry Flint, calls toyota motors "Godzilla."

it's strengths are such it will stomp all competitors and dominate the industry. my analysis of the loyal core of repeat customers, supplemented by ever growing conquest sales, suggests this WILL happen. just a matter of time.

from the article about toyota and honda gains in canada:

"The Japanese are benefiting from continuous improvement in their product, penetration of new segments of the market and a steady strengthening of their dealer bodies," said John Casesa, a veteran industry observer and managing partner of Casesa Shapiro LLC.

It's inevitable that Toyota's market share will grow in North America, Mr. Casesa added, because of Detroit's near-term strategy of shrinking in order to deal with a financial crisis.

Magic feel? hahaha!!!!!!!!

Yes, magic feel, the one you get with greenbacks between your fingers.