Toyota Sales Flatline In May With A 3.9% Decrease In May - Lexus Sales Dump By 8.6%

Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) Inc., today reported its U.S. May 2017 sales of 218,248 units, a decrease of 0.5 percent from May 2016 on a volume basis. With one more selling day in May 2017 compared to May 2016, sales were down 4.5 percent on a daily selling rate (DSR) basis. 
 
Toyota division posted May 2017 sales of 192,847 units, up 0.1 percent on a volume basis, and down 3.9 percent on a DSR basis.   
 
“Although down from last year, the auto industry is still enjoying a solid year in 2017, with light trucks continuing to shine,” said Jack Hollis, group vice president and general manager, Toyota division. “We continue to see the SUV segment leading the way, with a best-ever May for RAV4, Highlander, and overall light truck for the Toyota division, where inventory remains at healthy levels for our customers during the summer buying season. We are also thrilled at how well the market is accepting our newest model, the C-HR, with its first full month of sales in May, as our dealers have started to build some inventory. So far, we are seeing strong interest from a younger demographic for the C-HR, which is exciting.”
 
Lexus posted sales of 25,401 vehicles in May 2017, down 4.8 percent on a volume basis, and down 8.6 percent on a DSR basis. 
 
“As we press further into 2017, Luxury Utility Vehicles continue to lead Lexus sales, with a best-ever May for the NX and our total LUV lineup,” said Jeff Bracken, Lexus group vice president and general manager. “But continued interest in utility vehicles is not our only news—sales of the LC 500 and LC 500h kicked-off in May to a great start, exceeding our expectations and allowing our new LC owners to experience amazing.” 
 
May 2017 Highlights:

• Camry posts sales of 32,547 units
• Total TMNA, Toyota, and Lexus divisions all post new May record for light truck sales
• TMNA light trucks sales up 12.4 percent
• Toyota division light truck up more than 13 percent
• C-HR posts first full month of sales with 1,848 units
• RAV4 sales rise nearly 19 percent; a best-ever May
• Highlander up 22.5; a best-ever May
• 4Runner up more than 6 percent
• Tacoma up nearly 7 percent
• Tundra up 9.6 percent
• Lexus division LUV sales up 7.5 percent
• NX sets new best-ever May, volume up 24.3 percent, and up 19.3 on DSR basis
• LX up almost 38 percent on volume, and up 32.4 percent on a DSR basis

 
*Note:  Unless otherwise stated, all figures reflect unadjusted raw sales volume

ilovecar2015 - 6/1/2017 2:31:38 PM

+3 Boost

Some highlights:

LC: 419. Pretty good start
RX: 8,849
NX: 5,009
ES: 4,228

LX: 404 38% gain
GS: 615 45% drop

dpalmo - 6/1/2017 3:06:22 PM

-8 Boost

Those are some seriously sad numbers for the new LC500. I don't think Toyota will ever recuperate its development cost, nor will it add ANY value to the Lexus brand.

Will all of Lexus's customers flocking to other brands such as Audi, I think a big rethinking of their current sales strategy is in place. Maybe bigger discounts are needed.

ilovecar2015 - 6/1/2017 3:31:08 PM

+1 Boost

I think you're rushed into judging too early. 404 on a nearly $100K vehicle is impressive, especially given its first month so availability is limited and discount is near to none.

Car4life1 - 6/1/2017 3:15:35 PM

-1 Boost

I think tough competition finally caught up with Lexus, for years they have been relying on the success of their bread n butter RX and ES, but with stiff competition from Hyundai's sonata/genesis, Acura's MDX, Volvos XC90, and ofcourse the germans, it appears Lexus fan club has cooled off...

The Next 5 years will be very interesting to watch in the premium and luxury categories, some manufacturers will be forced to make drastic changes to lineups
and design languages by shareholders and corporate execs all in the name of survival

The new motto is eat their lunch before they eat yours...exhibit A Mercedes-Benz

From the Odd yet successful CLA to The Maybach S Class, G Class Variants, and AMG trims, they are showing no mercy, not to mention having 40 percent of the the commercial truck market in North America, i.e. Buses, Cargo Vans, and More

dpalmo - 6/1/2017 3:48:31 PM

-9 Boost

Actually Mercedes' growth is NOT sustainable in the long term. MB has very low profit margins thanks to their little Formula 1 project.

MB will eventually be toppled by Audi in the near future. Their persistence to go upmarket, along with their continued participation in the F1, will be the final nail in the coffin.

Car4life1 - 6/1/2017 4:12:52 PM

+4 Boost

Unfortunately Audi dropped the ball in China, its saving grace, now they are playing catch up. their growth was stunted over there by Mercedes, and now Benz is reaping the benefits...hence their title, the #1 selling lux make in the world

Firewombat - 6/1/2017 6:16:56 PM

+4 Boost

@dpalmo taking the bait in terms of responding to a bot, GermanNut, GermanNut's cousin, or what ever, but a Forbes article from last month points out that both MB and BMW make more profit per car than Audi, which is surprising considering Audi is part of VAG with parts sharing etc. So your comment is idiotic.

dpalmo - 6/1/2017 7:28:17 PM

-2 Boost

What? MB and BMW have HIGHER profit margins than Audi, even with ALL of the platform/engine sharing that Audi benefits from? That is absolutely impossible. Fake news!

Firewombat - 6/2/2017 2:33:08 AM

+5 Boost

Yup, go read the article and the stats. I don't make the news, just reporting it. Same report had Porsche as the most profitable car company, seeing that they are also part of VAG it's probably just a management thing at Audi. They do seem to be battling with stakeholder engagement and ethics atm so it's probably just a symptom of that kind overall management of the brand.