AUTO SALES: Toyota's 4Runner Outpaces The C-HR Sales By ~2.5x YTD, Highlander Nearly DOUBLES 4Runner Sales YTD — What's THIS Tell You?

It is hard to say what it tells you - because the market is largely driven by INCENTIVES from the Manufacturers - and far less by consumer preference than you would think. Obviously for the C-HR - one must also add in Competition from other makes in that segment as well.

The Highlander is the vehicle you would expect to be in the lead there - it is based on the Camry - and is the obvious move for mid-size former sedan buyers - even though the Camry still sells very well.

I do not follow the 4-Runner to comment on its sales - is something less than 10,000 a month unusual high numbers for it compared to the past - PLUS - had Toyota added incentives to boost sales?

The crossover WAVE has a self fulfilling prophecy to it - and is seemingly gaining momentum - BUT it appears that inflation is now moving up - and a recession is coming - typical of conservative administrations. WIth the average age of vehicles on the road now approaching 12 years - which is well over 100,000 miles - (The average is about 1000 miles a month on a vehicle)- sales will start to slow - and it is typical that in recessions - people move to smaller cars. WE will see if that means smaller Crossovers - or back to cars - or maybe to Hybrids. EV still are a limited demand situation until the infrastructure improves.

BUT it appears that inflation is now moving up - and a recession is coming - typical of conservative administrations.

Would you care to comment on the Jimmy Carter regime? I will guide you there with 19% interest rates.

I never mentioned the past - Nor did I intend this to be a comparison
There is no direct comparison with the past - as the FED has limited ability to control the economy having extended incredibly low rates far longer than was needed - If a recession hits - it has little power to fight it by reducing rates. I note that interest rates are still near historic lows for a booming economy. At that time - a hot economy had the FED raising interest rates at a pace that could not be justified by todays conditions. AN there have been LOTS of recessions over the years of MY lifetime alone - and all had different reasons for them- pointing to the past does not prevent one.

What I was doing was pointing out the conditions NOW - and the fact is - inflation is starting to ramp up - and there is still stagnant lack of growth in Middle class family income - even with employment at historic highs. The average middle class family income in the USA cannot afford a new car for instance. While the Trump tax ct gave the upper class a major cut - the middle class largely got little or nothing - and many are paying more - Add in that Gasoline has gone up almost 50% since Trump took office - and the Middle class is agan falling behind. With a record economic expansion - we can hardly say that a recession would be a surprise - and it appears to be coming. And in a recession - people do migrate to smaller more efficient vehicles.

Jimmy Carter! You have to go back 40 years to the Carter administration to moan about a Democrat. (As if the previous 8 years of Nixon/Ford had nothing to do with that mess.) It's telling you ignored the 16 years of economic growth and low inflation of the Clinton and Obama years to get there.

Most people with brains realize that the racial-token president was an economic idiot, but when you elect someone for the color of their skin but not the content of their character that's the sh!t you get. Clinton was good on economics but Carter and Obama could not have been more wrong if they tried. Carter is just an idiot who meant no wrong. Obama's goal was to destroy and he damn near did.

I believe the CH-R is a bit too odd for the majority of consumers and that is why it is not selling well. You don't need it and the Toyota Rav4. As for the 4Runner units, it is surprising to see as this is a basic truck with a cheap (plastic) interior and a big price tag even for base and mid models. Highlander sales are to be expected. People still want as much "space" as their budget allows and the tall ride height and good outward visibility of an SUV is attractive to many buyers. But keep in mind these are not Camry or F150 type sales figures. We are still at the level of rounding errors here in a US market of 17 million units in 2017.

The top trim 4Runner has a different (better) front fascia. The interior instrument panel
& center console has been updated. So its a mature vehicle for customers willing to pay.

The CHR is a terrible product.

Bingo

4RUNNER is pretty much the only choice for a body on frame midsize SUV. Off-road capable, easily lifted, and tons of aftermarket support. The only other truck I would compare it to is a Jeep Wrangler, but even that they are hard to compare as they are so different.

What is Lexus/Toyota's plan with the GX460 (platform mate to the 4-Runner)?

As old as it is, the GX460 still seems to be a remarkably strong seller.

What people don't realize is that the GX's platform is 22 years old and counting. It debuted in 1996 and has had only perfunctory changes with new shells mounted to the frame.

This is why dynamically it is an absolute pig on the road compared to similarly price Mercedes or Audi.

My advice to Toyota would be to turn Land Cruiser into a premium brand to go against LR/RR et. al.

The GX sells well because they price it so that when they agree to a 25% discount from list, the buyer thinks he's scored.