Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., reported March sales results of 176,222 units, a decrease of 9.2 percent compared to the same period last year, on a daily selling rate (DSR) basis. On a raw volume basis, unadjusted for 27 selling days in March 2011 compared to 26 selling days in March 2010, TMS sales were down 5.7 from the year-ago month.
The Toyota Division posted March total sales of 155,540 units, a decrease of 10.1 percent on a DSR basis from March 2010, a month in which TMS reported record-high market share for the year. On a raw volume basis, Toyota Division sales were down 6.7 percent from the year-ago month. The Lexus Division reported total sales of 20,682 units, down 1.5 percent from March 2010, on a DSR basis. Volume-wise, Lexus Division sales were up 2.3 percent over last March.
“Our thoughts are with our employees, business partners and their families in Japan during this difficult time. All of us at Toyota pledge our full support to the relief efforts and I thank our associates, dealers and suppliers for their generous donations, which, combined with Toyota Motor Corporation’s donation, have reached over $5 million to date,” said Bob Carter, Toyota Division group vice president and general manager, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. “Our sales momentum continued in March and contributed to a strong first-quarter close. With improving purchase intentions and healthy inventory levels heading into April, we feel confident about our sales outlook for the month ahead.”
For the first quarter, TMS reported sales of 433,924 vehicles, an increase of 11.0 percent over the same period in 2010, on a DSR basis. With 75 selling days in the first quarter of 2011, compared to 74 selling day in the first quarter of 2010, sales were up 12.5 percent on an unadjusted raw volume basis.
Toyota Division
Toyota Division passenger cars recorded combined sales of 91,324 units, down 1.2 percent from last March. Passenger car sales were led by Camry and Camry Hybrid with combined sales of 31,464 units for the month, and Corolla reported combined March sales of 30,234 units. The Prius mid-size gas-electric hybrid posted March sales of 18,605 units, up 52.0 percent over the year-ago month.
Toyota Division light trucks recorded March sales of 64,216 units, a decrease of 20.4 percent year-over-year. Light truck sales were led by the RAV4 compact SUV, which posted monthly sales of 16,082, while Highlander and Highlander Hybrid reported combined sales of 9,828 units for the month. The 4Runner mid-size SUV recorded sales of 4,369 units; the Tacoma mid-size pickup posted sales of 10,144 units; and the Tundra full-size pickup reported sales of 7,515 units. The Sienna minivan recorded sales of 10,449, an increase of 29.4 compared to March 2010.
Scion
Scion posted March sales of 5,540 units, an increase of 57.8 percent year-over-year. The tC sports coupe led the way with sales of 2,481 units, up 113.7 percent over last March. The xB urban utility vehicle posted March sales of 1,970 units, an increase of 16.4 percent over the year-ago month. The xD reported sales of 1,089 units for the month, up 37.4 percent over last March.
Lexus Division
Lexus reported passenger car sales of 10,503 units, up 0.5 percent over last March. The entry luxury sedan ES led Lexus passenger car sales with sales of 3,732 units, while the IS lineup reported combined sales of 2,956 units. The all-new CT 200h hybrid posted 2,199 units in its first month of sales.
Lexus light trucks recorded sales of 10,179 units, down 3.5 percent from last March. Lexus light truck sales were led by the RX luxury utility vehicle, which posted combined March sales of 8,600 units, up 2.7 percent over the year-ago month. The GX mid-size luxury utility vehicle reported sales of 1,238 units.
TMS Hybrids
TMS posted March sales of 24,739 hybrid vehicles, an increase 42.5 percent compared to the same period last year. Toyota Division posted sales of 20,839 hybrids for the month, up 44.1 percent over the year-ago month. Lexus Division reported sales 3,900 hybrids in March, an increase of 34.8 percent over March 2010
