Toyota January Sales down 2.3%

drew630 submitted on 02/01/2008 Official AutoSpies Timestamp: 3:03 PM
from: news.moneycentral.msn.com

[54] user comments | category: Spy Shots

Tags: Toyota

Toyota

TORRANCE, Calif. (AP) - Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc. said Friday its U.S. sales fell 2.3 percent in January, led by steep decline for the automaker's popular Corolla sedan and high-end Lexus line.

Toyota reported total sales fell to 171,849 vehicles during the month, compared with 175,850 in January 2006.

Toyota model sales fell 1.4 percent to 151,550 vehicles, from 153,732 vehicles a year ago.

Corolla sales sank 18.7 percent to 20,736 vehicles from 25,519. Toyota plans to launch a new version of the car this month.

Sales of the Camry, Toyota's best seller in the U.S., rose 0.4 percent to 31,601 from 31,461. Prius hybrid sales surged 37.1 percent to 11,379 vehicles from 8,299 vehicles.

Lexus brand sales fell 8.2 percent to 20,299 vehicles from 22,118.

Total light truck sales increased 2.2 percent to 77,263 vehicles from 75,594 previously. Toyota division truck sales rose 1.6 percent, while Lexus brand truck sales jumped 6.8 percent. Read Article

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DWolff - 2/1/2008 3:31:52 PM

+7 Boost

What goes up must come down

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0to60 - 2/4/2008 11:18:27 AM

+1 Boost

Thats what I am saying about BMW! Deboost on!

theoptimisticpessimist - 2/1/2008 3:32:27 PM

+2 Boost

Holy Crap! what happened to Lexus!

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VISO - 2/1/2008 4:47:18 PM

-6 Boost

Still outsold MB.

JUGNU - 2/1/2008 4:06:52 PMView My AgentSpace

-1 Boost

Lexus desperately needs a coupe to rival 3 series, G37, A5...etc. And also a new RX would be great for the sales.

JUGNU

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1970toyotamarc - 2/1/2008 4:51:09 PM

-2 Boost

Lexus' only really problem number is with the ES350 sales slide. The LS was down from an obscenely high figure from last January due to the overwhelming surge of buyers of the new model. This will be its fate every month this year. Its sales are still quite high, they just cant match last year's numbers The rest of the lineup is doing fine. I wonder what, if anything, Lexus has on tap to combat the ES's falling numbers.

The Tundra had another phenomenal month. And even tho there was a report earlier this week that said that potential hybrid buyers are not researching Priuses, they sure seem to be buying them, as, month after month, its sales continue to increase, beating many mainstream sedans like the Fusion.

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S4cabriofoxone - 2/2/2008 1:08:00 AMView My AgentSpace

-2 Boost

Why would the ES decrease so much? IMO, it should be the RX that's decreasing.

LexSucks - 2/2/2008 7:14:48 PM

-5 Boost

You mean all the old Toyota Camrys?

ICON - 2/1/2008 5:07:40 PM

+1 Boost

With almost 70% of Lexus total US sales depending on 2 Models(ES and RX)and their numbers declining you can see why Lexus numbers will be down.

I predict that BMW USA will surpass Lexus this year for #1 premium auto maker and won't be looking back for some time to come. BMW has too many cool vehicles in the pipeline 1,M3,X6,7,CS,5er etc.

It will be fun to watch....

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1970toyotamarc - 2/1/2008 11:26:43 PM

+5 Boost

and about half of BMW's sales come from one model, the 3. so what?

BMW is likely to experience an uptick this year due to coming up with a car at every price point, segment, and even inventing new ones. But some might say that they are just spreading themselves too thin, like MBZ did by having to have just one more SUV than needed (R). I just dont know of many non-BMW owners salivating at the upcoming slew of weirdness coming out of Bavaria. BMW wont be too happy if a bunch of 3 owners trade down to the 1, or X5 drivers move over to the X6.

S4cabriofoxone - 2/2/2008 1:10:17 AMView My AgentSpace

-2 Boost

"and about half of BMW's sales come from one model, the 3. so what?"

However, the thing about BMW is that you can't really go wrong. Every car they sell is either a class-leader or near the top. The 3, 5 and X5 are their top sellers, and each of them is an excellent vehicle that doesn't need a major redesign.

Lexus's bread and butter, the RX, definitely needs to be redesigned, and its other half (ES) is seeing poor sales for reasons that are beyond me.

Put simply, BMW has a stronger lineup. Their cars stay fresh longer, and if they fall behind BMW always updates them in time.

ICON - 2/2/2008 1:26:47 PM

-3 Boost

Well stated S4...you cannot compare a 3 series vehicle to an ES.
The ES has not appeared consistently on 10 BEST lists as well as become a benchmark for its market segment. The 3er is not a repackaged cheaper model (ES/Toyota -Avalon)whose appeal is mainly to a much older audience.

My point was if Lexus depends on the ES for so much of its sales volume it could find itself competeing with many different models for its same volume in a declining economy...(reenergized Ford,GM,ec.)

autopro - 2/2/2008 2:49:24 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

Lexus planned a flat year for 2008 only 2to5k more than last year.In 2009 is when they plan a large increase.Their sales are still #1 and with very little incentives.Mercedes and BMW's product line is so much bigger,and their offering big incentives.

enthusiastx11 - 2/3/2008 4:39:07 PM

+1 Boost

well, toyota1970...

it's true that 40%+ of bmw's us sales are 3-series. and newsflash: it's a GREAT car!

65% of lexus sales are ES and RX. newsflash: they're BORING cars for soccer moms and 70 year-olds!

S4cabriofoxone - 2/4/2008 12:04:35 AMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

"The 7 series is a class leader or near the top? It's obvious your bias is showing through."

That is the ONE exception. I don't like the 7 at all and wouldn't consider buying one.

YOU are the one who is biased, my friend.

enthusiastx11 - 2/1/2008 6:40:45 PM

0 Boost

interesting that lexus sales are down 8% for the month, while mercedes and bmw have recorded RECORD months.

apparently, lexus buyers are more sensitive to price and harder economic times...

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krackerhatesme - 2/1/2008 9:40:29 PM

+2 Boost

what? one month and you make that claim. new models are comming out... lets wait till next year to see whos on top.... Toyota beat GM for 2007 in world wide sales!

1970toyotamarc - 2/1/2008 10:57:38 PM

+1 Boost

enthusiast, I'll ignore the BMW part of your statement, since you seem to be the only one who knows their sales for the month. Nobody else has reported them yet.

As for Merc, well I guess all those buyers of S classes must be sensitive to economic times, because once again, the LS outsold the S class, even though it has now been on sale over a year. The one model causing the biggest decline for Lexus is their lowest end model, so your flame-baiting comment has no basis, big surprise.

As for you Rosko, Toyota has had very few recalls in the past 2 years. They had one bad year (2005), and about the only people who still care about that are a few blogger haters like yourself. No, Rosko, analysis of sales trends takes a little more savvy than that I am afraid.

I will grant that sales are down. These first of months were much more fun for the last couple years, when ToyLex was up every month. But that was not ever going to be sustainable. The only way to ensure that would be to come out with a whole new model every six months (hello, BMW).

S4cabriofoxone - 2/2/2008 1:12:48 AMView My AgentSpace

-1 Boost

"As for Merc, well I guess all those buyers of S classes must be sensitive to economic times, because once again, the LS outsold the S class, even though it has now been on sale over a year."

Has this not been discussed already? The S-Class attracts a different set of buyers than the LS. It is far more expensive when options are put on. It goes over $100K ridiculously easily, while the LS460L doesn't touch six figures, even with every single option.

1970toyotamarc - 2/2/2008 2:34:00 PM

+2 Boost

You cant really continue to make that argument, as the LS600hL continues to sell well. It is hard to find breakdowns within model ranges for any of the uber-sedans, but this quote from Wikipedia shows how well the $100K+ Lexus has sold.

"By March 2007, the initial allocation of LS hybrids in the U.S. was nearly sold out, with 1,850 preorders placed months before debut.[53]

As of October, Lexus sold 6,093 LS600h's worldwide, the LS600h went on sale in July. Toyota initially targeted 7,000 total units for 2007."

So Lexus sold well at $35-40K and sells well at $70-115K.

GS sales were up, LX sales were way up, and LS, while down, remained stronger than its competition. Again, I will repeat, there is no factual or logical basis for the claim, "lexus buyers are more sensitive to price and harder economic times." Opinions are fine, but if they cant be backed up by facts or logic, they hold no weight, especially when they come from haters and/or fanboys.

audirevolution - 2/2/2008 3:35:45 PM

+3 Boost

actually GS sales were down:

http://www.reliableplant.com/article.asp?pagetitle=Toyota%20says%20its%20U.S.%20vehicle%20sales%20fell%202.3%25%20in%20January&articleid=10337

theoptimisticpessimist - 2/2/2008 5:10:36 PM

+1 Boost

ES 350 4,346 5,320 -18.3 4,346 5,320 -18.3
LS 460/600h L 1,906 3,006 -36.6 1,906 3,006 -36.6
SC 430 183 302 -39.4 183 302 -39.4
GS 350 1,270 1,368 -7.2 1,270 1,368 -7.2
GS 460/450h 210 183 14.8 210 183 14.8
IS 250/350 3,262 3,395 -3.9 3,262 3,395 -3.9
TOTAL LEXUS PASS. CAR 11,177 13,574 -17.7 11,177 13,574 -17.7

LX 570 710 287 147.4 710 287 147.4
GX 470 1,657 1,713 -3.3 1,657 1,713 -3.3
RX 350/400h 6,755 6,544 3.2 6,755 6,544 3.2

theoptimisticpessimist - 2/2/2008 5:11:48 PM

-1 Boost

Rats, heres the rest.

TOTAL LEXUS LIGHT
TRUCK 9,122 8,544 6.8 9,122 8,544 6.8

S4cabriofoxone - 2/4/2008 12:07:02 AMView My AgentSpace

-2 Boost

"You cant really continue to make that argument, as the LS600hL continues to sell well."

True, but the S-Class still sells better, and at the same price to boot.

1970toyotamarc - 2/2/2008 2:39:04 PM

+1 Boost

Who knows why Autospies lets comments like that thru, and why they always seem to come up on Toy/Lex threads. Toy/Lex haters are such a fine, upstanding group. Makes me love the brand even more.

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toolatetorace - 2/2/2008 7:44:31 PM

+7 Boost

wow! I'm not one of toyota's best friends but you better ck. into anger manegment

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800over - 2/2/2008 12:33:10 PM

+5 Boost

Nobody noticed that if you take out the expiring Corolla model that Toyota's sales actually went up? If I were in the market for a Corolla I'd certainly put off a purchase till the new ones arrive at least to see..(or to get a rock bottom price). Although I guess it's easier to be all doom and gloom.

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autopro - 2/2/2008 2:54:13 PMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

Don't worry their negative and hateful coments can't stop the runaway train known as TOYOTA.

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autopro - 2/2/2008 2:55:32 PMView My AgentSpace

+3 Boost

Ineed to proof read my comments before I hit the submit button,sorry about the spelling.

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LexSucks - 2/2/2008 7:16:48 PM

-5 Boost

Nice! That's what happens when your cars are blandsville,

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bigTYME - 2/4/2008 4:02:20 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

Tell me about it. I was in the GS460 for half an hour playing with the nav and a/c, and not even one person came up to sit in it.

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Mercedes - 2/4/2008 2:25:00 AM

+1 Boost

Awww Lexus experienced another sales drop. Oh well. Their entire car lineup has been re-done during the past 12-24 month. Now they'll all age at the same time and go stale with the SC430 leading the way having been around since the PREVIOUS generations of all the newer sedans. Like the first post says, what goes up must come down. I predict BMW will outsell Lexus this year. With the 1-Series, M3, X6 and 7-Series BMW is going to smash Lexus' tired ass lineup. What does Lexus have coming this year, a new RX? Ain't gonna cut it this time!

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Mercedes - 2/4/2008 2:30:28 AM

+2 Boost

People these sales numbers have nothing to do with Lexus' buyers being more sensitive to this or that, nor does it have to do with reliability. Lexus' lineup is simply getting old and the formerly new IS and GS are yesterday's news and lets face it the GS never sold worth a damn to begin with. GS460 sales just like GS430 sales are a joke and will dry up as usual. BMW 3-Series, C-Class and Infiniti G take the spotlight away from the IS, which in its defense is a great choice in the segment. The IS-F isn't a sales chart star, wasn't meant to be. The LS while still the segment leader was only a few hundred units above the S-Class last month, not good for a car that is thousands of dollars cheaper. Face it what was new 18-24 months ago is now old and the SC430 just needs to be put out of its misery. Another Pebble Beach edition is in order for the aged golf set, that ought to get 200-300 sales.

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autopro - 2/4/2008 11:14:27 AMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

Bow down to Toyota\lexus their still #1 and still have the most money.

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