Toyota Sales Slide 8.2% In September - Lexus Free Falls 16.7% For Month

Through September, TMNA reported sales of 1,779,302 vehicles, down 2.5 percent on a volume basis versus the same period in 2018. On a DSR basis, sales were down 2.0 percent versus last year.

Toyota division posted September 2019 sales of 150,796 vehicles, down 15.5 percent on a volume basis and down 8.2 percent on a DSR basis. Through September, Toyota division posted a decrease of 2.5 percent versus the same period in 2018.

“Led by a 51 percent increase in hybrid sales growth over the past three months, we’re doubling down and accelerating our pace,” said Jack Hollis, group vice president and general manager, Toyota division. “With new hybrid launches on some of our most successful models like Corolla, RAV4, Highlander, and more, we plan to further advance our spot as the hybrid leader for years to come.”

Lexus division posted September 2019 sales of 18,860 vehicles, down 23.3 percent on a volume basis and down 16.7 percent on a DSR basis. Through September, Lexus posted a decrease of 1.9 percent versus the same period in 2018.

“Lexus has seen a healthy first nine months to the year, and we are looking forward to a strong year end,” said David Christ, group vice president and general manager, Lexus division. “With best-ever year-to-date luxury SUV sales, supported by record hybrid models, are seeing good sales performance and the right product mix in our availability. Guests also are excited to see the updated Lexus RX and GX are arriving to showrooms this fall.”

September and Year-to-Date Highlights 

• RAV4 sales up 1.7 percent YTD, led by RAV4 Hybrid; marking a best-ever quarter for RAV4 Hybrid and a best-ever first three quarters for total RAV4
• Tacoma sales increased 2.0 percent YTD; marking its best-ever first three quarters
• Mirai sales up 8.1 percent YTD; marking its best-ever first three quarters
• Highlander sales up 3.8 percent for the quarter; marking its best-ever third quarter
• C-HR sales increased 2.4 percent for the quarter; marking its best-ever third quarter
• Total Toyota division car sales up 0.9 percent in the third quarter
• Total Toyota division hybrid sales increased 34.3 percent in September; up 15.8 percent YTD
• RC sales increased 29.5 percent in September; up 29.7 percent YTD
• ES sales up 10.3 percent YTD
• Total Lexus division luxury SUV (LUV) sales up 2.1 percent year-to-date; marking a best-ever first three quarters
• Total Lexus division hybrid sales increased 46.0 percent YTD

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

Car4life1 - 10/1/2019 11:21:45 AM

+3 Boost

So Lexus sedans are suffering a brutal death with the ES being their only life support and their SUVs are feeling the pressure of competition with the NX slowly losing its footing while the RX relies on the loyal customer base it’s built over the years but slowly comes within striking distance of the Germans

malba2367 - 10/1/2019 12:07:36 PM

-2 Boost

Others will report big drops well. This is an early indicator of the coming economic downturn....expected to occur after 10 years of expansion.

scenicbyway12 - 10/1/2019 3:24:55 PM

0 Boost

I think it's more a the continuing trends of people leave sedan for CUV, especially in the luxury market and of course awful styling.

Truthy - 10/1/2019 6:41:36 PM

-6 Boost

Xavier, how are the democrats pushing for a recession? Give specific examples if you can. Spoiler alert, you cannot.
It is the result of the incompetent trade policies and misguided tax breaks of the corrupt administration.

malba2367 - 10/1/2019 1:51:57 PM

-1 Boost

It has nothing to do with politics and pushing people out of work...the economy is cyclical and recessions happen. We have had an economic expansion of record length...it can't go on forever.

Truthy - 10/1/2019 6:47:32 PM

-5 Boost

And the expansion is 9 years old. tRump has only been in office for 2.5 years, yet claims credit for it. The trends were already in place when he took office. In fact, the average quarterly GDP were higher in Obama's second term than in tRump's last 2.5. The stock market and employment trends were in place as well.
The only trends that changed under tRump were dramatic increases in the federal budget deficit and the trade deficit. Not a very good economic scorecard.

valhallakey - 10/1/2019 10:34:22 PM

-1 Boost

Well he did dump 1/2B of sugar $s into and already good performing economy, thus the huge annual deficits (at $1.1T so far for FY 2019 vs about $580B in 2017 and we haven't even added up September yet) that are being run up. We are certainly going to pay for that sugar high at some point as we will have little room to maneuver and not a lot of tools available when a recession does hit. In addition it is likely fewer investors will buy US debt as they must know that we are no longer even pretending to be doing something about it. Could have a big impact on the dollar and US buying power. @Truthy, you are mostly right... the sugar high of dumping $1/2B into the economy had some short term positive impact but not near what people like Paul Ryan and Trump were stating the impact would be and the long term impact is disastrous.

Truthy - 10/2/2019 12:08:08 PM

-6 Boost

The manufacturing numbers just came out and they are disastrous - worst in 10 years!
And trade associations, banks and economists (those pesky experts) all blame the erratic, il-conceived trade war. tRump of course blames the fed which shows again tRump has no concept of macro-economics.
Plus the fed chair is tRump's pick.