Toyota/Lexus Sales Tumble; Prius Down 39.8 Percent

by Robert Farago

Published: June 3rd, 2008

toyota lexus sales tumble prius down 39 8 percent

For Toyota NA, it's the best of times and the worst of times. Averaging it all out, the tempus ain't that great. More specifically (and less poetically), ToMoCo's U.S. ops were off 7.9 percent for the month. (And to their credit, they don't make you hunt– Ford style– for the bottom line.) The Toyota brand tanked by 6.3 percent, while Lexus hit the buffers by, get this, 19.6 percent. Despite their fuel economy, Toyota's passenger cars only held steady, losing .9 percent in all. The Prius took an enormous whack; moving down 39.8 percent, from 24,009 sales in May '07 to 15,011 sales in May '08. The Yaris (+26.6) and Scion xB (+40.9) scored notable victories. On the truck side, as you'd imagine, there's plenty of blood in the water. The new Tundra took it on the chin, shedding 34 percent of last May's sales. The FJ is in deep trouble, down 50.1 percent. Overall, Toyota's light trucks lost 15.5 percent. But hey, the new Sequoia's up 75 percent! Now if gas prices suddenly drop a buck or two…

Robert Farago

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Lprocter1982 on Jun 03, 2008

I'm wondering if maybe everyone who wants or can afford a Prius is close to getting one.

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Kjc117 on Jun 03, 2008

Toyota can not keep up with demand on the Prius. That is why the low sales figures. Toyota admitted this last year that demand outpacing output. Also, this why Toyota look to manufacture the Pruis in the U.S. In my area there are no Prii available among 5 Toyota dealers. Toyota is still the best in the full line OEM's. Honda is not a full line OEM. Honda may want to expedite that small hybrid. For Honda there is no recession per Fuki-san.

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Johnson on Jun 04, 2008

Prius sales are COMPLETELY supply-limited, there is nothing more to say than that. How about Scion sales, overall they are up by double digit percentage. I pose a question now to TTAC staff: will you retract your comments about the demise of Scion, or that Scion was in big trouble?

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Robert Farago on Jun 04, 2008
Johnson : I pose a question now to TTAC staff: will you retract your comments about the demise of Scion, or that Scion was in big trouble? First, please keep in mind that there is no "party line" at TTAC. We accept blogs, reviews and editorials from all positions. Second, I reported back in March that Scion sales had dropped for 16 straight months. That's a fact. Third, tempus fugit. Obviously, Scion has bounced back in a big way. Anyone making fuel-efficient cars is a big winner in today's market. (Hence Aveo sales.) Fourth, short term sales are not the ultimate arbiter of brand health. The Cayenne was an ENORMOUS hit for Porsche-- which damaged the brand and positions them poorly for the AGW-related legislative environment. Fifth, if you're still smarting from Paul Neidermeyer's xB review, deal. Our reviewers call it like they see it. Your sales may vary.

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