Toyota Reports September Sales
1 October 1998
Toyota Reports Strong Third Quarter and Best-Ever September Sales
TORRANCE, Calif., Oct. 1 -- Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A.,
Inc., reported today best-ever September sales of 108,545 vehicles, up
42.6 percent over last year. Sales for the first three quarters, calendar-
year-to-date (CYTD), totaled 997,185, an increase of 7.0 percent compared to
the same period last year.
"The Fed's interest-rate cut bodes well for the final quarter and should
add a much-needed boost to consumer confidence," said Yale Gieszl, TMS
executive vice president.
The Toyota Division posted record September sales of 96,271, up
37.4 percent from last year. The Lexus Division set a September sales record
with 12,274, up 102.4 percent. Lexus CYTD sales stand at 112,274, an increase
of 58.7 percent over last year.
A record-setting September for Toyota passenger cars was led by Camry with
best-ever September sales of 32,780, an increase of 28.3 percent. Camry CYTD
sales now stand at 302,738, up 0.5 percent over last year. Also setting a
September record was Avalon with 7,615 sales, up 148.2 percent over the same
period last year. Corolla enjoyed a strong September with sales of 19,302, an
increase of 61.9 percent over last year, while Celica sales rose 19.3 percent.
Toyota Division light trucks set a September record, led by 4Runner with
best-ever September sales of 10,032, up 5.6 percent and RAV4 with best-ever
September sales of 5,476, an increase of 18.3 percent. Sienna set a
September record for a Toyota passenger van with sales of 6,704 units. Tacoma
4WD pickup sales rose 14.6 percent to 6,089 and 2WD Tacoma sales rose
6.8 percent to 5,847. Total Tacoma sales were 11,936, up 10.6 percent over
the same period last year. Land Cruiser continued to record strong sales with
1,157, an increase of 25.2 percent.
The Lexus Division was led by the all-new RX 300 sport utility vehicle,
with sales of 3,972 units. The LX 470 more than doubled its sales over last
September with 1,011, up 117.4 percent, while the luxury division's flagship
sedan, the LS 400, rose 3.0 percent to 1,763. The GS 300/400 also posted
strong sales with 2,101 units.
Sales of North American-built vehicles made up 64.2 percent of total
September deliveries, up from 59.4 percent the previous year.
TOYOTA/LEXUS SALES
SEPTEMBER, 1998
-- CURRENT MONTH -- -- CALENDAR YEAR TO DATE --
DSR % DSR %
1998 1997 CHG 1998 1997 CHG
TOTAL VEHICLE
SALES 108,545 76,130 42.6 997,185 932,302 7.0
Memo: Total
Toyota Div. 96,271 70,065 37.4 884,911 861,561 2.7
Memo: Total
Lexus Div. 12,274 6,065 102.4 112,274 70,741 58.7
TOYOTA DIV.
IMPORT CAR 9,169 7,839 17.0 107,921 100,003 7.9
LEXUS IMPORT CAR 7,291 5,600 30.2 77,716 64,812 19.9
TOYOTA DIV NA
BUILT CARS 51,023 34,443 48.1 451,283 468,231 -3.6
TOTAL TOYOTA CARS 67,483 47,882 40.9 636,920 633,046 0.6
SPORT UTILITY
VEHICLES 21,648 15,517 39.5 178,917 163,656 9.3
Memo: Lexus
Sport Utility 4,983 465 971.6 34,558 5,929 482.9
SMALL VANS 6,708 135 4868.9 59,101 3,634 1526.3
PICKUPS 12,706 12,596 0.9 122,247 131,966 -7.4
* NORTH AMERICAN
BUILT VEHICLES
COROLLA 19,301 11,884 62.4 190,950 170,792 11.8
CAMRY 24,107 19,491 23.7 200,684 244,561 -17.9
AVALON 7,615 3,068 148.2 59,649 52,878 12.8
SIENNA 6,704 0 NA 59,013 0 NA
PICKUP 11,936 10,788 10.6 115,241 107,240 7.5
TOTAL 69,663 45,231 54.0 625,537 575,471 8.7
N.A. VEHICLES %
OF TOTAL 64.2% 59.4% 62.7% 61.7%
SELLING DAYS 25 25 230 230
DSR = DAILY
SELLING RATE