Autometrics Pulse Shows Toyota Continues Decline In Demand For All Models

-- Four weeks after Toyota's suspension of sales, models impacted by the recall down an average of 26%. -- Demand for models not impacted by recall, down 16%.

NEW YORK, Feb. 24 -- Autometrics Pulse(TM), a strong predictor of sales based on over 100 data sources, reveals that four weeks after the Toyota sales suspension, market demand for its models was down an average of 23% . This is compared to the 2010 average prior to the suspension. This is a slight improvement compared to a 28% decline in demand as of Jan. 31, five days after the suspension announcement.

The only brands to suffer a worse drop in demand in this period have been recently saved AUTO maker Saab, and the discontinued GM brands Pontiac and Saturn. Toyota's sister brands, Lexus suffered a 12% decline, while Scion actually increased demand by 2%.

The five Toyota models that have not been involved in any recent recall (pedal, floor mats or the Prius ABS brake issue) are also experiencing a negative halo effect, with demand down 16% compared to the 2010 average prior to the pedal suspension. FJ Cruiser is down 28%, Yaris down 20%, Land Cruiser down 16%, while 4 Runner and Sienna are each down 8%.

For the eight models affected by the pedal suspension, market demand was down by an average of 26%. The most affected model is the Matrix, which has suffered a significant 40% decline in demand compared to the 2010 average prior to the recall. Other vehicles affected by the suspension were RAV4, down 34%, Corolla down 26%, Highlander and Sequoia each down 25%, Tundra down 22%, Camry down 19% and Avalon down 17%.

Equally, market demand for the three models that were included in the floor mat recall but not in the pedal recall are also down. Compared to the 2010 average prior to Jan. 26, market demand for Venza is down 27%, Prius down 23% while Tacoma is down 8%.

     TOYOTA TOTAL RECALL MARKET IMPACT ANALYSIS
         FOUR WEEKS SINCE SALES SUSPENSION
     (AVERAGE SEVEN DAY DEMAND TO FEB 22 2010)
     -----------------------------------------
                      Change in Demand compared to
                     the 2010 average prior to the
  Toyota Model               sales suspension
  ------------       -----------------------------
  Matrix                           -40%

  RAV4                             -34%

  FJ Cruiser                       -28%

  Venza                            -27%

  Corolla                          -26%

  Sequoia                          -25%

  Highlander                       -25%

  Prius                            -23%

  Tundra                           -22%

  Yaris                            -20%

  Camry                            -19%

  Avalon                           -17%

  Land Cruiser                     -16%

  4Runner                           -8%

  Tacoma                            -8%

  Sienna                            -8%

  How Autometrics' Pulse(TM) is Calculated

-- Pulse(TM) is driven by more than 100 data sources including major automotive sites, the car buying sections of major portals, automotive enthusiast sites etc.

-- Pulse(TM) is updated nightly, with yesterday's results released "real time" the very next day.

-- Pulse(TM) is the largest demand data set available anywhere with over 300,000 data points tracked daily.

-- Pulse(TM) captures demand for all makes and models down to the zip code level.

-- Pulse(TM) has been proven by automotive manufacturers and academics to be highly predictive of new vehicles sales even at the local level.

About Autometrics

Autometrics was founded in the United Kingdom in 2000, is privately owned with offices in London, New York, Los Angeles and Detroit. It is focused on helping clients make "better decisions faster" through actionable data and analytics technology with a strong focus on the automotive industry. Autometrics pioneered the concept of hosted business intelligence software in 2003 (according to Forrester) and manages client data for web analytics, ad spend, paid search, sales leads, sales transactions, customer records, order banks, surveys, stock levels, third party competitive analysis, call centers, etc.

The Autometrics Platform offers an integrated hosted Business Intelligence application for advanced data quality profiling, business intelligence, query and analytics, dashboards and predictive modeling. Autometrics has built up a strong track record and reputation in high client data quality standards and meeting delivery schedules.