TMS Records Sixth-Consecutive Month Of 100,000-Plus Sales
2 September 1998
TMS Records Sixth-Consecutive Month Of 100,000-Plus Sales; Toyota And Lexus Divisions Report Best-Ever August TORRANCE, Calif., Sept. 1 -- Toyota Motor Sales (TMS),
U.S.A., Inc., reported today best-ever August sales of 130,814 vehicles, up
10.9 percent over last year. Calendar-year-to-date (CYTD) sales total
888,640, an increase of 3.8 percent compared to the same period last year.
The Toyota Division recorded sales of 113,865, up 6.5 percent from last
August, marking the first time in the company's history that Toyota Division
sales topped 100,000 vehicles four months-in-a-row. Total August sales also
gave TMS a record-breaking six-consecutive months of 100,000-plus sales and
the company's second best-ever sales month.
Lexus Division CYTD sales totaled 100,000 units which surpasses the total
number of vehicles sold in all of calendar year 1997. The Lexus Division also
set an all-time sales record of 16,949 vehicles, an increase of 52.5 percent
over August 1997, while combined Toyota and Lexus light truck sales enjoyed a
best-ever August with sales of 48,449, up 19.8 percent.
With August sales of 40,553, Camry jumped ahead of Honda Accord for the
year, and also was the Toyota car sales leader for the month. Corolla was up
9.7 percent to 23,580, and Avalon increased 26.3 percent to 7,392.
Toyota Division light truck sales highlights include Sienna which had the
best-ever August for a Toyota van with sales of 7,421. Tacoma 2WD pickup
sales rose 13.4 percent to 8,233, while total compact pickup truck sales for
August increased 7.4 percent to 15,582 compared to the same period last year.
The all-new Toyota Land Cruiser also posted increased sales of 1,376, up 35.3
percent.
The Lexus Division's record-setting month was led by the new RX 300 sport
utility vehicle, which sold 5,455 units. The LX 470 increased August sales by
57.4 percent, to 1,300 units, and sales of the luxury division's flagship
sedan, the LS 400, rose 3.7 percent to 2,080.
Sales of North American-built vehicles made up 61.5 percent of total
August sales, up from 57.5 percent the previous year.
TOYOTA/LEXUS SALES
AUGUST, 1998
CURRENT MONTH CALENDAR YEAR TO DATE
DSR% DSR%
1998 1997 CHG 1998 1997 CHG
TOTAL VEHICLE
SALES 130,814 117,995 10.9 888,640 856,172 3.8
Memo: Total
Toyota Div. 113,865 106,878 6.5 788,640 791,496 -0.4
Memo: Total
Lexus Div. 16,949 11,117 52.5 100,000 64,676 54.6
TOYOTA DIV.
IMPORT CAR 14,762 13,937 5.9 98,752 92,164 7.1
LEXUS IMPORT CAR 10,194 10,291 -0.9 70,425 59,212 18.9
TOYOTA DIV NA
BUILT CARS 57,409 53,334 7.6 400,260 433,788 -7.7
TOTAL TOYOTA CARS 82,365 77,562 6.2 569,437 585,164 -2.7
SPORT UTILITY
VEHICLES 24,526 22,659 8.2 157,269 148,139 6.2
Memo: Lexus
Sport Utility 6,755 826 717.8 29,575 5,464 441.3
SMALL VANS 7,424 266 2691.0 52,393 3,499 1397.4
PICKUPS 16,499 17,508 -5.8 109,541 119,370 -8.2
*NORTH AMERICAN
BUILT VEHICLES
COROLLA 23,579 21,447 9.9 171,649 158,908 8.0
CAMRY 26,438 26,034 1.6 176,577 225,070 -21.5
AVALON 7,392 5,853 26.3 52,034 49,810 4.5
SIENNA 7,421 0 NA 52,309 0 NA
PICKUP 15,582 14,513 7.4 103,305 96,452 7.1
TOTAL 80,412 67,847 18.5 555,874 530,240 4.8
N.A. VEHICLES %
OF TOTAL 61.5% 57.5% -- 62.6% 61.9% --
SELLING DAYS 26 26 -- 205 205 --
DSR = DAILY SELLING RATE
