Prius sales down 14.5% from last February; Camry Hybrid sales up

[Danny]

Toyota Reports February Sales

03/03/2008
March 3, 2008 - Torrance, CA - Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., today reported February sales of 182,169 vehicles, a decrease of 6.6 percent from last February.

"Spurred in part by rising fuel prices, Toyota’s fuel-efficient models and hybrids, the mainstay of our lineup, continue to show strength," said TMS President Jim Lentz.

The Toyota Division posted February sales of 160,892, a decrease of 6.3 percent from last February. The Lexus Division reported February sales of 21,277 units, a decrease of 9.3 percent from the year-ago month.


TMS Hybrids


TMS posted February sales of 18,289 hybrid vehicles, a decrease of seven percent from last February. Toyota Division posted sales of 16,952 hybrids while Lexus Division posted sales of 1,337 hybrids.
There were 25 selling days this month, as compared to 24 selling days last February.

Toyota Division
Toyota Division passenger cars recorded February sales of 89,723 units, down 7.3 percent from last February. Passenger-car sales were led by Camry, which posted best-ever February sales of 34,914, an increase of 4.3 percent over the same period last year. Camry Hybrid reported sales of 4,121 units in February, up 19 percent over February 2007. The Prius hybrid gas-electric mid-size sedan posted February sales of 10,895, a decrease of 14.5 percent from last February. Yaris reported best-ever February sales of 9,758 units, up 64.3 percent over the year-ago month.

Toyota Division light truck sales were down 4.9 percent, with February sales of 71,169 units. Light truck sales were led by the Tundra full-size pickup with best-ever February sales of 14,400, an increase of 43 percent over last February. Highlander and Highlander Hybrid posted combined sales of 10,513 in February, up 7.7 percent over the year-ago month. The Highlander Hybrid gas-electric mid-size SUV reported sales of 1,938 units for the month. Sequoia posted sales of 2,617 units for the month, up 8.7 percent over the same period last year.

Scion posted February sales of 8,883 units. The xB urban utility vehicle led the way with February sales of 3,824 units, an increase of 28 percent over last February. The tC sports coupe, entering its fourth model year, posted February sales of 3,261 units.

Lexus Division


Lexus passenger cars reported February sales of 12,203 units, a decrease of 13.2 percent from February 2007. Passenger-car sales were led by the ES 350 luxury sedan with February sales of 4,795 units. The IS 250/350 luxury sport sedan reported sales of 3,906 units, including 208 units sold of the all-new IS F luxury performance sedan. The LS 460/460 L and new LS 600h L luxury sedans reported combined sales of 1,891 units. The LS 600h L hybrid luxury sedan posted sales of 112 units for the month. The GS 350 luxury sport sedan had sales of 1,201 units, while the GS 460/450h posted combined sales of 221 units, an increase of 21.2 percent.

Lexus Division light trucks reported February sales totaling 9,074 units, a decrease of 3.5 percent from the year-ago month. The all-new LX 570 enjoyed sales of 569 units, an increase of 103.1 percent. The RX 350 and RX 400h posted combined February sales of 6,956 units. The RX 400h hybrid luxury utility vehicle reported sales of 1,148 units for the month.

Calendar to date sales of the Prius are still up 6.3% from last year, though.

[nerfer]

Hmm, looks like somebody didn't read Danny's guide for posting news:

2. Try to include the Story Title, then only post a summary of the story, or the first paragraph of the story, then include a link to the news story (for long hyperlinks please use text links).

Enjoy the new News Section of PriusChat, and please let me know if you have any suggestions.

Danny

No link, full story instead of summary. Should we notify a moderator?

[Rockville1]

We'll see how those sales numbers turn around come spring/summer and increased gas prices!

It is a shame that gas prices figure so prominently in hybrid sales.

[joe1347]

[quote=Rockville1;571202]We'll see how those sales numbers turn around come spring/summer and increased gas prices!

It is a shame that gas prices figure so prominently in hybrid sales.[/quote]


The trend seems to be more towards cheaper cars selling and more expensive cars - such as the Prius - selling fewer cars.

The Prius hybrid gas-electric mid-size sedan posted February sales of 10,895, a decrease of 14.5 percent from last February. Yaris reported best-ever February sales of 9,758 units, up 64.3 percent over the year-ago month.

Consumers purchasing much less expensive cars is likely yet another sign that the economy is slowing down.

[Danny]

Originally Posted by nerfer

Hmm, looks like somebody didn't read Danny's guide for posting news:


No link, full story instead of summary. Should we notify a moderator?

It's a press release I jumbled some paragraphs around and made it an article

[Boo]

I bought mine in February 2007.

I've noticed that those PriusChatters buying in February 2008 seemed to be paying a lot less (the typical price I see is around $2000 below MSRP).

The 14.5% drop in sales would explain this price decrease. Also, relatedly, the complete phasing out of the hybrid tax credit for Toyotas on 9/30/07.

[Rockville1]

Originally Posted by joe1347

The trend seems to be more towards cheaper cars selling and more expensive cars - such as the Prius - selling fewer cars.

Consumers purchasing much less expensive cars is likely yet another sign that the economy is slowing down.

Yes, but that trend was for February when gas prices were low. My point was that come the spring and summer, when gas prices rise significantly, hybrid sales will go up proportionally.

[Rockville1]

Originally Posted by Boo

I bought mine in February 2007.

I've noticed that those PriusChatters buying in February 2008 seemed to be paying a lot less (the typical price I see is around $2000 below MSRP).

The 14.5% drop in sales would explain this price decrease. Also, relatedly, the complete phasing out of the hybrid tax credit for Toyotas on 9/30/07.

I bought my Prius in February 2008 and was one of those that was able to take advantage of the low sales volume (Package 6 for $2,100 under MSRP).

January and February are typically low sales months for dealers anyway. Couple that with low gas prices, which drives hybrid sales even lower, and you can get a pretty good deal on the Prius. But as I posted above, I am sure sales volume and purchases prices will go up when the gas prices rise this summer.

[BigJay]

Originally Posted by Rockville1

We'll see how those sales numbers turn around come spring/summer and increased gas prices!

It is a shame that gas prices figure so prominently in hybrid sales.

I bought my used Prius and got a really good deal on it two months ago when gas prices here were $2.67 or so per gallon. The dealer actually had a few Prius on the lot, apparently nobody wanted them.

Now gas is over $3.08 or so, and there's another waiting list for Prius. They have to be custom ordered.

Now if gas would just tip over the $4.00 mark...

[joe1347]

Originally Posted by Rockville1

Yes, but that trend was for February when gas prices were low. My point was that come the spring and summer, when gas prices rise significantly, hybrid sales will go up proportionally.

Hybrid sales will go up - if we still have jobs come summer. Otherwise, a new Yaris may start looking like an unaffordable luxury car to many Americans.