Toyota, Lexus sales slump in 2011 as Japan disaster recovery lingers

Toyota Motor Sales, which included Toyota, Lexus and Scion, reported annual sales of 1,644,661 vehicles in the United States in 2011, down 7.0 percent from t2010 as inventory continued to recover from shortages due to the earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

Toyota Division recorded year-end sales of 1,446,109 vehicles, a decrease of 6.1 percent from 2010. Lexus reported sales of 198,552 units in 2011, down 13.7 percent from the previous 2010. Scion was the surprising segment. reported sales of 49,271 units for the year, up 7.5 percent over 2010.

"We are encouraged by the strong close of 2011 as December was our best volume month of the year. We successfully launched several new vehicles, including the all-new Camry, which retained its number one position for the tenth straight year, along with the Prius v, which attracted new customers to the Toyota family," said Jim Lentz, president and chief operating officer, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

"We begin 2012 with high expectations fueled by a strengthening economy, increasing consumer confidence and the biggest surge of new and updated products in our history. We thank our customers, dealers and business partners for their continued support and loyalty."

Toyota Division

Camry and Camry Hybrid led passenger car sales for the year posting combined sales of 308,510 units. Corolla had annual sales of 240,259 units, while the Prius family sold 136,463 units.

Toyota Division light trucks reported year-end sales of 649,976 units, a decrease of 5.5 percent. For the year, light truck sales were led by RAV4 with sales of 132,237 units. Annually, Tacoma recorded sales of 110,705 units for 2011, while the Sienna had sales of 111,429 units, up 12.9 percent over 2010.

Scion Division

Scion reported sales of 49,271 units in 2011, up 7.5 percent over 2010. The Scion tC annual sales of 22,433 units, an increase of 47.5 percent, while the xB urban utility and xD had respective annual sales annual sales of 17,017 units and 9,573 units.

Lexus Division

Lexus Division passenger cars had year-end sales of 101,181 units, down 10.8 percent from 2010. The ES entry luxury sedan led Lexus passenger car sales annual sales with 40,873 units, while the IS entry luxury sport sedan recorded sales of 29,669 units. The CT entry luxury hybrid sedan had annual sales of 14,381 units.

Lexus Division light trucks reported annual sales of 97,371 units, down 16.5 percent. The RX luxury utility vehicle led annual Lexus light truck sales with 82,595 units for 2011.