Toyota's Global Output, Sales Down

TOKYO (AP) -- Toyota's global sales fell 26 percent in the first half of this year as the recession hit auto demand, but troubles at U.S. rival General Motors saw the Japanese automaker retain its world No. 1 spot.

Toyota Motor Corp. said Tuesday it sold 3.56 million vehicles in January through June, beating General Motors Co. by about 10,000 units. GM sold 3.55 million vehicles worldwide in the same period, as growth in the Asia-Pacific region offset a slump in North American sales that led to GM filing for bankruptcy protection last month.

Global production at Toyota fell 40.6 percent to 2.97 million during the six months, largely because of production cuts earlier this year, company spokesman Yuta Kaga said. Toyota's domestic production totaled 1.48 million, down 43.7 percent from a year earlier.

In June, global production at Toyota totaled 636,307 units, down 23.7 percent from a year earlier.

"Although monthly sales and production remained weaker than last year, there are signs of recovery," Kaga said. Booming sales of Prius hybrid cars and other fuel-efficient models have also helped, he said.

Production at Toyota's Japanese rivals also plunged.

Honda Motor Co. said its global production plunged 33.7 percent to 1.32 million in the January-to-June period, including 257,852 units in June. Production at Japan's No. 2 automaker declined 86 percent in Europe and 40 percent in the U.S. during the six-month period.

Nissan Motor Co. saw its global production fall 40 percent to 1.10 million units in January-to-June period. The nation's No. 3 car maker said it global production for June dropped 22.2 percent to 240,827 units.

Sales at Nissan fell 23.2 percent to 1.54 million units worldwide in the first six months, the company said.

Mazda Motor Corp. reported a 45.9 percent decline in its global production in the six-month period to 382,948. Its June global production was down 18.7 percent to 92,377.

At Mitsubishi Motors Corp., global production was down 55.9 percent to 306,264 units, including 57,792 in June, down 47.8 percent from a year before.

Japan has been battling a global slump for months. Recent economic data, however, showed signs that Japanese manufacturers may be gradually recovering.

Japan's exports in June fell by the smallest margin in six months, adding to evidence that global demand is recovering. Shipments from Japan fell 35.7 percent from a year earlier, an improvement from a 40.9 percent decline in May, the Finance Ministry said. Exports have fallen every month since October.

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Asian car sales slump in the USA 7/28/2009 11:59:00 AM Are we supposed to feel sorry for Japanese Auto workers or their exports that serve to put Americans in the unemployment line? No. It's encouraging to hear that Japanese car exports are DOWN even worse than GM, as Americans begin to consider EQUAL products from American car mfrs. Perhaps independent surveys like JD Powers showing true product parity are finally having an effect on consumer purchasing habits. I could never understand the mindless "buy foreign" mentality that compells ignorant folks to snub top tier domestic mfrs to instead choose equal or lesser quality imports that cost more. I notice GM is really making inroads in China where Japanese cars are looked down upon. Thank goodness the world tide has turned a bit. Look out BMW, the quality of your overpriced cars is now BELOW Ford's. As a BMW and Ford owner, my next car purchase will NOT be a BMW. It's the most troublesome car I ever owned.
America makes the best cars 7/28/2009 12:21:00 PM I own two late model american cars. They offer affordable dependable transportation. i have had zero issues. I am amazed that so many americans choose to buy foreign crap. I ask them why and they provide some stuid, lame explanation. To me foreign cars looks cheap and feels cheap. they are obvious just creating copies of the minivan, and other domestic designs. if domestic technology is better and offered at same price (or many times LESS, why would any america buy a foreign product? (fool) To me it makes absolutely no sense. Be patriotic, do the right thing and choose an america built car. there are no good excuses left.
"Asian car slumps" is smoking something 7/28/2009 12:51:00 PM You rant about non-American cars and then talk about your BMW? That's hypocritical. JD Power initial quality numbers are all but irrelevant. They are "pleaser" numbers. 15 years ago I would never buy a Japanese car. Now, I won't even go on any GM or Chrysler lot. I at least give Ford a look (but I haven't bought one since 1994). Toyota and Honda still have durability which I don't see any U.S. car having. And about American jobs, both my Honda and Toyota are both at least 75% north american content (yes, this includes Canada). This is very similar to the U.S. brands.
Previous comment 7/28/2009 1:36:00 PM Actually, Toyota and Honda build more cars in the US than GM does (making many in Canada and Mexico). I have a 2007 Honda Civic built in Libertyville, Ohio by American workers (non-union) that has been perfectly reliable. I also have a 2007 BMW 328xi that has also been completely trouble free and the best car I have owned over 40 years. The last time I owned a good car from the former big 3, it was a 1970 Olds Cutlass SX. Since then GM's badge engineering has produced nothing compelling enough to consider and led them to kill Olds and Pontiac. As a reliability engineer, the JD Powers initial quality ratings tell little about long term reliability. The Consumer's Reports numbers and ratings provide a better indication of troublesome brands.
American car owners can comment 7/28/2009 2:15:00 PM Re: "I won't even go on any GM or Chrysler lot. I at least give Ford a look (but I haven't bought one since 1994). Toyota and Honda still have durability which I don't see any U.S. car having.." Of COURSE, because you haven't owned a US car newer than 1994! I just sold a working Chevy Malibu with 140,000 miles on it, and happily bought another Chevy. I know its reliability, it was stellar. Can people who have no experience with American cars in the last few years please refrain from bashing those cars? It makes no sense.
Hope Japan Goes Down in Flames 7/28/2009 2:39:00 PM re: "both my Honda and Toyota are both at least 75% north american content " (note North America not lower case) Yeah but are they engineered or designed in America? Was the manufacturing machines used to build (i.e. 'assemble') them designed and built/bought in America. The profits go overseas on your toyota and honda so keep supporting another country's tax base. Thanks!!
Re: Hope Japan goes down in flames 7/28/2009 3:13:00 PM My thinking was the same as yours when I was forced to read the "Toyota Way". There beliefs are to make cars in a specific region, with material and equipment coming from that region- why?? If you purchase material and equipment, you keep people employed in that region, who in turn can purchase your product. "American" Cars are assembled in America with parts coming from all over the continent. What percentage of "American" car parts come from within 100 miles of the factory. I was at a conference and heard that 70% of the Toyota parts come from suppliers within 75 miles.
american vehicle durability 7/28/2009 3:28:00 PM The number one and number two vehicle preferred by american buyers of new vehicles remains pick up trucks, which must be very durable or they would not be purchased. Foreign designs of these vehicles have not shown the required durability to make any major impact on the sales of the domestic units. That speaks to the durability of american vehicles. As to passenger cars, the design of forign passenger cars is done overseas and is done to design vehicles for their market. Any sales in our market are bonus sales and cost no large amount of engineering. The US market is unique in the world and most cars designed for the US market do not translate well to sales in Foreign markets. ( our North American market demands larger cars for much longer distance driving than any place other than Australia) Therefor the design costs for cars here are exclusively in the cost of US cars, wearas the design cost of Japanese cars ( at least the large ones exported and or built here) spread the cost over all the cars. Since a very large part of the cost of a car is the design,engineering,prototyping and testing of the vehicle this is a major factor in cost. For foreign vehicles that cost is "sunk " at home and the volume in the USA (whether built here or imported is just cream. Those costs can easily be 1/3 of the car cost.
America makes the best cars 7/28/2009 4:17:00 PM I agree with the email "America makes the best car". That is why all of these car companies including BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai, Toyota, Nissan, and Subaru to name a few have manufacturing facilities in USA. These jobs support American families paying taxes to the US Government entities.
american vehicle durability? 7/28/2009 4:35:00 PM Pickup trucks are aimed at a very different market than cars - that market is highly biased to Ford, Chevy and Dodge. Foreign makes are seldom even considered by this group of buyers. That is the primary reason for success in this segment. I have no need or interest in a wasteful pickup or SUV, but many think they do even though most of the time they carry only one or two people and no cargo. You are totally wrong about cars being designed for local markets and exported. Many platforms are global designs for all markets and features are added to meet local requirements but the platform is certified for all markets. This is being done by GM and Ford as well as Toyota and Honda. They all have engineering centers at several locations around the world that share platforms.
Technology development or is it a copy? 7/29/2009 10:55:00 AM I currently own 9 cars. In the past I have had owned Bmw's, Mercedes, Toyota and Honda's. I am a car geek. My second Master's degree is in Technology Management (MSTM). That is, how does one bring technology, even in the auto manufacturing area, to market. My classes took me to Japan, Korea and Singapore, plus to Germany France and Spain. I learned a great deal about the Asian mentality of how they copy technology and do not spend the Billions of dollars that the USA and European manufacturers invest in Product Development. I was angry to see that the KAIST (Korrean agency of Science and Technology) sent men out over the world copying technology and then replicating that back in Seoul. What I was happy to see was that Japan was mad at Korea for copying all their "Copying" techniques. From getting low cost, or no tax incentives from rural USA markets to actually stealing designs of each other's cars. BUt of course the Asians do not call it stealing....they call it Borrowing. You know my girlfriend buys Prada purses. The original cost around $1,500. 00 (USA) each. A copy of the Prada, made in an Asian factory, can be purchased for $35-120, depending on your negotiating skills. I asked her if she would pay $1,500, if she knew it was a copy. She was angry and said an emphatic no way! So too, goes to Americans buying Asian autos.....why would you pay full price for a 'knock off' ? Do you realize that a Lexus uses 80% of the parts of the cheaper $18,000 car? Why would anyone pay full price for a knock off? That is amazing that people do not know they are buying 'knockoff' cars.....that have been 'copied' from leading designers in the qauto industry. amazing information. It also amazes me that all the Asian families send their sons and daughters, that can afford it, to USA Universities.....to get away from their wrote memory courses.....copying and memorizing courses in Asia. The parents believe the USA schools allow the kids to "Think". Guess what kind of cars do the executives in Asia drive? Yep, they are not Asian copies.....but they drive German and American cars. Sometimes one needs to think about the real truth. What will you be willing to pay for a copy??
Replies 7/29/2009 10:55:00 AM 1. Foreign pick up trucks have been subject to import tariffs to 'protect' American jobs. I own a Tundra, and have owned two previous Toyota pick ups, since 1985. NO PROBLEMS!!! My friends with Fords and Dodges have major headaches with their vehicles. 2. American car manufacturers have earned their poor reliability record. I will continue to buy Toyota (and Scion and Lexus) until Detroit can PROVE reliability!!! 3. GM's sales in China are driven by the fact of the Japanese brutal rape of China and it's people during WWII, and import restrictions designed to protect Chinese workers, NOT the quality of GM vehicles.
Import Tarrifs ?? 7/29/2009 1:01:00 PM since when have there been import tarrifs on vehicles in the last 10 years? isn't the tundra built in the U.S. and therefore not subject to tarrifs? You people obviously don't work in the car industry. please tell me were to get a job like yours as an engineer? so I can make bogus statements not based on facts! don't forget the toyato trucks that have had rust issues so much to the point that they'd rust off the frames. YEAH great product

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