DETROIT (AP) — Toyota says its U.S. sales fell 33 percent in May because of earthquake-related vehicle shortages.
Toyota said sales of all Toyota and Lexus cars but one — the new Scion tC — declined from last May. Among SUVs and trucks, only the Tacoma pickup saw sales increase over last May. Sales of the Prius hybrid, which is made in Japan, were down 51 percent, while sales of the Camry sedan fell 36 percent.
Toyota Motor Corp. said the decreases were expected because the company had to slow down production after the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in Japan. But the company said Japanese production should be back to 90-percent of capacity this month, and North American production is also recovering.
