Toyota's U.S. sales jumped 11.7 percent last month, boosted by record hybrid sales and strong overall car sales, while Ford's sales dropped 9 percent, DaimlerChrysler sank 4.1 percent and General Motors slid 4 percent.
The numbers Tuesday come as the domestic automakers have seen Asian rivals led by Toyota Motor Corp. capture a growing share of the U.S. market. But despite its decline, Ford still held off Toyota for the No. 2 U.S. sales spot for the month.
In all, Toyota sold 242,675 light vehicles in the U.S., including 140,009 cars, up 19.4 percent from the same month a year ago, and 102,666 trucks, a 2.7 percent increase. So far this year, Toyota has sold 61,635 hybrids in the U.S., up 68 percent from the first three months of last year. That includes 28,453 hybrids last month.
I've been at a loss to explain people who are bullish on Detroit. Until we know that gas prices will drop to say $2.00/gallon for a long time SUVs and truck sales will continue to decline. Considering oil's supply and demand are very tight -- and will only get tighter -- that's not going to happen.
In addition, Toyota has now aligned itself with the hybrid. That means Detroit will have to play catch-up. Again
