Friend of mine works at an Acura dealer and provided me with these numbers. Interesting that they break the 3-series sedan and coupe numbers apart (same with the G35 although for some reason that seems normal). Numbers are from American Honda Corp. His comments and annotations are included below.

6274- Acura TL
5819- Mercedes C class.....this was surprisingly high to me
5546- Lexus ES330
5007- 3 series sedan and wagon
2662- 3 series coupe and convertible
4838- Cadillac CTS
3439- Infiniti G35
2145- G35 coupe (not bad eh?)
963- Audi A6-can you believe that?
107- GS430 :-)
35- Maybach.....little trivia for you

 

Only 107 GS430's? That seems really low especially considering that 35 Maybachs
were sold.

 

Anybody think the TL sales are a little inflated due to it being an Acura dealer?

-Anthony

 

March 2, 2004 - Torrance, CA - Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., today reported best-ever February sales of 146,783 vehicles, an increase of 17.7 percent over February 2003. Calendar-year-to-date (CYTD) sales total 290,512, an increase of 16.7 percent compared to the same period last year.

"Optimistic reports on consumer spending and the economy have definitely helped the industry achieve a solid sales month," said Jim Press, TMS executive vice president and COO. "However, rising fuel prices may begin to impact the market if they continue their climb."

The Toyota Division recorded best-ever February sales of 126,238, an increase of 15.4 percent. The Lexus Division also reported best-ever February sales of 20,545 units, up 34.1 percent.

Toyota Division passenger cars recorded sales of 65,994 units, an increase of 7.5 percent. Camry posted sales of 30,350, up 7.1 percent over the same period last year, while Corolla sold 23,428 units, up 0.9 percent. The popular Prius gas-electric hybrid mid-size sedan recorded best-ever February sales of 3,215 units, an increase of 63.4 percent. Sales of the MR2 Spyder sports car increased 12.2 percent over last February.

Toyota Division light trucks reported best-ever February sales of 60,244, an increase of 25.6 percent. Leading the way was the Sienna van with its best-ever sales month of 13,581 units, up 155.8 percent over the same period last year. The Highlander mid-size sport-utility vehicle (SUV) had a best-ever February with 8,815 units, an increase of 6.2 percent. The 4Runner mid-size SUV posted sales of 8,500 units, up 23.0 percent, while sales of the RAV4 SUV totaled 5,249, up 2.3 percent. The Sequoia full-size SUV enjoyed sales of 4,606 units, an increase of 7.6 percent. Sales of the Land Cruiser full-size SUV were up 9.7 percent.

Pickup trucks also contributed to the best-ever February for Toyota Division light trucks. The Tacoma compact pickup truck recorded sales of 11,612, an increase of 3.0 percent, while the Tundra full-size pickup, including the new Double Cab, had strong sales of 7,441 units, an increase of 17.0 percent.

Scion, the new car marque from TMS, reported best-ever monthly sales of 4,544 units as February marked the beginning of the second wave of its national roll-out in 24 states. The popular xB subcompact led Scion sales with 3,135 units. The xA subcompact had sales of 1,409 units. CYTD sales for Scion total 5,962.

Lexus Division light trucks had a best-ever February with 10,670 units, up 45.2 percent. The RX 330 luxury SUV led the way with 7,564 units sold, up 57.4 percent. The GX 470 mid-size luxury SUV posted sales of 2,437 units, an increase of 22.9 percent, while the LX 470 full-size luxury SUV sales rose 19.9 percent over the same period last year.

Lexus passenger cars posted strong February sales of 9,875, an increase of 23.9 percent. The ES 330 luxury sedan had best-ever February sales of 5,546, up 37.9 percent. The LS 430 flagship luxury sedan reported sales of 2,357 units, an increase of 62.4 percent over last February.

Sales of North American-built vehicles accounted for 63.9 percent of total February sales.

http://www.toyota.com/about/news/pro...2-1-sales.html
----

Good month for Toyota and most automobile companines in general.

 

http://pressroom.toyota.com/photo_li...l?id=20040302c

 

One reason Toyota sales are going through the roof is simply the wide range of models they sell. In the North American market, Toyota is equalled only by Chevy in the number of lines of different vehicles it sells....even more if you include the Lexus and Scion models. Look at SUVs alone.....Toyota has five, Lexus has three, and Scion has one. Also, to date, only Toyota and Honda have had gas-electric hybrids in the U.S. market, and look at the popularity of the new Prius.

 

One thing that separates Maybach figures from the rest of this list (besides the $300, 000 price)....Maybachs are not bought right off the lot. Each one is custom-ordered (with $50,000 down) and dealt with by a special Mercedes-Maybach Rep sent right from the factory....whom you make an appointment to see. That is the way Mercedes explains it.

 

Personally for $34K with all the features it has, I expect the TL to lead the segment. Interestingly enough, I'm pretty sure their sales started out very slow. I know that they did not build too many NAV equiped cars and that hurt them.

However, I did not post this to promote the TL - I just found the numbers interesting (along with my friend's comments).

 

It makes sense that the TL has a slight lead because it's its first year out in the new design. The new ES has been out since the 2002 model year.

 

Lexus has two cars in the entry level segment. I personally like the TL, if it had rwd I think it would easily be the best in class. I didnt know C-class #s were so high, I rarely see them around these parts (or they are falling to pieces).

The 3-series is king. It will be interesting to see the next IS go up against it.

 

King?...........maybe so for now, but the 3-series probably won't even be the palace janitor when Chris Bangle gets done with it.