October 2013 Sales Thread
11-03-13, 03:50 AM
#48
Guest
Posts: n/a
http://pressroom.toyota.com/releases...ence+notes.htm
November 01, 2013
October 2013 Sales Conference Notes
October 2013 Sales Conference Call
Friday, Nov. 1, 2013
October 2013 Sales Conference Call (audio clip)
Toyota Motor Sales Vice President of Corporate Communications Mike Michels:
Hello everyone and thank you for joining us to review Toyota’s October sales results.
Speaking today will be:
Bill Fay, Toyota Division Group Vice President and General Manager;
And Jeff Bracken, Lexus Group Vice President and General Manager.
Following the call, our communications team will be available to field any additional questions you may have.
Now I’d like to turn it over to Bill for a review of our corporate and Toyota Division results in October.
Toyota Division Group Vice President and General Manager Bill Fay:
Thank you Mike… and thanks everyone for joining us today.
October
Indication of strength of the automotive market and resiliency of American consumers
Industry reported solid increase in sales despite some headwinds from the government shutdown
Weren’t sure what to expect
While some impact
Mainly in the Washington D.C. area,
Sales resumed normal pace by the end of month
For example,
Central Atlantic Region,
including the D.C. area,
Recorded the biggest gain of any region last weekend
One of our better performing areas for the month
So for the month,
Industry sales of 1.2 million
Up 10.6% from last October on a volume basis
October SAAR 15.2 million
12 straight months SAAR has topped 15 million
YTD industry SAAR 15.5
At Toyota, Scion and Lexus
168,976
Up 8.8% from last year
Our retail story is even stronger
Up 11.6% for the month
As planned
We reduced our fleet sales 18%
8.1% of mix
On track for about 10% for the year
For the Toyota Division
Sales of 146,257
Up 8%
New models continue to perform well
Corolla, Avalon, RAV 4 and Tundra
double-digit gains
Headline news: All-new Corolla is off to a stronger start than expected
More than 23,600 sales
Up nearly 13% for the month
5 and a half % for the year
About 80% of the sales were new 2014 Corollas
Stronger than expected as we continue to build inventory and have a disciplined sell-down of 2013 models
Top-of-the line S model is leading the way
Helping Corolla bring in new buyers
Slightly more male
A little younger
Avalon continues its terrific pace
Sales more than tripled year-ago levels in October
5,150 units
Hybrid accounted for more than 25% of the total
Total Avalon has more than doubled for the year
Camry again volume leader
At more than 29,000
Nearly 350,000 for the year
Prius Family
Remains on pace to exceed year over year levels
With sales of more than 15,600 in October
Topped than 202,000 for the year
Toyota Division Hybrid Sales
Now at 260,000 for the year
Up more than 7%
On the truck side
Total Toyota Div light truck sales were up nearly 16%
Led by first full month of new Tundra sales
Up 22 and a half %
More than 9,900 units
Two high-end Tundra models did especially well
Platinum and new 1794 Edition
Making up 20% of all Tundra sales
Combined with Tacoma
With sales of more 12,000
Total pickup sales
Topped 20,000
Up nearly 10%
RAV4 Continues to be one the hottest vehicles
in one of the industry’s hottest segments
Sales up 61%
More than 17,600
Finally, Toyota Certified Used Vehicles
Recorded its best October ever
More than 31,000 vehicles
That’s a further indication of strength of the overall market
Looking ahead
We see the retail market remaining stronger for autos than other sectors, due to excellent credit availability, continued pent-up demand and the relative affordability of cars compared to other large household purchase decisions.
As a result, we expect the momentum that returned to the market during the final days of October to carry through the rest of the year.
Thank you again for joining us today.
Now I’d like to turn this over to Jeff for a look at Lexus.
Lexus Group Vice President and General Manager Jeff Bracken:
Thank you Bill.
New product also drove Lexus sales in October
Total sales of 22,719
Up 14.5%
Outperforming
Industry
Also experienced minimal impact – mainly in the D.C. area – from the government shutdown.
YTD
Sales moved past 213,000
Up 12%
On target for our goal of 270,000 this year
The new IS continues to lead the way
Sales of more than 3,570 in October
up nearly 70%
YTD up 10%
All growth coming since the new IS was introduced
It’s been more than four months since the IS went on sale and much of the early buyer data has turned into a trend.
Buyers more heavily male (56% vs. 46%)
Median age in mid-40s
About a third under 35
More than 40% are half buying the F-Sport version
(vs. 10% for previous model)
Inventory constrained
Perhaps most important, nearly half of the IS buyers are new to Lexus, coming mostly from BMW, Audi and Acura
Looking at the rest of the lineup LS continues to perform well
Sales up 26.5% for the month
And 50% for the year
ES
Remains volume leader on the car side
Sales 6,000
Pushed YTD total up 38%
October is a particularly good month for luxury SUVs
Buyers preparing for the winter months ahead
We also launched the redesigned GX
Featured full SUV lineup in advertising
First time in several years
As a result,
Lexus SUV sales up 21%
Led by 65% increase in GX sales
RX continues to be the best-selling luxury SUV
Up 15% in October
Led by 20% increase in hybrid sales
Total RX up 10% YTD
The LX570 also contributed
Up 32%
And finally,
Lexus Certified Pre-owned
Best October ever
More than 6,000 vehicles
As Bill mentioned, an indication of the overall strength of the market
Looking to November, we enter a seasonally strong time of the year for us and will close the month with our traditional year-end national sales program.
November and December are typically two of our better months here at Lexus as returning customers take advantage of year-end opportunities.
With the addition of the new IS, RX and GX models, the continued strength of the LS and ES, and good across the board availability and financing, we expect that to be true again this year.
Thank you very much for joining us today. Now I’d like to open up the call for questions.
October 2013 Sales Conference Notes
October 2013 Sales Conference Call
Friday, Nov. 1, 2013
October 2013 Sales Conference Call (audio clip)
Toyota Motor Sales Vice President of Corporate Communications Mike Michels:
Hello everyone and thank you for joining us to review Toyota’s October sales results.
Speaking today will be:
Bill Fay, Toyota Division Group Vice President and General Manager;
And Jeff Bracken, Lexus Group Vice President and General Manager.
Following the call, our communications team will be available to field any additional questions you may have.
Now I’d like to turn it over to Bill for a review of our corporate and Toyota Division results in October.
Toyota Division Group Vice President and General Manager Bill Fay:
Thank you Mike… and thanks everyone for joining us today.
October
Indication of strength of the automotive market and resiliency of American consumers
Industry reported solid increase in sales despite some headwinds from the government shutdown
Weren’t sure what to expect
While some impact
Mainly in the Washington D.C. area,
Sales resumed normal pace by the end of month
For example,
Central Atlantic Region,
including the D.C. area,
Recorded the biggest gain of any region last weekend
One of our better performing areas for the month
So for the month,
Industry sales of 1.2 million
Up 10.6% from last October on a volume basis
October SAAR 15.2 million
12 straight months SAAR has topped 15 million
YTD industry SAAR 15.5
At Toyota, Scion and Lexus
168,976
Up 8.8% from last year
Our retail story is even stronger
Up 11.6% for the month
As planned
We reduced our fleet sales 18%
8.1% of mix
On track for about 10% for the year
For the Toyota Division
Sales of 146,257
Up 8%
New models continue to perform well
Corolla, Avalon, RAV 4 and Tundra
double-digit gains
Headline news: All-new Corolla is off to a stronger start than expected
More than 23,600 sales
Up nearly 13% for the month
5 and a half % for the year
About 80% of the sales were new 2014 Corollas
Stronger than expected as we continue to build inventory and have a disciplined sell-down of 2013 models
Top-of-the line S model is leading the way
Helping Corolla bring in new buyers
Slightly more male
A little younger
Avalon continues its terrific pace
Sales more than tripled year-ago levels in October
5,150 units
Hybrid accounted for more than 25% of the total
Total Avalon has more than doubled for the year
Camry again volume leader
At more than 29,000
Nearly 350,000 for the year
Prius Family
Remains on pace to exceed year over year levels
With sales of more than 15,600 in October
Topped than 202,000 for the year
Toyota Division Hybrid Sales
Now at 260,000 for the year
Up more than 7%
On the truck side
Total Toyota Div light truck sales were up nearly 16%
Led by first full month of new Tundra sales
Up 22 and a half %
More than 9,900 units
Two high-end Tundra models did especially well
Platinum and new 1794 Edition
Making up 20% of all Tundra sales
Combined with Tacoma
With sales of more 12,000
Total pickup sales
Topped 20,000
Up nearly 10%
RAV4 Continues to be one the hottest vehicles
in one of the industry’s hottest segments
Sales up 61%
More than 17,600
Finally, Toyota Certified Used Vehicles
Recorded its best October ever
More than 31,000 vehicles
That’s a further indication of strength of the overall market
Looking ahead
We see the retail market remaining stronger for autos than other sectors, due to excellent credit availability, continued pent-up demand and the relative affordability of cars compared to other large household purchase decisions.
As a result, we expect the momentum that returned to the market during the final days of October to carry through the rest of the year.
Thank you again for joining us today.
Now I’d like to turn this over to Jeff for a look at Lexus.
Lexus Group Vice President and General Manager Jeff Bracken:
Thank you Bill.
New product also drove Lexus sales in October
Total sales of 22,719
Up 14.5%
Outperforming
Industry
Also experienced minimal impact – mainly in the D.C. area – from the government shutdown.
YTD
Sales moved past 213,000
Up 12%
On target for our goal of 270,000 this year
The new IS continues to lead the way
Sales of more than 3,570 in October
up nearly 70%
YTD up 10%
All growth coming since the new IS was introduced
It’s been more than four months since the IS went on sale and much of the early buyer data has turned into a trend.
Buyers more heavily male (56% vs. 46%)
Median age in mid-40s
About a third under 35
More than 40% are half buying the F-Sport version
(vs. 10% for previous model)
Inventory constrained
Perhaps most important, nearly half of the IS buyers are new to Lexus, coming mostly from BMW, Audi and Acura
Looking at the rest of the lineup LS continues to perform well
Sales up 26.5% for the month
And 50% for the year
ES
Remains volume leader on the car side
Sales 6,000
Pushed YTD total up 38%
October is a particularly good month for luxury SUVs
Buyers preparing for the winter months ahead
We also launched the redesigned GX
Featured full SUV lineup in advertising
First time in several years
As a result,
Lexus SUV sales up 21%
Led by 65% increase in GX sales
RX continues to be the best-selling luxury SUV
Up 15% in October
Led by 20% increase in hybrid sales
Total RX up 10% YTD
The LX570 also contributed
Up 32%
And finally,
Lexus Certified Pre-owned
Best October ever
More than 6,000 vehicles
As Bill mentioned, an indication of the overall strength of the market
Looking to November, we enter a seasonally strong time of the year for us and will close the month with our traditional year-end national sales program.
November and December are typically two of our better months here at Lexus as returning customers take advantage of year-end opportunities.
With the addition of the new IS, RX and GX models, the continued strength of the LS and ES, and good across the board availability and financing, we expect that to be true again this year.
Thank you very much for joining us today. Now I’d like to open up the call for questions.
11-03-13, 04:53 PM
#49
Lexus Fanatic
Note though in the transcript of the comments made by Jeff Bracken...no mention of the GS...not even a mention that sales are on target...no mention of inventory constraints with the 2014 arriving...nothing. 200 more units than the LS cannot be where Lexus wants it to be, even if that was an extraordinary month for the LS. The LX at 400 units gets a shout out, but not the GS?
I'll be very interested to see sales when the 2014 is brought into the mix.
I'll be very interested to see sales when the 2014 is brought into the mix.
Last edited by SW17LS; 11-03-13 at 04:57 PM.
11-03-13, 09:46 PM
#50
Lexus Test Driver
Note though in the transcript of the comments made by Jeff Bracken...no mention of the GS...not even a mention that sales are on target...no mention of inventory constraints with the 2014 arriving...nothing. 200 more units than the LS cannot be where Lexus wants it to be, even if that was an extraordinary month for the LS. The LX at 400 units gets a shout out, but not the GS?
I'll be very interested to see sales when the 2014 is brought into the mix.
I'll be very interested to see sales when the 2014 is brought into the mix.
11-03-13, 09:49 PM
#51
Lexus Fanatic
Its such a great car, and a great value, I wonder why they just can't get any traction with it...
11-04-13, 04:39 AM
#52
I also think just like the last generation GS,this generation model won't have legs either.
The 5 Series,E Class will continue to outsell the GS by a large margin and now the A6 is starting to sell more than the GS too.
It's a shame because it's a great car.
Last edited by Joeb427; 11-04-13 at 06:14 AM.
11-04-13, 10:43 AM
#53
Lexus Fanatic
I don't see the argument that its overpriced, its the cheapest car in the segment...
11-04-13, 11:44 AM
#54
Guest
Posts: n/a
This fact seems to be over many peoples heads but the E/5 will sell like crazy and the others will not here. The GS seems to be okay for now where it is and maybe the 13/14 model change had numbers down some. Surely they will go up as sales usually do for "December to Remember" of course GS haters will then spin whatever bull**** they can come up with to hate on the car.
The Lexus GS .Where third place in sales in a segment dominated by the 5/E with their 50 variants is a bad thing.
11-04-13, 11:53 AM
#55
Lexus Fanatic
If you think about it even the A6 has a lot of additional variants, the 2.0, 3.0, the TDI, the S6, and starting at a price point of $43k.
I think the solution for the GS may be a smaller engined car that starts around that place price wise.
I think the solution for the GS may be a smaller engined car that starts around that place price wise.
11-04-13, 12:34 PM
#56
Lexus Test Driver
Same overall size, more interior space, $10k cheaper, and there are many more units for customers to choose from once they go to the Lexus Dealership.
90% of customers dont care about RWD and I doubt they test drive these cars before purchasing.
11-04-13, 12:40 PM
#57
Lexus Test Driver
Fact. Last year the GS was only 800 units shy of its sales goal. So it pretty much met its target. Not sure of the target this year but its down only what 15% or so?
This fact seems to be over many peoples heads but the E/5 will sell like crazy and the others will not here. The GS seems to be okay for now where it is and maybe the 13/14 model change had numbers down some. Surely they will go up as sales usually do for "December to Remember" of course GS haters will then spin whatever bull**** they can come up with to hate on the car.
The Lexus GS .Where third place in sales in a segment dominated by the 5/E with their 50 variants is a bad thing.
This fact seems to be over many peoples heads but the E/5 will sell like crazy and the others will not here. The GS seems to be okay for now where it is and maybe the 13/14 model change had numbers down some. Surely they will go up as sales usually do for "December to Remember" of course GS haters will then spin whatever bull**** they can come up with to hate on the car.
The Lexus GS .Where third place in sales in a segment dominated by the 5/E with their 50 variants is a bad thing.
Do i expect it to sell more than Eclass or 5series? No
But Audi A6 is outselling it now, and they have much less dealers in US.
Now CTS will be another strong competitor in the segment that was not there before.
11-04-13, 12:41 PM
#58
Lead Lap
Answer is very easy - bec the ES exists.
Same overall size, more interior space, $10k cheaper, and there are many more units for customers to choose from once they go to the Lexus Dealership.
90% of customers dont care about RWD and I doubt they test drive these cars before purchasing.
Same overall size, more interior space, $10k cheaper, and there are many more units for customers to choose from once they go to the Lexus Dealership.
90% of customers dont care about RWD and I doubt they test drive these cars before purchasing.
11-04-13, 12:47 PM
#59
Answer is very easy - bec the ES exists.
Same overall size, more interior space, $10k cheaper, and there are many more units for customers to choose from once they go to the Lexus Dealership.
90% of customers dont care about RWD and I doubt they test drive these cars before purchasing.
Same overall size, more interior space, $10k cheaper, and there are many more units for customers to choose from once they go to the Lexus Dealership.
90% of customers dont care about RWD and I doubt they test drive these cars before purchasing.
90% of customers in the snow belt want FWD over RWD.
11-04-13, 12:52 PM
#60
Lexus Test Driver