Toyota sells more cars in Canada than GM
December 2, 2009
Toyota Canada Inc., said yesterday November Canadian sales were up 26% to 16,112 vehicles from a year earlier, surging ahead of General Motors Co. for the first time.
Traditionally Canada's top seller, GM saw sales fall by 29% to about 15,000 from 21,400.
Toyota's sales rose across its product offerings, with Lexus sales up more moderately, rising about 11%, or 1,283 luxury vehicles.
"They've been struggling through the year because they [Toyota] didn't order enough product. They've been short on supply all year and some of that is being alleviated and it seems to be making a difference," said Dennis DesRosier, president of DesRosier Automotive Consultants Inc.
Toyota's Canadian-made vehicles were successes, with Corolla, Matrix and RAV4 vehicles all beating previous November sales records.
"If you look at Canadianmade sales, every one of our Canada-made products has done well. Canadian consumers are embracing Canadamade," said Sandy di Felice, spokesman for Toyota Canada.
Despite record numbers for the month, Toyota has had its share of problems this year.
A weak dollar and strong yen have hammered Toyota's profits, and the company may continue to suffer as massive deficit spending in the United States keeps the dollar down.
Additionally, the company initiated the biggest recall in its history in the United States last week, recalling four million vehicles to replace or re-configure gas pedals.
In the United States, GM, Toyota, Ford and Chrysler all posted auto sales that beat analysts' estimates.
Toyota reported a 2.5% increase, while deliveries for Ford were little changed. Detroit-based GM and Chrysler said sales fell. Nissan Motor Co. also topped estimates.
The results suggest improvements for automakers battered by the deepest economic slump since the Great Depression and bankruptcies for GM and Chrysler.
"The industry is starting to make some strides," said Michael Robinet, analyst with CSM Worldwide Inc. in Northville, Mich. Automakers are at a "turning point" as they focus on ensuring profitable sales, not just higher volumes, he says.
LINK:Toyota sells more cars in Canada than GM
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