Toyota Rules the September Sales

Toyota Motor Corp. is taking pleasure in not only the prestige given to it by car critics and aficionados but the results of the September sales. The limelight, along with its gratifying benefits is now seized by the automaker.

According to the September sales report, automakers sold a total of 1.35 million cars and trucks in the U.S. Toyota sold 25 percent more than its sales last year of the same month. Among the vehicles that rank high in sales are Toyota Camry, Corolla and Yaris. The increase in sales also benefited Toyota Corolla parts as well as that of Camry and Yaris

Toyota sold 222,950 vehicles in September. Toyota's car sales soared 18.4 percent while truck sales increased by 34.9 percent. Erich Merkle, an analyst with Grand Rapids-based auto consulting company IRN Inc. said, "They're this 800-pound gorilla out there that nobody can stop."

The sales figures of Toyota's Tundra pickup have increased by 12,609 units, 74 percent higher than the previous record. However, it is way behind the leading Ford F-Series, with 70,822 units sold. Chevrolet Silverado lands on the second spot with51,964 units sold.

Xavier Dominicis, Toyota spokesman said, "Tundra sales were in part fueled by fall incentives aimed at making room for the 2007 model, which goes on sale in February. The offers vary by region."

GM sold 334,025 vehicles. Said figure is 3.1 percent lower than the previous year's sales. Critics are saying that greater part of the loss is attributed to the auto giant's plan to wean low-profit fleet sales to rental companies.

Paul Ballew, GM's executive director of global market and industry analysis, noted that even though there was a shift back toward trucks in the past six weeks, Ballew wants to wait until the fourth quarter prior to enunciating future trends. He added, "I think it's too early to say that all the pressures from gas prices are gone."

On the bright side of it, Ford has benefited 4.7 percent gain in sales. Ford's gain to 237,664 vehicles was triggered largely by car purchases, which has increased by 26.2 percent. Nonetheless, the automaker has suffered 5.5 percent truck sales reduction. The figures include Volvo, Jaguar and Land Rover – all are Ford's brands.

Mark Clarkson is a 35 year old marketing consultant for a leading auto parts store. This native of Denver is also an offroad enthusiast.