Toyota 2005 Annual Report Download - page 42

40 >BUSINESS OVERVIEW
AUTOMOTIVE OPERATIONS
North America
For Toyota, there is still room for growth in the North American market. We will
grow operations by further advancing localization and by strengthening lineups.
MARKET CONDITIONS
Steady growth puts U.S. market on track
to clear 17 million vehicles
In calendar 2004, a resurgent U.S. automotive
market saw year-on-year growth for the first
time since 2000, with sales of 16.9 million
vehicles representing the market’s fourth-
highest watermark. Low interest rates, tax cuts,
and automakers’ stepped-up marketing of new
models drove up sales. In addition, Japanese
automakers’ market share is steadily growing.
And, a rising population will likely grow the
U.S. market beyond 17 million vehicles in the
near future. Meanwhile, in 2004 the Canadian
market shrank for the second straight year,
recording 1.53 million vehicle sales.
PERFORMANCE OVERVIEW
Toyota notches up record vehicle sales in
U.S. market for ninth consecutive year
In North America in fiscal 2005, Toyota sold an
all-time-high 2.27 million vehicles and built a
record 1.15 million vehicles on a consolidated
basis. Adding Toyota-brand vehicles contri-
buted by unconsolidated New United Motor
Manufacturing, Inc. (NUMMI), North
American production amounted to 1.47
million units.
In the United States, Toyota sold 2.06
million vehicles in calendar 2004, the ninth
successive year that it has broken the previous
year’s record, and grew market share to 12.2%.
Moreover, Toyota-brand vehicles ranked first
in passenger car sales for the second year in a
row, with the Camry retaining the title of top-
selling passenger car for a third year. Further,
the Lexus lengthened to five years its reign as
America’s most popular high-end car. Sales of
Scion-marque vehicles were also strong. A
network of more than 700 dealers across the
United States sold approximately 98,000 cars in
calendar 2004 under the Scion marque
following its nationwide launch in July 2004. In
Canada, Toyota’s unit sales reached a new high
for the third straight year in calendar 2004, and
market share expanded to 11.1%. Meanwhile,
in the 2005 Initial Quality StudySM conducted
by J.D. Power and Associates the Lexus
extended its long reign as the best brand, while
Toyota vehicles commanded the top position
in 10 of 18 segments.
Note: Different from fiscal year figures
1,200
600
1,800
2,400
’01 ’02 ’03 ’04 ’05
0
Consolidated vehicle sales
Consolidated production*
* Excluding vehicles produced by NUMMI
(unconsolidated company)
FY
Consolidated Vehicle Sales
and Production in North America
(Thousands of units) +8.0%
+11.8%
2,271
1,156
Scion tC
5
10
15
’00 ’01 ’02 ’03 ’04
0
CY
Market Share in North America
(%)
12.2%