Toyota and Honda have posted record sales in the US in May, as high fuel prices attract buyers to their more fuel-efficient cars, according to Reuters.
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Toyota sold 235,708 vehicles, an increase of 12.3% over May 2005, bringing year-to-date sales up to 1,000,524 units, up 8.8 percent over the same period last year.
“The pinch at the pump has made small cars part of the big picture, right along with hybrids,” said TMS Group Vice President and Toyota Division General Manager Jim Lentz.” The market is healthy, though shifting.” The Corolla showed the biggest sales gain, up 28% on a year earlier.
Honda’s sales in May totalled 141,810 units, up 11.4% on a year earlier. Civic, Accord, Pilot and Ridgeline models all recorded double-digit growth.
“Honda’s compelling new Fit and Civic models are helping to drive customers into our dealers,” said Dick Colliver, executive vice president of American Honda. “However, it’s Honda’s fuel economy leadership that is driving sales.”
The strong performance by Honda and Toyota contrasts with GM and Ford. GM sales fell 16%, Ford’s fell six percent and Chrysler sales fell 14%, according to Reuters.
Total sales fell to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 16.1m units, down from 17.2m a year earlier, according to data from AutoData Corp, quoted by Reuters.
