Toyota, Honda and Nissan all post big August gains

(September 4, 2013) The three biggest Japanese automobile manufacturers in North America all showed substantial sales gains in August. Toyota reported sales of 231,537 units, an 18.4 percent gain over August 2012; Honda set a new August record with U.S. sales of 166,432 units, up 26.7 percent compared with a year ago; and Nissan's U.S. sales totaled 120,498 to set an August record, an increase of 22.3 percent over last year's total of 98,515. 

“The auto industry continues to be a bright spot in the economic recovery,” said Bill Fay, Toyota division group vice president and general manager.  “August capped a great summer for new vehicle sales, and it was Toyota's best month in more than five years."

Lexus reported August sales of 29,792 units, a year-over-year increase of 18.5 percent.
 
"August has traditionally been a big sales month for us and our Lexus dealers made it happen again, reaching a new high for the year," said Steve Hearne, Lexus vice president sales and dealer development.  "Sales of the new IS sport sedan more than doubled and continues to bring new buyers into Lexus showrooms."

Honda was led by CR-V crossover, Accord and Civic. CR-V sales were up 45 percent  over 2012 at 34,654. The Civic and Accord both broke the 38,000 mark.

"With three of our core models topping 30,000 units and the Honda brand up more than 29 percent, our August sales definitely didn't take a break for the holiday weekend," said John Mendel, executive vice president of sales at American Honda. "We're keeping our foot on the gas as we transition into the 2014 model year including the introduction an all-new Accord Hybrid in October."

At Nissan, Altima sales jumped 19.6 percent to 30,976, an August record. Altima sales are up 8.9 percent year-to-date and gained over a point of segment share in the first seven months of the year.

The electric Nissan Leaf had its best-ever month, with 2,420 August deliveries. Sales in new wave markets continue to grow, with Atlanta taking the crown as the No. 1 Leaf market in August. Since introducing the 2013 Leaf in March, deliveries are up 317 percent over the same period in the prior year.

Fred Diaz, divisional vice president, Sales and Marketing and Service and Parts, said: "Top models like Altima, Sentra, Rogue and Pathfinder continue to gain share in their segments, driving Nissan to a sixth consecutive record month for the division and our best retail month ever in the history of Nissan in the U.S. The recent introduction of the all-new Versa Note and the all-new Rogue launching this fall will only help Nissan sales to continue the winning streak."