Toyota sales grow 60% since last year

Lower Gas Prices and New Models Sent Vehicle Sales Higher in June

By BILL VLASIC, NYT

DETROIT — The auto industry surpassed expectations in June by reporting a 22 percent increase in sales, fueled in part by lower gas prices and a surge of interest in new car models.

While analysts had forecast a softening in demand, the car companies on Tuesday reported strong sales in most vehicle segments without the need to resort to higher discounts.

The biggest winners during the month were Toyota and Honda, which a year ago were affected by inventory shortages after the earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

Toyota said its sales grew 60.3 percent in June over last year, and Honda reported a 48.8 percent increase. Both companies were bolstered by big gains in sales of their bread-and-butter sedans like the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord.

“It feels good to be back in the race,” said John Mendel, head of United States sales for Honda.

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