Toyota October sales fall 7.9 percent

[November 02, 2011]  TORRANCE, Calif. (AP) -- Toyota says its October U.S. sales fell 7.9 percent, as it continued to struggle with parts shortages stemming from the March earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

Toyota sold a total of 134,046 vehicles in October, down from 145,474 in the same month last year.

Camry sales dropped 11.9 percent to 22,043, while sales of the Japanese automaker's popular Prius hybrid fell 6.2 percent to 11,008.

Other models fared better. Sales of the Avalon sedan rose 13.3 percent to 2,502, while Tacoma truck sales rose 12.7 percent to 10,172.

Toyota's sales have fallen in recent months. The disaster in Japan shut off parts supplies and made it tough for U.S. dealers to stock their lots. Toyota said it expects retail sales to exceed year-ago levels in the fourth quarter.

[Associated Press]

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