While Tariffs Loom, Toyota and Lexus Crank up First-Half Sales
The automaker sees strong potential for the redesigned 2026 RAV4 and electric bZ crossover to boost sales later in the year.
Lexus exec Dejuan Ross said younger luxury buyers are not as patient as older ones, and that Lexus 'runs the risk of losing those buyers' if it can't supply them with vehicles.
Despite tariff hassles, a continued so-so electric-vehicle market, and sales declines from other automakers, both Toyota and Lexus had a good first half of 2025 in the US, with new highs predicted for the rest of the year.
Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) reported US sales of 666,469 Lexus and Toyota brand vehicles for the second quarter, up 7.2% versus the same period last year.
'We've had a really solid year so far,' said David Christ, group vice president and general manager of the Toyota division.
'Our June sales were over plan. Two out of three of the vehicles that hit dealer lots were turned around and sold that same month. We have a 12-day supply, with 76,000 units on the ground in retail stock.'
Christ said dealer lots have an average of 62 parked vehicles, but not counting pickup trucks it's only 37. 'We're producing a record number of vehicles,' he said.
The Toyota division results were strong on their own. For the second quarter, the brand moved 570,546 cars and trucks, up 7.1% compared to 2024 Q2.
Sales for the electrified lineup of 32 hybrid, plug-in hybrid or EV nameplates for the Lexus and Toyota brands cranked up 29.7% (320,817 units) for the quarter—nearly half of all TMNA sales.
Toyota's biggest problem, Christ said, was getting even more of the popular models built and delivered to dealers. Number one, by a wide margin, was Toyota's RAV4 (31,000 sold in June), 'which is just incredible,' he said.
The automaker sees strong potential for the redesigned 2026 RAV4 and electric bZ crossover (the latter, shared with the Subaru Solterra, now with 314 miles of range) to boost sales later in the year.
Dejuan Ross, group vice president and general manager of the Lexus division, described the first half of the year as very strong.
'We had the goal of 350,000 Lexus vehicles this year, building on the momentum of sales a bit north of 343,000 last year. But so far through June we are up 7% year-to-date, and are well on our way of exceeding 350,000 units.'
Ross said every month except June ended with a single-digit days' supply of vehicles (and June was 11 days). This situation has led to waiting lists of as long as two years for certain models at some dealerships.
In one of the few negative notes sounded during the call, he said younger luxury buyers are not as patient as older ones, and that Lexus 'runs the risk of losing those buyers' if it can't supply them with vehicles.
Toyota execs didn't seem eager to talk about the effect of President Trump's tariffs. But in response to a question, Christ said that from late March into early May dealerships did see 'a lot of pull-forward business' with buyers trying to get ahead of anticipated tariff-related price hikes and the potential loss of the $7,500 federal EV tax credit.
'Consumers are struggling with high auto prices and interest rates, and affordability is the buzzword among dealers now,' he added. Recent modest price hikes were business as usual, not a specific response to the tariffs, Christ said.
Toyota's RAV4 is now built for North America in both Kentucky and Ontario, Canada, which 'gives us different costs, depending on where the individual car is built,' Christ said.
For cars coming from Japan, 'the tariff is actually 27.5%, 25% plus the 2.5% that was already in place. We just hope the tariffs come down to a manageable level.'
The speakers said they hope the Trump administration and Japanese government get back to the bargaining table (negotiations are currently stalled), and work out a trade deal.
Is Toyota well positioned for the tariff turmoil expected to hit the auto industry in the second half? Please comment below.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
GeeTest Releases 2025 E-commerce Industry Security White Paper to Strengthen Online Retail Protection
WUHAN, China, July 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- GeeTest, a global leader in bot mitigation and business security, has released its 2025 E-commerce Industry Security White Paper, offering a comprehensive analysis of the mounting cybersecurity threats facing digital commerce and providing practical, scenario-based strategies to address them. Empowering E-commerce Platforms to Defend Against Evolving Threats With the rapid expansion of the digital economy, e-commerce has emerged as a key driver of global growth. However, it is increasingly vulnerable to sophisticated, automated cyberattacks. In 2024, over 65% of platforms were targeted by bot-driven registration abuse, while 47% of promotional campaigns suffered resource hijacking. Transaction fraud also rose by 18% year over year, eroding platform performance and user trust. In response, GeeTest delivers a full-path, intelligence-driven security architecture designed to safeguard every phase of the user journey—from registration to checkout. Backed by 13 years of innovation, GeeTest's solutions integrate behavioral verification, device fingerprinting, and an adaptive, risk-based business rules decision engine to support enterprises across a wide range of digital industries. What Awaits You in This White Paper This white paper serves as both a strategic guide and a technical resource for security and operations teams. Key highlights include: Market Overview: Analysis of how rapid e-commerce expansion is fueling new security challenges. Pain Points & Risks: Insights into challenges such as bot scalping, payment fraud, and the inadequacy of traditional CAPTCHA-based verification. Full-Path Security Solution: GeeTest's holistic protection across registration, login, transactions, coupons, and promotions. Case Studies: Real-world examples of successful deployments on global e-commerce platforms. Future Outlook: Emerging trends in AI-driven security, privacy compliance, and SECaaS (Security-as-a-Service) ecosystem collaborations. By aligning robust security controls with user experience and regulatory needs, GeeTest empowers online businesses to achieve long-term growth and resilience in an evolving digital environment. The full 2025 E-commerce Industry Security White Paper is available at: About GeeTest: Founded in 2012, GeeTest is a leading provider of CAPTCHA and bot management solutions. The company protects websites, mobile apps, and APIs from automated threats such as account takeover (ATO), credential stuffing, and web scalping. With over 13 years of innovation in human-bot verification, GeeTest now serves more than 360,000 enterprises across industries including e-commerce, blockchain, and online gaming. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE GeeTest Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Toyota Drops Impressive Land Cruiser Lease Offer for July
Toyota Drops Impressive Land Cruiser Lease Offer for July originally appeared on Autoblog. The 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser delivers more than you might think While the Land Cruiser might have attracted early ire for being smaller and arguably less opulent than the model it replaced, there are some immediately attractive positives to the SUV. For one, it's still extremely off-road capable, and the new hybrid powertrain ensures less time and money filling up at the pump. A total of 326 horsepower means it can move out of its own way pretty easily, too. Further adding to the allure is the SUV's 6,000-pound max towing capacity and 37.5 cubic feet of cargo space, both of which will likely be more than enough for most customers in the mid-size two-row SUV segment. Toyota Land Cruiser lease offer, July 2025 The most affordable Land Cruiser lease deal for July 2025 is an attractive $489 per month for 36 months with $3,999 due at signing. The lease allows for 10,000 miles per year, which is technically a low-mileage lease, but it may work for some shoppers. The advertised price excludes tax, title, and other local fees, as well as the $650 acquisition fee. More importantly, there is also a $350 disposition fee at the conclusion of the lease, which can sometimes be waived. Furthermore, this lease deal is only available to shoppers in the New York metro area. But, a similar deal exists for Midwest markets like Chicago, where shoppers can get the same terms for $499 per month with just $2,999 due at signing. View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article Other markets have deceptively good lease offers rolling, too. Although the price is higher, a higher mileage allowance and similar money down means these lease deals still deserve careful consideration. Shoppers in the Southwest markets like Phoenix and the Pacific Northwest like Seattle and Portland can enjoy 12,000 miles per year with $3,999 due at signing for $529 and $539 per month, respectively. Markets in the Southeast, specifically the Miami metro, can get the same 12,000-mile/36-month term for $629 per month and $4,628 due at signing. All these numbers are subject to change, and none of them include local taxes, fees, or other additional charges. Check the latest Toyota deals and incentives for yourself before anything else. Want a $0 down lease deal on the Land Cruiser? Want to ride off into the sunset with nothing out of pocket? We don't blame you. By dividing the amount due at signing over the 36 months, we can get a rough estimate of what the monthly payment might look like. For New York metro shoppers, the monthly payment climbs to a dead-even $600 per month. Shoppers in the Midwest get an even better deal with a new payment of around $582 per month. The Mountain states and the Pacific Northwest will now need to make do with a $640 and $650 monthly payment, respectively. Finally, states in the Southeast can walk out the door with zero down and around a $757 monthly payment. View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article Final thoughts If you aren't put off by the Land Cruiser's lack of a third-row seat, now could be a great time to update the family truckster. Cool retro looks and generally good on- and off-road manners make this an easy pick if you're looking for something a little bit more refined than the 4Runner but not quite shopping in Lexus territory. The latest lease offers make this Land Cruiser a little bit more attainable, especially for East Coast shoppers. We say it's a decent buy if you aren't interested in keeping the Land Cruiser for the long haul. *Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. The information presented herein is based on manufacturer-provided lease offer information, which is subject to frequent change and may vary based on location, creditworthiness, and other factors. We are not a party to any lease agreements and assume no liability for the terms, conditions, availability, or accuracy of any lease offers mentioned. All terms, including but not limited to pricing, mileage allowances, and residual values, require direct verification with an authorized local OEM dealership. This article does not constitute financial advice or an endorsement of any particular lease or vehicle. Toyota Drops Impressive Land Cruiser Lease Offer for July first appeared on Autoblog on Jul 23, 2025 This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Jul 23, 2025, where it first appeared.

Business Insider
5 hours ago
- Business Insider
I test drove BYD's latest midsize SUV. It accelerates faster than a Porsche Cayenne Coupe S.
In April, BYD outsold Tesla in Europe for the first time. The Chinese EV giant has a key model in almost every segment, including the Sealion 7. Our reviewer was impressed by the midsize SUV's handling. BYD is on a roll, with a key model in nearly every segment: the Dolphin in compact hatchbacks, the Seal in sedans, the M6 in MPVs, and the Atto 3 in compact SUVs. The lineup reflects a strategy designed to match drivers' needs in nearly every stage of life. Last month, I borrowed a Sealion 7 and spent three days driving it around Singapore to get a feel for the car. The midsize SUV has two variants: Premium and AWD Performance. I test drove the higher-end AWD Performance model, which is priced at 219,000 yuan, or about $30,500. The Sealion 7 was first unveiled at the 2023 Guangzhou Auto Show and made its international debut at the 2024 Paris Motor Show. In the first half of 2025, BYD overtook Toyota to become Singapore's top-selling car brand. By April, it was also outselling Tesla in EV sales across Europe. On the outside After spending three days driving the car around Singapore, I can't find much to complain about the Sealion 7's design. Even the panel gaps and finish are solid — a big step up from how people used to view Chinese cars. Part of BYD's visual success comes down to its design team, led by Wolfgang Egger, who joined BYD in 2017. Egger was the designer behind some of Alfa Romeo's best-looking models. As the more premium Sealion variant, this one features red brake calipers — perhaps a subtle hint at how fast it can go. The less subtle way BYD is shouting about how fast its Sealion 7 AWD Performance is? A "4.5S" badge slapped on the back — signaling that it hits 62 mph from a standstill in just 4.5 seconds. The Porsche Cayenne Coupe S takes 4.7 seconds. Behind the wheel Since we're on the topic of performance — and given that this is the more powerful variant — the risk of losing my license on Singapore's heavily policed roads felt real. Speed limits here top out at just 90 km/h, or about 56 mph. Whenever a car crept up behind me, I was tempted to unleash all 523 bhp and 690 Nm of torque. And funnily enough, it felt like, or maybe I imagined, that every Tesla I passed was daring me to do it. I'll admit it: I may have caved once or twice. But after watching how fast the range dropped whenever I floored it, I decided to drive like a more responsible 40-something. It's worth highlighting how refined the Sealion 7 feels in everyday driving. On the expressway, it cruises comfortably at fast speeds with minimal wind or road noise. Tire noise is slightly noticeable, though — this variant runs on performance-oriented Michelin Pilot Sport EVs, which tend to be louder due to their tread pattern. Still, that hardly matters when you have the standard 12-speaker DynAudio sound system and double-glazed windows. Together, they ensured I could enjoy my playlist without interruption. For the curious: Bruno Mars, The Weeknd, Sam Smith, John Mayer, Stereophonics, and Fuel were part of the mix. The 15.6-inch touchscreen rotates to portrait mode and controls everything from windows and climate to in-car karaoke. When karaoke is activated, the screen displays a QR code that passengers can scan — so drivers don't get distracted by the lyrics. Back in 2008, I reviewed a Chinese SUV at a time when the country was still new to exporting cars. I remember thinking its handling was underwhelming, even questioning how safe it would be in an emergency maneuver. Well, it's now 2025, and it's clear that ride and handling have improved. In this all-wheel-drive variant, I would be confident to take it down winding roads. Steering feedback is reassuring, and stopping power is just as strong. On the inside The seats are comfortable and well-cushioned, offering solid support for long drives. That said, I found the back seats were a bit low for my liking — a matter of personal preference, but worth keeping in mind for taller passengers. The driving position is excellent, with great outward and all-around visibility. All the key controls are within easy reach, and the steering wheel is perfectly sized for a confident grip. If there's one area that could be improved, it's the font size on the driver display. It's slightly too small, especially for those not quite ready for reading glasses, but not far off either. I also found the Driver Attention Warning overly sensitive — it popped up every time I yawned, displaying a coffee icon and suggesting I take a break, which became mildly irritating. I returned the keys to the BYD Sealion 7 feeling genuinely impressed. While I haven't tested the more affordable Premium variant, the extra 42,620 Chinese yuan for the AWD Performance model feels justified. It has stronger performance, larger wheels with better tires, and an all-wheel-drive system that adds both confidence and capability. I drove 223 miles on a full charge and returned the car with 7% battery remaining — about 20 miles of range. That falls slightly short of the brochure's quoted 460 km, or 286 miles, WLTP range, but in real-world conditions, it's still solid for everyday use.