Toyota says sales in U.S. edge lower in September

10/1/2010
ASSOCIATED PRESS

TORRANCE, Calif. — Toyota says its U.S. September sales fell from the prior month as demand for its Lexus luxury models slipped.

September sales fell about 1 percent, weighed down by a 13 percent drop in Lexus. The weaker performance by the high-end brand was offset by steady sales of Toyota brand cars and trucks.

Other automakers have been reporting sales throughout the day Friday. General Motors sales fell about 6 percent. Chrysler and Ford, however, posted better August-to-September results.

Toyota's sales rose 17 percent compared with September last year, when a slowdown following the popular Cash for Clunkers program kept demand for new cars and trucks depressed.