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Swinging for the Fences -- Jack Hollis, group vice president and general manager of the Toyota Division, gave dealers a sneak preview of several all-new or significantly refreshed products destined for dealer showrooms. First up is the 2020 Highlander, which Hollis predicts will be a "home run."
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Toyota sold 218,400 vehicles in August. And Bob Carter wasn’t about to waste the opportunity to personally thank those who helped make it happen.
“We just had our all-time best-ever August,” said TMNA’s executive vice president of Sales to the Toyota National Dealer Meeting Wednesday. “And it was the second-best month ever in the history of Toyota!”
Yes, August’s sales were just one isolated data point. But it speaks to how those on hand felt about their fortunes against an economic backdrop that some would describe as less than rosy.
After all, while industry sales are currently on pace to reach 17 million units for a record fifth straight year, there are signs of a slowdown. But Toyota — riding the wave of a reenergized product mix headlined by an all-new Supra – is still on track to remain No. 1 in retail sales and sales per dealership. And it is striving to secure a very strong 15 percent market share.
“Even if the industry comes in a little above or a little below where it’s been, it’s still another great year,” said Carter. “So let’s have a party. I mean, if we’re not having fun now, we should get out of the business.”
Needless to say, the group gathered in Las Vegas this week isn’t about to stop selling and servicing vehicles.
Quite the contrary. Over the course of the meeting, Toyota’s leaders assured dealers that the good times would continue to roll. And they provided plenty of evidence to back up that claim.
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On a Roll -- Bob Carter, executive vice president of Sales, congratulated dealers for helping Toyota remain the No. 1 retail brand in the U.S. for the eighth year in a row.
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Hitting on All Cylinders -- Bill Fay, senior vice president of Automotive Operations, said the dealers' service business is on pace to be up 7 percent this year, parts sales are likely to set an all-time record and the Toyota Certified Pre-owned Vehicles program will remain the industry's leader for the 10th straight year.
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The Big Picture -- TMC President Akio Toyoda challenged dealers to dream big as the company embraces new technologies and business models to deliver mobility for all. "We have a duty to shine the light everywhere we can," he said.
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But it’s Toyota’s role as a worldwide partner of the Olympic and Paralympic Games that could really move the needle. Promotion of Tokyo 2020 has already begun and will reach its full crescendo next summer.
“The Games are going to be an awesome opportunity and experience,” said Hollis. “It really represents who we are as a company. Let’s continue to focus on putting people first, because I truly believe we rise by lifting others.”
And, make no mistake, Toyota and its dealers are ascending.
“I thank you as always for your support, your partnership, your enthusiasm and — most of all — for just being you,” Hollis concluded. “It’s an honor to partner with you to become the best brand, not only in industry, but in the world.”