Toyota says global April sales up 21.3 % on-year

Japanese automaker Toyota yesterday said global sales surged 21.3 per cent year-on-year in April, despite millions of safety recalls worldwide that have left it facing a series of lawsuits in the US.

The Toyota group, which includes brands Daihatsu and Hino trucks, said it sold 671,921 vehicles last month, up from 554,034 a year earlier, spokesman Paul Nolasco said. The figure was lower than March sales of 876,126, however.

The world's largest automaker said global production jumped 53.8 per cent to 667,495 units compared to a year ago, when the industry was in the grip of the financial crisis.

Toyota continues to see its sales rise despite having pulled around 10 million vehicles worldwide since late last year for safety issues.

It also paid a record $16.4 million fine to settle claims it hid gas pedal defects blamed for more than 80 deaths in the US, with US officials refusing to rule out the possibility of more fines.

The beleaguered auto giant also faces a host of lawsuits over "unintended acceleration" issues that prompted the majority of the recalls, which analysts warn may yet dent the future profitability of the company.

Earlier this month it said it would recall 11,500 Lexus vehicles worldwide because of a steering system defect, in the latest blow to the Japanese auto giant's reputation.

Despite the recalls, Toyota posted a return to profit in the past fiscal year, including a net profit of 112.2 billion yen in the three months ended March, the height of its crisis, defying many expectations.

Other Japanese makers posted sales and production gains yesterdayy as the industry continues to rebound on booming global demand which has helped drive Japan's export-led recovery from deep recession.

Second-largest maker Honda Motor marked its 10th straight monthly increase of domestic sales, which rose 9.5 per cent on-year. It did not give global sales figures.

Third-largest Nissan saw global production rise 57 per cent on-year to 319,673, what it called an all time record for April.

Fourth-largest maker Mitsubishi Motors, said its global production gained 72.7 per cent from a year ago. Close rival Mazda saw production soar 51.4 per cent.