Toyota sales drop

Toyota’s sales fell 3.2% in July from a year earlier, partly because it capitalized last July on the cash-for-clunkers program.

Sales of Toyota’s smaller models – Yaris, Corolla and even the iconic Prius hybrid dropped. A year ago all three were among the most popular choices by consumers trading in old vehicles under cash for clunkers.

In a trend that resembles the Detroit Three during the period before the economic downturn, Toyota’s truck sales rose 11% while passenger car sales declined 11%.

Tundra pickup sales jumped 46% to 9,201 in July. Sales of SUVs such as the FJ Cruiser and 4Runner more than tripled.