Toyota Oct. US Sales Up 6.9% - Update

(RTTNews) - Toyota Motor Corp (TM) said Monday its U.S. sales in October rose 6.9 percent from last year, led by brands like Camry and Corolla as well as SUVs such as RAV4, Highlander and 4Runner.

"October vehicle sales were the best for the month in 10 years as an improving economy and lower gas prices drove strong SUV sales," said Bill Fay, Toyota division group vice president and general manager.

Toyota's October U.S. sales climbed to 180,580 units from 168,976 last year.

At namesake Toyota division, sales in October rose 7.5 percent year-over-year to 157,225 units, while sales at Lexus segment climbed 2.8 percent to 23,355 units.

Car sales at Toyota division rose 3.2 percent from last year to 81,791 units. Camry sales jumped 13.8 percent and Corolla sales climbed 5.6 percent, while sales of Yaris and Prius dropped.

Car sales at Lexus division inched up 1.9 percent from the prior year to 13,004 units.

Truck sales at Toyota division rose 12.6 percent to 75,434 units, and at Lexus division, sales dropped 3.9 percent to 10,351 units.

TM is trading at $121.90, up $0.55 or 0.45%, on a volume of 476k shares on the NYSE.