^SZSE

Toyota Motor Sales Fall Again in April Amid Challenging China, Middle East Environments

Toyota Motor's (TYO:7203) sales fell for a third straight month in April as the carmaker saw sharp drops in China and the Middle East.Worldwide sales, including those of its luxury brand Lexus, slipped 3.1% year over year to 849,306 units.Toyota also attributed the fall to the impact of the changeover to its new RAV4.The decline in global sales was softer compared with the 7.3% fall in March and 3.4% decline in February, according to the Japanese car giant.Sales from outside Japan fell 7.5% year over year to 699,382 units.The fall was led by sales in China, Hong Kong and Macau, which declined 25% to 106,479 units during the month amid challenges in the market environment.Middle East sales plunged 34% to 31,360 units.The fall comes as Toyota has been able to withstand the impact of the conflict in the region despite trade disruptions along the Strait of Hormuz, the Japan Times reported separately.In the U.S., Toyota's largest market, sales slipped 4.6% to 222,378 vehicles despite high demand for hybrid electric vehicles and other models. The decline came after the carmaker saw pre-tariff-driven demand.Japanese sales increased for the first time in four months by 24% to 149,924 units, following a rebound in registrations after postponements anticipating the discontinuation of the country's environmental performance-based vehicle tax.Production jumped 2% to 831,971 units. Overseas production increased 3.8% to 567,578 units.Chinese production rose 4% to 118,451 units despite market environment challenges.Total exports fell for a second consecutive month in April, sliding 7% to 166,972 units. Middle East exports slumped 92% to 2,418 units.The carmaker's suppliers earlier said they are seeing more shortages due to the conflict in Iran, the Japan Times said.