Toyota November U.S. Sales Leap 15.9%

Toyota Motor Sales USA said November U.S. auto sales rose on strong demand for its Camry midsize sedan, helping push the Japanese automaker past Ford Motor for the No. 2 sales spot for a second time this year.

Toyota said its November sales advanced 15.9% to 196,695 vehicles from 169,665 vehicles during the same period last year. Ford sold 181,111 vehicles in the month.

Toyota's passenger cars sales, including its Lexus luxury brand, gained 14.5% to 109,126 vehicles from 95,316 vehicles a year ago. Sales of the company's stalwart Toyota Camry led the improvement, gaining 15.1% to 34,189 vehicles from 29,707 vehicles a year ago. Sales of the division's more economical Corolla sedan added 13.9% to 27,015 vehicles from 23,718 vehicles last year.

Sales of the Lexus division's flagship LS430 and LS460 models doubled to 3,613 vehicles from 1,670 vehicles.

Toyota light truck sales, including Lexus models, increased 17.8% to 87,569 vehicles from 74,349 vehicles. The company's largest and most luxurious sport-utility vehicles lost ground in the period.

Year-to-date, Toyota sales are up 12.5% to 2.3 million vehicles from 2.1 million vehicles last year.

American Depository Shares of Toyota fell 32 cents to $119.73 in afternoon trading on the New York Stock Exchange.