Japanese Automaker Sees Sales Gains in May

Strong U.S. demand for SUVs and trucks helped Toyota Motor Corp. global sales soar 46% in May over the same month a year earlier.

Toyota saw sales rise to 840,303 units in May, led by swiftly recovering demand in North America. The world’s top-selling automaker said in a statement that its unit sales were up about a third from the year prior in Japan as well.

Sales continue to skyrocket as the ongoing semiconductor chip shortage shutters auto production. Toyota maintains a strong supply of semiconductors, but even with high stock levels its May output dipped to 671,097 units from the 802,611 units it produced in May 2019.

Nissan Motor Co. also reported gains of 28% in May, moving to 348,610 units. The increase was fueled by heighted North American demand. Global production grew by 45% to 227,908 vehicles.