Toyota Sales Off 34.6% in June, But Execs See Better Days Ahead

Improving consumer confidence, loosening credit and some hot new models should make for a better second half 2009 for Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc., officials say.

The auto maker saw June light-vehicle sales hit 131,654, down 34.6% from year-ago on a daily-rate basis (25 days this year vs. 24 in 2008).

But executives say Toyota is well positioned as early signs of a modest recovery begin to appear on the horizon.

“We’re starting to see optimism return to the ...