Toyota Motor Corp. led U.S. gains for Asia-based automakers in January after sales rebounded from a recall that halted some deliveries a year earlier.
The world's largest automaker said Tuesday that sales in the U.S. jumped 17 percent last month, beating the 16 percent average of four estimates compiled by Bloomberg. Deliveries rose 13 percent for Honda Motor Co., 15 percent for Nissan Motor Co. and 22 percent for Hyundai Motor Co.
Toyota's biggest U.S. recall forced it to halt sales of eight models in January 2010, including the top-selling Camry sedan, to repair sticky accelerator pedals. "Toyota's problems have not evaporated with the coming of the new year," said Aaron Bragman, an analyst at IHS Automotive. "On the product side, I don't see a lot of momentum for them right now. Hyundai and Ford have outpaced Toyota."
Among small cars, Hyundai's new Elantra and Ford Motor Co.'s Focus may appeal more to U.S. consumers than Toyota's Corolla, the segment's top-selling car, Bragman said.