Toyota Tops 3 Million Used Cars Sold

Fresh out from the cone of shadow it entered at the beginning of 2010, thanks to the unintended acceleration report filed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and NASA, Japanese manufacturer Toyota has another reason to celebrate.

In a press statement released today, the auto maker announced it had become the first single line manufacturer to sell 3 million certified pre-owned (CPO). The 3 millionth model sold was a 2008 Sienna (recipient of the Kelley Blue Book Best Resale Value Award in the minivan category for two years in a row), which was handed for free, as a sign of gratitude, to one lucky customer.

The winner of the car, Sara Hirschhorn of Chicago, Illinois, received from Toyota a $22,470 as a reimbursement for her purchase. In addition, the place where she works, the NorthShore University HealthSystem Foundation, received an equal amount of money as a donation from Toyota.

“Our sales success in 2010 validates the tremendous confidence that our customers have in the Toyota brand,” said Bob Carter, Toyota Division group vice president and general manager. “Our Toyota Certified Used Vehicle program helps our dealers to build a strong portfolio of customers that frequently return to buy a new or certified pre-owned Toyota.”

Showing that customers trust CPOs as much as any new Toyota-badged vehicle, this week's achievement comes only months after the company became the first to sell 300,000 vehicles of a single nameplate in this segment.

“We congratulate Sara on her purchase,“ Carter added. “With consistently high resale values, Toyota Certified Used Vehicles are a smart choice.”