WBRZ - Baton Rouge

Toyota says U.S. sales in March surged 41 percent, as unprecedented incentives sent customers flocking back to showrooms.

Toyota Motor Corp. says it sold 186,873 cars and trucks in March, up from 132,802 a year earlier.

The gains follow a dismal February, when sales fell 9 percent due to safety-related recalls of millions of vehicles.

Toyota sought to win back customers in March with big promotions, including cheap leases, 0-percent financing and free maintenance for two years for return customers.

Big sellers include some previously recalled vehicles, like the Corolla, Camry and RAV4.

Automakers are releasing March sales throughout the day Thursday.

GM says its sales rose 21 percent, while Ford sales rose 40 percent.