While analysts expect Toyota's sales figures to tremble by more than 10% as compared to the year-ago levels (all thanks to the recalls that the automaker announced during the past couple of months), the throttle of its rivals i. e. General Motors, Ford and Hyundai is also not running on its full levels.

Sales tracker Edmunds. com forecasts U. S. market share for Toyota will fall to its lowest point in the past five years, the marginal gains that the counterparts are expecting isn't a positive sign either.

Keeping in mind that the month of February in 2009 was the worst month for the automotive industry since 1981 the minor gains in sales that the rivals are expecting may not prove to be satisfactory at the end.

While J. D. Power & Associates is forecasting an 8% increase in the industry-wide sales, but is not shying away from the fact that as was the case in January, unit sales to businesses such as car rental companies will provide most of the lift and there is still time left to take the consumer sentiment on a high.