Down “severely” in its two biggest markets because of the continuing aftermath of the earthquake earlier this year, Toyota’s global sales fell more than 18 percent during the first half of fiscal 2012, the automaker said Tuesday.

On a consolidated basis, Toyota moved 3.03 million units during the period, compared to 3.72 million in the first half of fiscal 2011. Net income attributable to Toyota was at 81.5 billion yen, compared to 289.1 billion yen a year ago; and consolidated net revenues came in at 8.02 trillion yen, down 17.2 percent year-over-year.

“In Japan and North America, vehicle sales decreased severely compared to the same period last fiscal year due to the large impact of the Great East Japan Earthquake,” stated Satoshi Ozawa, executive vice president for Toyota Motor Corp.

“However, in Asia, despite a negative impact from the earthquake, we increased vehicle sales above the same period last fiscal year due to expanding sales in India, Indonesia and Thailand,” Ozawa added.

Toyota moved 797,000 vehicles in Japan, which was 288,000 units fewer than the year-ago period. Meanwhile, North American sales fell almost 34 percent, coming in at 689,000 units, and European sales were down 1.9 percent at 361,000 units.

Sales for Central and South America, Oceania and Africa hit 564,000 units, down 82,000 units year-over-year. However, sales in Asia climbed about 7 percent, reaching 615,000 units.

Delving into more financial results, Toyota had an operating loss of 32.6 billion yen, versus the 323.1 billion yen of operating income a year earlier.

“Major factors contributing to the decrease include the negative effects of marketing activities of 220.0 billion yen and currency fluctuations of 130.0 billion yen,” officials explained.

Regionally, Japan was hit the hardest, as its operating loss escalated from 52 billion yen to 275.9 billion yen.

North American operating income came in at 61.5 billion yen, down from 145.9 billion yen in the same period of fiscal 2011. The most recent period includes 15.6 billion yen of valuation gains/losses on interest rate swaps, so without these, operating income was at 45.9 billion yen.

Europe’s operating loss was 1.9 billion yen, compared to a loss of 8.9 billion yen a year ago.

Operating income in Asia came in at 130.5 billion yen, a 33.7 billion yen decrease.

For Central and South America, Oceania and Africa, Toyota posted 58.1 billion yen in operating income, compared to 72.9 billion yen in the prior-year period.

Toyota Taps Into New Social Media

In other news from the automaker, Toyota Motor Sales USA has debuted a Google+ Page, a social-networking site designed for businesses to connect with other businesses, as well as consumers.

"As a longtime Google partner, Toyota is pleased to announce our +Toyota USA Page,” said Dave Nordstrom, vice president of digital marketing for Toyota.

“We are excited to expand our connections with owners, fans, advocates and Toyota associates in a unique environment that can be customized and personalized in ways that are important to us all; and we look forward to tapping into the diverse ways to build a rich, fun environment,” he added. “Follow us and stay tuned for our forthcoming Google+ Hangout."

To see Toyota’s Google+ Page, visit: https://plus.google.com/109401964142949249458/posts.