Toyota Motor Company (Toyota Profit) is arguably coming off it’s worst year in 25 years. However, the world’s largest manufacturer managed to turn a profit for the physical year ending March 2009. Yes, that’s correct, Toyota turns a profit. How is that possible with Toyota’s turmoil in the American market?

Many would argue that at the core of Toyota’s manufacturing missteps has been an all-consuming desire for growth. Toyota’s growth plan hurt their reputation and their profitability. To return to profitability, Toyota returned to basics. Toyota made money the same way any manufacturing company makes money, they sold more or reduced their costs. Toyota did both.

Reduction in costs reduced Toyota’s breakeven from 8 Million units to 7 million units. Further, Toyota significantly increased their sales in China, for a small Toyota profit.

While we at the Used Car Voice have been been critical of CNBC’s Phil LeBeau from time to time. Mr LeBeau has done a nice job covering the Toyota crisis since it began.