Cars making a comeback, Camry leading the way
Automotive News is reporting that the 2007 Toyota Camry could be the first car to break 450,000 sales in one year since the Chevy Impala did it back in 1978. That is, if Toyota's production capacity can meet the challenge. Currently there are reports of people following car carriers with Camrys right to the dealership and Toyota is dealing with a short 10-day supply of cars for those dealers. Not only is the Camry selling well (41,892 sales in July, more than the Nissan Altima and Pontiac G6 combined), but it's selling at an even higher price than its predecessor with no incentives or rebates luring in customers. They're coming of their own free will, apparently with wallets splayed and at the ready. The average transaction price of a Camry is now $22,558, up from $22,378 in April, and dealers are making money on them, sometimes getting within $500 of the vehicle's sticker.
Toyota's challenge in ramping up production, however, is to ensure that quality doesn't suffer. Automotive News reports that some Camry owners have already begun complaining about the same hesitation experienced under low-speed acceleration that dogged owners of the just-launched all-new Toyota Avalon last year. Several Technical Service Bulletins have already been issued by Toyota, which is not uncommon for any vehicle on the market, that address such problems as an issue with the snap ring on the car's 6-speed automatic, a shift flare issue for a small number of cars and some reports of harsh downshifting by owners of the four-cylinder automatic Camry. Toyota, for its part, has begun reassuring Camry owners on message boards and forums that any and all issues are being addressed.
[Source: Automotive News via Autoweek]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
nvjfneryhur 11:51AM (8/28/2006)
Why, why, why??? I CANNOT believe people are waiting in a line to get this car! It is butt ugly and if you don't think that then just check out the side profile...a mishmash of disjointed lines and lots of droopiness. It has not grown on me and I don't think it ever will. My stomach still reviles at this car and the new Civic. Some will say "But it's a Toyota"...BIG FREAKIN WOOP!! There was a study released not that long ago that Americans have lost their love of cars, and I really believe it now that this revolting piece of crap is the best-selling car in America!!! Can't wait for the chance to move to Europe!!
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Lithous 12:00PM (8/28/2006)
Wait a minute. Everytime import fanboys spew out that the Impala is made in Canada (and leave out that the G6, Aura, Lucerne and Malibu are made in the U.S.) and that the Fusion is made in Mexico (leaving out that the 500 is made in America) and they tell us how the Camry and Accord are made here, for some reason the fact that a bunch comes from Japan escapes the facts presented.
"Sales executives are begging for the Japanese Camry plant to export more." (source: http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060828/FREE/60828002/1024/LATESTNEWS)
More? I thought Camrys were all American?
At least the import fanboys are consistent, leaving out (important) details.
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Ryan 12:03PM (8/28/2006)
Well import fanboys or domestic fanboys, I'm just happy to talk to people that like cars.
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Ted K 12:06PM (8/28/2006)
That's about the ugliest thing Toyota has ever made, right up there with the 7th gen celica. Overstyled overstated and under-everything-else. Yuck.
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Ted K 12:09PM (8/28/2006)
Oh and rising quality concerns are not news. Toyota's been slacking on quality while reaping in the profits, and anyone who doesn't already know this is probably in denial.
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Vinny 12:15PM (8/28/2006)
No wonder American's have "lost their love of cars". They keep buying the most bland appliance like car on the market. I find it hard to believe that people are following around car carrier's for this thing. C'mon people it's just a freakin Camry. If it was the new Camaro or an EXCITING car thats one thing, but to wait around to get one of these???!?! I hope this comes back and bites them all in the ass somehow.... I'm betting Toyota is gonna have massive quality issues with these things. (which seems to be happening already)
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Dr. Woo 12:10PM (8/28/2006)
The styling on this one at least beats the previous-generation model...
...but this one is still an eyesore.
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Michael Quinones 12:22PM (8/28/2006)
The New Camry is as far from ugly as you can get. Perhaps one should upgrade from dial-up to high speed for better picture quality.
That car is a Lexus with a lower price tag and a different emblem. Materials used are top notch and it is extremely fun to drive for a "family sedan." Take out an SE model.
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Michael Quinones 12:22PM (8/28/2006)
I think it is funny how everyone wants to jump on the "Toyota Quality issue" bandwagon and ignore other manufacturer issues. Toyota still has fewer and less dangerous issues than most manufactures. Maybe were just used to most manufactures sucking it up at the quality arena. American or not American, Quality is a Universal.
And all gas Camrys are made in the U.S. Its the hybrids that are being built in Japan, while Toyota awaits a plant in the U.S. to take over the job.
Toyota Builds their plants according to where the vehicle is selling. Example: Sienna and Tundra.
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Whydrive 12:23PM (8/28/2006)
Oooh the ultimate sports sedan!
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Michael G 12:23PM (8/28/2006)
I love the new Camry, its allot better looking car then it used to be. No wonder they are a hit. They sold a bazillion of them when they didn’t look this hot.
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gschoneman 10:20PM (8/29/2006)
"Automotive News is reporting that the 2007 Toyota Camry could be the first car to break 450,000 sales in one year since the Chevy Impala did it back in 1978."
Whoop de do! If it does beat the old record set by the '78 Impala it should have an asterix behind that claim. This car was introduced in February '06 and will have an unusually long model year. Imagine what Chevrolet could have done back in the day if they had a 6 month longer model year.
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gschoneman 10:17PM (8/29/2006)
"No wonder they are a hit. They sold a bazillion of them when they didn’t look this hot."
Posted at 12:23PM on Aug 28th 2006 by Michael G 0 stars
The Kathy Bates of the auto world, sooo hot!
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Travis Bickle 12:30PM (8/28/2006)
The new camry is definitely a much better styled car than it's predecesor. And don't forget that Toyota spends a lot on marketing. Everyone seems to think that toyota is the greenest auto maker, which it's not. Honda is. But, Honda does a piss poor job of marketing thus the misconception that Toyota is due to the Prius.
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Aki 12:41PM (8/28/2006)
"Import fanboy" keeps getting thrown around, but can anybody name a Toyota fanboy on this board? Seriously? Nobody here thinks they're the ultimate driving machine, get over your petty import envy. I wouldn't be caught dead in the driver's seat of a Camry, but I can see/appreciate why it sells well. Good fit/finish, sportier styliing, great resale value.
Love any topics related to Toyota, all the usual domestic miscreants swell to the surface.
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Michael Karesh 12:42PM (8/28/2006)
I find the new exterior a major improvement, at least in SE trim. But then what wouldn't be? The old car was hideous.
I wouldn't say materials are top-notch or that the Camry is essentially a Lexus. Earlier this summer I drove a Lexus ES 350 and Toyota Camry (Hybrid, but same interior) on the same day. HUGE difference in interior materials and styling. The center console and door pulls on the new Camry are especially low grade.
I liked the handling of the Hybrid considerably less than that of the regular car.
Full review: http://www.epinions.com/content_239031062148
Finally, I don't think we have enough data to conclude which way Toyota's quality is heading. CR's ratings are too vague, and recalls don't necessarily predict broader reliability issues.
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Jeff 1:04PM (8/28/2006)
I'm waiting on the special edition from Toyota Racing Development, the Camry TuRD.
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Tommy 1:05PM (8/28/2006)
Every time they introduce a new Camry the Toyota folks rave about the new sporty and exciting styling. Guess what? Camry is the very definition of 'boring car' to most people (whether or not there is truth to it). Soon enough, cars that look like this will be defined as boring merely because it looks like a Camry. Although one caveat is that the higher price may make this more of a premium vehicle than a Camry ever was before.
Personally, I think the interior is a true step forward and will be copied by other manufacturers - and I also like the bulging taillights.
Can't wait to see what Toyota has up their sleeve for the Corolla.
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Eric L. 1:18PM (8/28/2006)
The same reason why people perceive the Camry as a boring car (the 2007 model has greatly improved dynamics, esp the SE, which is on par with Accord/Altima in handling) is also why so many buy the Camry on the perception that it is a very good car.
For people knocking that Camry parts come from Japan, well enjoy your Canadian, Mexican, or even domestically built car. I for one prefer my Toyota to be built in Japan. There is a reason why every single Lexus model is built in Japan. Ask any long time Toyota owner and they'll tell you that Japanese made models fare better than US built models in terms of quality and durability. (Ok now I know someone will knock this comment, but for those who have a Toyota from Japan and one from the US, they will know exactly what I mean).
Oh and if you don't like Toyota, don't buy it. The company seems to be doing just fine without your business.
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Stéphane Dumas 1:46PM (8/28/2006)
450 000, doesn't the 1980-86 RWD Olds Cutlass sedans, wagons and coupes was sold around 350 000-450 000 units at that time?
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