Toyota's 8.7 Percent Stake in Subaru is Already Paying Off
Strangely, Toyota, a bastion of automotive convention, actually flies in
the face of long-established "rules" of success, at least in some ways. Take, for instance, the styling of its top selling Camry, which is also the number one selling passenger car in the U.S. Most industry pundits and automaker execs would tell you that a vehicle's design is critical to its success, but Toyota's conservative four-door has never been the poster car of automotive aesthetics. Still, year after year it remains on top of the heap. Chrysler might take kudos for bold, innovative design with its popular 300 sedan, and Ford has more recently been getting the nod for its impressive new Fusion, but despite such fresh new designs the Camry stays number one.
If
there something particularly special about the Camry's interior styling, performance or standard features, or maybe an especially attractive price point or warranty, its success would make more sense. Rather, the Camry has a name for build quality, a high resale value and reliability; despite not necessarily being the topmost dependable car in its segment according to Consumer Reports magazine and J. D. Power and Associates.
Top honours for reliability going to the Chevrolet Malibu in J. D. Powers annual 2005 Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS). Heck, the Camry doesn't even rate for second or third positions according to J. D. Power, with the now defunct Oldsmobile Alero and more popular than ever Hyundai Sonata as consecutive runners up. OK, this study is for cars that are three years old, what about midsize sedans being built today? Fair enough. In J. D. Powers' 2005 Initial Quality Study (IQS) the Camry was once again shut out of the top three, first place once again going to the Malibu sedan, second to the Sonata and third to Volkswagen's Jetta.
And what about Consumer Reports magazine? The editorial team
named Hyundai's Sonata as the most reliable car available in the U.S. last year, but the Camry is recommended in its "CR Good Bets" section, where it lists those cars that achieved a "better-than-average Used Car Verdict" in tests. This said, the Buick Regal (now the Allure), Honda Accord, Mitsubishi Galant, Nissan Altima and Subaru Legacy also made this list.
Still, the Camry continues on as the U.S. car industry's top seller and will probably remain so going into its sixth generation come the 2007 model year. How many does it sell? Sales topped 430,000 in 2005, which is remarkable to say the least, but with a much more stylish new body, dramatically improved performance, greater interior roominess and more features, plus that well-earned marketplace perception for dependability and build quality, Toyota believes sales will grow higher yet, even surpassing the half million mark. What's more, it is expected that before 2010 all Camrys will be made in the U.S.A.
Strangely, Toyota, a bastion of automotive convention, actually flies in
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| The previous generation Toyota Camry was a car that stayed on top of the lists 'till the very end. (Photo: Jonathan Yarkony, Canadian Auto Press) |
If
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| The old car wasn't anything particularly special to look at; hopefully this, the new one will appeal to more buyers. (Photo: Jonathan Yarkony, Canadian Auto Press) |
Top honours for reliability going to the Chevrolet Malibu in J. D. Powers annual 2005 Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS). Heck, the Camry doesn't even rate for second or third positions according to J. D. Power, with the now defunct Oldsmobile Alero and more popular than ever Hyundai Sonata as consecutive runners up. OK, this study is for cars that are three years old, what about midsize sedans being built today? Fair enough. In J. D. Powers' 2005 Initial Quality Study (IQS) the Camry was once again shut out of the top three, first place once again going to the Malibu sedan, second to the Sonata and third to Volkswagen's Jetta.
And what about Consumer Reports magazine? The editorial team
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| Will the Camry remain the jack of all trades, but master to none? (Photo: Toyota Canada) |
Still, the Camry continues on as the U.S. car industry's top seller and will probably remain so going into its sixth generation come the 2007 model year. How many does it sell? Sales topped 430,000 in 2005, which is remarkable to say the least, but with a much more stylish new body, dramatically improved performance, greater interior roominess and more features, plus that well-earned marketplace perception for dependability and build quality, Toyota believes sales will grow higher yet, even surpassing the half million mark. What's more, it is expected that before 2010 all Camrys will be made in the U.S.A.