March 28th 2023
Toyota Motor Corporation, the Japanese multinational automotive manufacturer, has made a significant announcement that will surely raise a few eyebrows: the Camry sedan, one of their most popular vehicles, will no longer be available for purchase in their home country of Japan by the conclusion of this year, marking the end of a staggering 43-year legacy. The reason behind this sudden change in strategy is quite simple, a basic mathematical principle: Toyota only managed to sell a paltry number of approximately 6,000 Camrys in Japan during the year 2022, making it an economically unfeasible product for the company to continue producing.
However, Camry enthusiasts worldwide can take a sigh of relief, as the company plans to continue selling the iconic sedan in other global markets where it has garnered much more success. A staggering 600,000 units were sold worldwide by the automobile giant in the previous year, with the lion’s share of more than 295,000 units being sold in the United States. It is worth noting, however, that even the American market is slowly but surely undergoing a transformation, with SUVs and trucks gaining traction and pushing smaller vehicles, such as sedans, out of the limelight.
As per the latest reports from Nikkei Aisa, the declining popularity of sedans in Japan has been attributed to the fact that consumers are moving towards larger vehicles such as SUVs and minivans. Toyota has taken this into account and is already offering other smaller models, such as the Century, Corolla, and Mirai sedans, to cater to the changing demands of the Japanese market. Despite the Camry being discontinued in its home market, the brand still holds its head high, continuing to adapt to the ever-changing automotive landscape.
Toyota has reportedly sent out a formal letter to its dealers in Japan, announcing that it will be putting a halt to Camry production for the Japanese market by the end of this year, signifying the closure of an illustrious 43-year chapter. The decision to cease production of the vehicle was made in a phased approach, with the majority of dealers having already completed their last Camry orders.
However, Toyota has a whole slew of other remarkable vehicles that you might be interested in, such as the all-new Crown sedan, which is available for purchase at a nearby lot. According to Nikkei, the cessation of Camry sales in Japan, along with the Corolla, marks a befitting end to “Toyota’s global strategic car.”
The Camry has been an integral part of Toyota’s fleet for several decades, with its introduction in Japan dating back to the year 1980. Since then, the company has successfully sold an impressive tally of approximately 1.3 million Camrys in the country. The vehicle has undergone several alterations over the years, with 10 generations of the sedan being produced to date. This exceptional model has garnered unparalleled success worldwide, having sold more than 21 million units in over 100 countries, making it one of the most widely recognized vehicles in the industry.
The sheer number of Camrys sold in the United States is enough to make anyone’s head spin, as an astounding 13 million units of this quintessential vehicle have been sold in the country. The 2023 model of the Camry is priced at a modest $27,315 (AED 95,500 in UAE) and boasts the same level of comfort and fuel economy that has become synonymous with this mid-size sedan. It’s worth noting that the current version is loaded with a plethora of safety features that come as standard, and customers can opt for a fuel-efficient hybrid model or a TRD version with a V-6 engine.
However, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows for Toyota’s sedan lineup in the United States, as the Avalon bid adieu in 2022. But, all is not lost, as Toyota introduced a brand new Crown to the American market earlier this year, showcasing the company’s commitment to offering top-notch sedans that cater to the ever-evolving needs of its customers.
Source and Images: Car&Driver