MPLexus301

iTrader: (3)

The next logical question then is, "Then what do they buy instead?" And then you realize that the "all other mid sized sedans" includes the following:

Accord
Altima
Sonata
Fusion
Malibu
Aura
G6
Avenger
Passat
Galant

So the fact that the Camry accounts for more than a quarter of ALL midsize sedan sales so far, YTD, is pretty insane.

IS-SV

Frankly I'm not surprised by the Camry's success.

PhilipMSPT

iTrader: (5)

The Accord does not have an efficient hybrid.

The Accord does not have a two-door convertible version (Camry Solara, which is included in Camry sales numbers).

The Accord has an underwhelming luxury sibling (TSX versus ES350).

dunnojack

tl..................

IS350jet

Honda has the highest customer loyalty in the industry. Toyota has the best reputation for reliability in the industry. Perhaps, in the long run, people are more interested in reliability. (although, there is no evidence that proves one, more reliable than the other) The Accord, while no means a sports sedan, does have a slight sporty character and excellent steering feel, yet, still has an element of luxury that rivals the Camry. The Camry is a very softly sprung car with no sporting pretensions, whatsoever. IMO, the Accord is much more structurally solid than the Camry, and stays solid year after year. The Camry seems to get "loose" after about 60k. There are benefits and drawback to both cars. Maybe one reason the Camry sells better is because the Camry buyer is buying a car built by the same company that builds Lexus, and, in fact, is built on the very same chassis as the ES350.

The G Man

The difference is so small that just the Camry hybrid sales alone would put the Camry ahead of the Accord.

RX300-BV

Well technically, the Camry represents about 1/5 of all mid-size sales, not 1/4. (150k/738k)

I'm more impressed by seeing the Prius accounting for 50% of all hybrid sales.

teeder27

You brought up a very good point. Toyota sells Camry's to rental car companies at a DEEP discount. Honda doesn't discount its cars to be put in rental fleets, if you want Honda in your rental fleet, you have to buy at full price. That is why there are a zillion Camry's in rental fleets and only a very few Accords.

LexFather

I think was Phil is saying is there are those that will cross shop and buy the Euro Accord (TSX) over the USDM Accord hurting Accord sales b/c the two cars prices can be the same. A TSX can be had under 30k like an Accord EX V-6.

This is a really good point no one has mentioned yet. It does seem people love the fact their Camry is related to a Lexus. The Lexus "halo" glows down onto the Camry. Very good observation!

Do u have a link to support what you are saying?

Look at this. Altima is the rental king.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/car...domestics.html

The G Man

Are you serious? Anyone who step into a Camry will notice immediately that it is not a Lexus

LexFather

Its called a "halo" effect. IS350jet makes a great point. People buying a Camry are more inclined to do so b/c of its relationship with Lexus as they respect and revere Lexus and its accomplishments. Thus their Camry is "a poor mans Lexus". In contrast Accord buyers don't feel the same way in regards to Acura and in many ways feel their Accord is just as good/superior for a lesser price.

So in summary the Lexus/Camry relationship helps to sell Camrys. I think it is a great point!

ffpowerLN

iTrader: (1)

I've heard from more than one Camry owner who mentioned his/her cars share "components" with the ES350. They may not know exactly what's shared between the two but they do know that the two cars are related.

That's really a plus for Camry if you ask me.

On the other hand with the Accord owners:

Accord owner: Hey you know that my car shares "components" with the Acura TL right?

Accord owner's friend: Oh you mean the one with the ugly beak?

Accord owner: ...

leedogg

So are you saying that honda sharing the same platform as Acura is bad, but Toyota sharing the same platform as Lexus is good?

Allen K

iTrader: (4)

No he's saying that Lexus' success helps fuel Toyota sales. Instead of "The people that make Toyota also make Lexus" it becomes "The people that make Lexus also make Toyota"

IS350jet

Well, I think the Camry is pretty much unmodified from the ES350's platform/chassis. They even share the exact same suspension components and wheelbase. Structurally, they are identical. Although the TL and Accord are built on the same platform, the TL is, in fact, a modified Accord platform. The suspension components are all different. The Accords Wheelbase is about 1" longer than the TL. The two cars, really, couldn't be any different, yet they are so similar.