Toyota Dealer Meeting Las Vegas (2012 Camry is Coming!)
08-19-11, 11:54 AM
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08-19-11, 01:39 PM
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Form our good freinds at the Detroit News.
Conservative Camry faces stiff competition
'Plain vanilla' styling challenged by bolder models like Sonata
Christine Tierney/ The Detroit News
Toyota Motor Corp. has dominated the midsize car market for 13 of the last 14 years. But as it prepares to launch the seventh-generation Camry sedan, it faces new and bolder contenders.
The Camry, often described as "plain vanilla" even by Toyota executives because of its bland, mainstream looks, has won a broad and loyal audience over the years because it's comfortable, reliable and holds its value.
But some of its redesigned rivals are challenging the notion that midsize car buyers prefer conservative vehicles.
Hyundai Motor Co.'s boldly styled Sonata sedan has surged in the rankings after nearly doubling sales in the past two years.
Detroit's automakers have increased their slice of the market, too, after fielding vastly improved models such as the Chevrolet Malibu and Ford Fusion.
"It's become harder for Toyota to be a slam-dunk," said Jesse Toprak, vice president of industry trends at TrueCar.com in Santa Monica, Calif.
"In the past, all they had to worry about was the (Honda) Accord. Now they have to worry about the Sonata, the Malibu, multiple competitors."
People familiar with the new Camry sedan making its public debut next week say it hews to the traditional, conservative look that has defined the car for years.
"They're not re-inventing the Camry with this design," said Jeff Schuster, executive director of global forecasting for J.D. Power and Associates. "Clearly, the new Camry is evolutionary."
Toyota will unveil the car on Tuesday at the Automotive Hall of Fame in Dearborn.
Some Toyota dealers pressed the automaker to be bolder with the new Camry. One dealer said Toyota is expected to make outward changes to the car in the next two years, even before the traditional mid-cycle "facelift" that most models undergo.
Toyota declined to comment.
Masaki Taketani, a Northville-based analyst at IHS Automotive, said the Camry faces much tougher competition now. "It's very tough for Toyota and it may have to change its conception of what the car should be," he said.
Still, even in its last months, the outgoing Camry has held its competitors at bay. It has remained No. 1 in its segment despite a run of misfortunes at Toyota — the collapse in 2008-09 of the U.S. auto market, record safety recalls and then a devastating quake this year in Japan.
In this context, the automaker has a lot riding on the new Camry. A successful launch would help Toyota reassert its standing as a dynamic competitor.
On the other hand, a sluggish start would reinforce the perception that the normally sure-footed Japanese are stumbling. The launch of Honda's Civic compact was derailed by the quake, and the car is getting mixed reviews.
The Camry faces an array of refurbished rivals, including a new Volkswagen Passat.
But Toyota executives see the greatest challenge coming from the Sonata.
"The Sonata of Hyundai would be the competitive vehicle" in this segment, Takahiko Ijichi, a senior managing officer at Toyota, told investors this month on a quarterly earnings call.
The Sonata was the most researched vehicle on the North American Dealer Association's NADAguides.com in the second quarter, said Troy Snyder, site product development director.
The Camry is consistently among the most researched vehicles, he said, but "this is something we're not used to with Hyundai. We've never seen the Sonata with this much energy."
Compared with the Sonata's flashier looks, conservative designs tend to age better, say Volkswagen executives. Their new Passat also is conservatively styled.
But some analysts disagree. "That's an old-fashioned way of thinking," Toprak said. "The Sonata is the biggest competitor to the Camry now."
The Sonata and Accord will be its main direct competitors, he said. But he expects consumers to engage in more cross-shopping of domestic competitors, such as the Chevrolet Malibu, which is being replaced next year, and the Ford Fusion.
Both cars are more popular and command higher prices than their predecessors, which were designed at a time when Detroit's automakers were focusing on their light trucks.
Now everyone's battling for a bigger share of the midsize car segment, which is growing as drivers switch out of full-size cars and crossovers, Taketani said.
IHS predicts sales in the segment will rise to 2.5 million in 2015 from 2.1 million this year.
Midsize cars start as low as $19,000, but the economies of scale make the segment lucrative for automakers — and helps them reduce their overall mileage scores to comply with stringent regulations.
With the segment set to expand, there may be room for more variety, Schuster said.
"The success of the Sonata does suggest an appetite for more assertive design," he said, "without compromising demand for the standard midsize entry that the Camry has become."
From The Detroit News: http://detnews.com/article/20110819/...#ixzz1VVcasJmT
Conservative Camry faces stiff competition
'Plain vanilla' styling challenged by bolder models like Sonata
Christine Tierney/ The Detroit News
Toyota Motor Corp. has dominated the midsize car market for 13 of the last 14 years. But as it prepares to launch the seventh-generation Camry sedan, it faces new and bolder contenders.
The Camry, often described as "plain vanilla" even by Toyota executives because of its bland, mainstream looks, has won a broad and loyal audience over the years because it's comfortable, reliable and holds its value.
But some of its redesigned rivals are challenging the notion that midsize car buyers prefer conservative vehicles.
Hyundai Motor Co.'s boldly styled Sonata sedan has surged in the rankings after nearly doubling sales in the past two years.
Detroit's automakers have increased their slice of the market, too, after fielding vastly improved models such as the Chevrolet Malibu and Ford Fusion.
"It's become harder for Toyota to be a slam-dunk," said Jesse Toprak, vice president of industry trends at TrueCar.com in Santa Monica, Calif.
"In the past, all they had to worry about was the (Honda) Accord. Now they have to worry about the Sonata, the Malibu, multiple competitors."
People familiar with the new Camry sedan making its public debut next week say it hews to the traditional, conservative look that has defined the car for years.
"They're not re-inventing the Camry with this design," said Jeff Schuster, executive director of global forecasting for J.D. Power and Associates. "Clearly, the new Camry is evolutionary."
Toyota will unveil the car on Tuesday at the Automotive Hall of Fame in Dearborn.
Some Toyota dealers pressed the automaker to be bolder with the new Camry. One dealer said Toyota is expected to make outward changes to the car in the next two years, even before the traditional mid-cycle "facelift" that most models undergo.
Toyota declined to comment.
Masaki Taketani, a Northville-based analyst at IHS Automotive, said the Camry faces much tougher competition now. "It's very tough for Toyota and it may have to change its conception of what the car should be," he said.
Still, even in its last months, the outgoing Camry has held its competitors at bay. It has remained No. 1 in its segment despite a run of misfortunes at Toyota — the collapse in 2008-09 of the U.S. auto market, record safety recalls and then a devastating quake this year in Japan.
In this context, the automaker has a lot riding on the new Camry. A successful launch would help Toyota reassert its standing as a dynamic competitor.
On the other hand, a sluggish start would reinforce the perception that the normally sure-footed Japanese are stumbling. The launch of Honda's Civic compact was derailed by the quake, and the car is getting mixed reviews.
The Camry faces an array of refurbished rivals, including a new Volkswagen Passat.
But Toyota executives see the greatest challenge coming from the Sonata.
"The Sonata of Hyundai would be the competitive vehicle" in this segment, Takahiko Ijichi, a senior managing officer at Toyota, told investors this month on a quarterly earnings call.
The Sonata was the most researched vehicle on the North American Dealer Association's NADAguides.com in the second quarter, said Troy Snyder, site product development director.
The Camry is consistently among the most researched vehicles, he said, but "this is something we're not used to with Hyundai. We've never seen the Sonata with this much energy."
Compared with the Sonata's flashier looks, conservative designs tend to age better, say Volkswagen executives. Their new Passat also is conservatively styled.
But some analysts disagree. "That's an old-fashioned way of thinking," Toprak said. "The Sonata is the biggest competitor to the Camry now."
The Sonata and Accord will be its main direct competitors, he said. But he expects consumers to engage in more cross-shopping of domestic competitors, such as the Chevrolet Malibu, which is being replaced next year, and the Ford Fusion.
Both cars are more popular and command higher prices than their predecessors, which were designed at a time when Detroit's automakers were focusing on their light trucks.
Now everyone's battling for a bigger share of the midsize car segment, which is growing as drivers switch out of full-size cars and crossovers, Taketani said.
IHS predicts sales in the segment will rise to 2.5 million in 2015 from 2.1 million this year.
Midsize cars start as low as $19,000, but the economies of scale make the segment lucrative for automakers — and helps them reduce their overall mileage scores to comply with stringent regulations.
With the segment set to expand, there may be room for more variety, Schuster said.
"The success of the Sonata does suggest an appetite for more assertive design," he said, "without compromising demand for the standard midsize entry that the Camry has become."
From The Detroit News: http://detnews.com/article/20110819/...#ixzz1VVcasJmT
08-19-11, 03:37 PM
#590
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And here's the kicker from that same article:
So, if the old, outdated Camry, with virtually zero fleet sales, is still leading the segment in sales even when it's due to be replaced in a month, then how come everyone is predicting gloom and doom for a new Camry with a better interior, redesigned exterior, better driving dynamics, more safety features, better fuel economy, and high tech features like Entune?
Still, even in its last months, the outgoing Camry has held its competitors at bay. It has remained No. 1 in its segment despite a run of misfortunes at Toyota — the collapse in 2008-09 of the U.S. auto market, record safety recalls and then a devastating quake this year in Japan.
08-19-11, 03:52 PM
#591
I don't think anyone is predicting doom and gloom (if they are, it's bit premature and foolish, IMHO), but when you're number 1, there are people that want to see you fall. And if there is a misstep on the launch, people will be predicting Toyota's fall. Now we all know that's not true, but this segment is more competitive than ever. Like the article states, it's not just a battle between the Camry and Accord now. I'm glad the new Camry has kept the exterior an evolutionary design with most of the dramatic changes coming in the interior, where it needed it the most.
But being number 1 is no longer a guarantee. We shall see. I know my parents are already eying the new to replace their 2007.
But being number 1 is no longer a guarantee. We shall see. I know my parents are already eying the new to replace their 2007.
08-19-11, 04:40 PM
#592
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And here's the kicker from that same article:
So, if the old, outdated Camry, with virtually zero fleet sales, is still leading the segment in sales even when it's due to be replaced in a month, then how come everyone is predicting gloom and doom for a new Camry with a better interior, redesigned exterior, better driving dynamics, more safety features, better fuel economy, and high tech features like Entune?
So, if the old, outdated Camry, with virtually zero fleet sales, is still leading the segment in sales even when it's due to be replaced in a month, then how come everyone is predicting gloom and doom for a new Camry with a better interior, redesigned exterior, better driving dynamics, more safety features, better fuel economy, and high tech features like Entune?
"New more stylish competitiors that copied the rest of Camry/Accord formula still cannot beat the Camry".
B/C that is what is happening. Not to mention there is no Camry coupe, just sedans, no wagons either.
Its hilarious day after day to read the Lexus/toyota sucks is going to die sensationalism. It wasn't too long ago people were loving the recall mess and said Toyota/Lexus would never recover. They then jump to quality and how Toyota/Lexus won't recover and they have.
Then they overlook some splendid Toyota products like the Rav-4, Highlander, Prius etc.
Its funny to read.
Whats even funnier is Toyota THEMSELVES said their biggest threat is Hyundai. They said this years ago. They are well aware of them. Thus Toyota is improving. They are not oblivious to what is happening like how Honda seems to be.
08-19-11, 04:47 PM
#593
Form our good freinds at the Detroit News.
Conservative Camry faces stiff competition
'Plain vanilla' styling challenged by bolder models like Sonata
Christine Tierney/ The Detroit News
Toyota Motor Corp. has dominated the midsize car market for 13 of the last 14 years. But as it prepares to launch the seventh-generation Camry sedan, it faces new and bolder contenders.
The Camry, often described as "plain vanilla" even by Toyota executives because of its bland, mainstream looks, has won a broad and loyal audience over the years because it's comfortable, reliable and holds its value.
But some of its redesigned rivals are challenging the notion that midsize car buyers prefer conservative vehicles.
Hyundai Motor Co.'s boldly styled Sonata sedan has surged in the rankings after nearly doubling sales in the past two years.
Detroit's automakers have increased their slice of the market, too, after fielding vastly improved models such as the Chevrolet Malibu and Ford Fusion.
"It's become harder for Toyota to be a slam-dunk," said Jesse Toprak, vice president of industry trends at TrueCar.com in Santa Monica, Calif.
"In the past, all they had to worry about was the (Honda) Accord. Now they have to worry about the Sonata, the Malibu, multiple competitors."
People familiar with the new Camry sedan making its public debut next week say it hews to the traditional, conservative look that has defined the car for years.
"They're not re-inventing the Camry with this design," said Jeff Schuster, executive director of global forecasting for J.D. Power and Associates. "Clearly, the new Camry is evolutionary."
Toyota will unveil the car on Tuesday at the Automotive Hall of Fame in Dearborn.
Some Toyota dealers pressed the automaker to be bolder with the new Camry. One dealer said Toyota is expected to make outward changes to the car in the next two years, even before the traditional mid-cycle "facelift" that most models undergo.
Toyota declined to comment.
Masaki Taketani, a Northville-based analyst at IHS Automotive, said the Camry faces much tougher competition now. "It's very tough for Toyota and it may have to change its conception of what the car should be," he said.
Still, even in its last months, the outgoing Camry has held its competitors at bay. It has remained No. 1 in its segment despite a run of misfortunes at Toyota — the collapse in 2008-09 of the U.S. auto market, record safety recalls and then a devastating quake this year in Japan.
In this context, the automaker has a lot riding on the new Camry. A successful launch would help Toyota reassert its standing as a dynamic competitor.
On the other hand, a sluggish start would reinforce the perception that the normally sure-footed Japanese are stumbling. The launch of Honda's Civic compact was derailed by the quake, and the car is getting mixed reviews.
The Camry faces an array of refurbished rivals, including a new Volkswagen Passat.
But Toyota executives see the greatest challenge coming from the Sonata.
"The Sonata of Hyundai would be the competitive vehicle" in this segment, Takahiko Ijichi, a senior managing officer at Toyota, told investors this month on a quarterly earnings call.
The Sonata was the most researched vehicle on the North American Dealer Association's NADAguides.com in the second quarter, said Troy Snyder, site product development director.
The Camry is consistently among the most researched vehicles, he said, but "this is something we're not used to with Hyundai. We've never seen the Sonata with this much energy."
Compared with the Sonata's flashier looks, conservative designs tend to age better, say Volkswagen executives. Their new Passat also is conservatively styled.
But some analysts disagree. "That's an old-fashioned way of thinking," Toprak said. "The Sonata is the biggest competitor to the Camry now."
The Sonata and Accord will be its main direct competitors, he said. But he expects consumers to engage in more cross-shopping of domestic competitors, such as the Chevrolet Malibu, which is being replaced next year, and the Ford Fusion.
Both cars are more popular and command higher prices than their predecessors, which were designed at a time when Detroit's automakers were focusing on their light trucks.
Now everyone's battling for a bigger share of the midsize car segment, which is growing as drivers switch out of full-size cars and crossovers, Taketani said.
IHS predicts sales in the segment will rise to 2.5 million in 2015 from 2.1 million this year.
Midsize cars start as low as $19,000, but the economies of scale make the segment lucrative for automakers — and helps them reduce their overall mileage scores to comply with stringent regulations.
With the segment set to expand, there may be room for more variety, Schuster said.
"The success of the Sonata does suggest an appetite for more assertive design," he said, "without compromising demand for the standard midsize entry that the Camry has become."
From The Detroit News: http://detnews.com/article/20110819/...#ixzz1VVcasJmT
Conservative Camry faces stiff competition
'Plain vanilla' styling challenged by bolder models like Sonata
Christine Tierney/ The Detroit News
Toyota Motor Corp. has dominated the midsize car market for 13 of the last 14 years. But as it prepares to launch the seventh-generation Camry sedan, it faces new and bolder contenders.
The Camry, often described as "plain vanilla" even by Toyota executives because of its bland, mainstream looks, has won a broad and loyal audience over the years because it's comfortable, reliable and holds its value.
But some of its redesigned rivals are challenging the notion that midsize car buyers prefer conservative vehicles.
Hyundai Motor Co.'s boldly styled Sonata sedan has surged in the rankings after nearly doubling sales in the past two years.
Detroit's automakers have increased their slice of the market, too, after fielding vastly improved models such as the Chevrolet Malibu and Ford Fusion.
"It's become harder for Toyota to be a slam-dunk," said Jesse Toprak, vice president of industry trends at TrueCar.com in Santa Monica, Calif.
"In the past, all they had to worry about was the (Honda) Accord. Now they have to worry about the Sonata, the Malibu, multiple competitors."
People familiar with the new Camry sedan making its public debut next week say it hews to the traditional, conservative look that has defined the car for years.
"They're not re-inventing the Camry with this design," said Jeff Schuster, executive director of global forecasting for J.D. Power and Associates. "Clearly, the new Camry is evolutionary."
Toyota will unveil the car on Tuesday at the Automotive Hall of Fame in Dearborn.
Some Toyota dealers pressed the automaker to be bolder with the new Camry. One dealer said Toyota is expected to make outward changes to the car in the next two years, even before the traditional mid-cycle "facelift" that most models undergo.
Toyota declined to comment.
Masaki Taketani, a Northville-based analyst at IHS Automotive, said the Camry faces much tougher competition now. "It's very tough for Toyota and it may have to change its conception of what the car should be," he said.
Still, even in its last months, the outgoing Camry has held its competitors at bay. It has remained No. 1 in its segment despite a run of misfortunes at Toyota — the collapse in 2008-09 of the U.S. auto market, record safety recalls and then a devastating quake this year in Japan.
In this context, the automaker has a lot riding on the new Camry. A successful launch would help Toyota reassert its standing as a dynamic competitor.
On the other hand, a sluggish start would reinforce the perception that the normally sure-footed Japanese are stumbling. The launch of Honda's Civic compact was derailed by the quake, and the car is getting mixed reviews.
The Camry faces an array of refurbished rivals, including a new Volkswagen Passat.
But Toyota executives see the greatest challenge coming from the Sonata.
"The Sonata of Hyundai would be the competitive vehicle" in this segment, Takahiko Ijichi, a senior managing officer at Toyota, told investors this month on a quarterly earnings call.
The Sonata was the most researched vehicle on the North American Dealer Association's NADAguides.com in the second quarter, said Troy Snyder, site product development director.
The Camry is consistently among the most researched vehicles, he said, but "this is something we're not used to with Hyundai. We've never seen the Sonata with this much energy."
Compared with the Sonata's flashier looks, conservative designs tend to age better, say Volkswagen executives. Their new Passat also is conservatively styled.
But some analysts disagree. "That's an old-fashioned way of thinking," Toprak said. "The Sonata is the biggest competitor to the Camry now."
The Sonata and Accord will be its main direct competitors, he said. But he expects consumers to engage in more cross-shopping of domestic competitors, such as the Chevrolet Malibu, which is being replaced next year, and the Ford Fusion.
Both cars are more popular and command higher prices than their predecessors, which were designed at a time when Detroit's automakers were focusing on their light trucks.
Now everyone's battling for a bigger share of the midsize car segment, which is growing as drivers switch out of full-size cars and crossovers, Taketani said.
IHS predicts sales in the segment will rise to 2.5 million in 2015 from 2.1 million this year.
Midsize cars start as low as $19,000, but the economies of scale make the segment lucrative for automakers — and helps them reduce their overall mileage scores to comply with stringent regulations.
With the segment set to expand, there may be room for more variety, Schuster said.
"The success of the Sonata does suggest an appetite for more assertive design," he said, "without compromising demand for the standard midsize entry that the Camry has become."
From The Detroit News: http://detnews.com/article/20110819/...#ixzz1VVcasJmT
08-19-11, 06:10 PM
#594
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Aside from the obvious, what that article and what analysts also fail to point out is Sonata demographics. A large number of young, single males are actually buying the Sonata. The Sonata is not attracting huge numbers of families. The young single male demographic are not very loyal buyers. Once another "trendy" vehicle hits the market, many of these buyers could abandon the Sonata.
Getting back to the Camry, looking at the 2012 interior, even with the low quality pictures we have so far, you can clearly see it's a night and day difference compared to the old 2011 interior.
Getting back to the Camry, looking at the 2012 interior, even with the low quality pictures we have so far, you can clearly see it's a night and day difference compared to the old 2011 interior.
08-19-11, 06:46 PM
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Aside from the obvious, what that article and what analysts also fail to point out is Sonata demographics. A large number of young, single males are actually buying the Sonata. The Sonata is not attracting huge numbers of families. The young single male demographic are not very loyal buyers. Once another "trendy" vehicle hits the market, many of these buyers could abandon the Sonata.
Getting back to the Camry, looking at the 2012 interior, even with the low quality pictures we have so far, you can clearly see it's a night and day difference compared to the old 2011 interior.
Getting back to the Camry, looking at the 2012 interior, even with the low quality pictures we have so far, you can clearly see it's a night and day difference compared to the old 2011 interior.
Aside from the usual predictable reactions, I think this is the real truth of the scene and I happen to agree:
"IHS predicts sales in the segment will rise to 2.5 million in 2015 from 2.1 million this year.
Midsize cars start as low as $19,000, but the economies of scale make the segment lucrative for automakers — and helps them reduce their overall mileage scores to comply with stringent regulations.
With the segment set to expand, there may be room for more variety, Schuster said.
"The success of the Sonata does suggest an appetite for more assertive design," he said, "without compromising demand for the standard midsize entry that the Camry has become."
In other words it's what I've been saying all through this thread. The Camry will continue to sell but the typical Camry customer is BY NO MEANS representative of the entire market. There is a healthy share of that market who wants more edge, more style and more personality.
08-19-11, 06:53 PM
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I saw the demographics in some statistics, have to find where. I've heard similar statistics from Hyundai employees.
I still don't get what you're trying to prove. You keep saying an answer to a question nobody asked. No single model in ANY segment represents the entire segment. That is common knowledge.
I still don't get what you're trying to prove. You keep saying an answer to a question nobody asked. No single model in ANY segment represents the entire segment. That is common knowledge.
08-19-11, 07:20 PM
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08-19-11, 07:28 PM
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That article reiterates a lot of what we've been debating in this thread. Conservative vs. trendy and stylish. I think when it comes down to it, in this segment, there's many other factors that take priority over styling. The Camry's biggest advantage in the market? It's a Toyota stupid! 
And its name carries a legendary reputation for reliability and always being a class leader, or at least close to it. For many buyers, that's all it takes to pull the trigger. A lot of people actually don't want to bury themselves in research. They see the Camry as always the best seller and assume you can't go wrong with it. It's the safe bet. Doesn't matter too much whether it's conservative or has some flare, it would probably continue similar success either way.
Bottom line is the 5 year old Camry is still #1, beating the Sonata which they say is a big threat. No doubt the Sonata is dangerous competition but it's highly doubtful that it could challenge the new Camry for #1 if it can't beat the 5 year old car even after a disaster in Japan.
And its name carries a legendary reputation for reliability and always being a class leader, or at least close to it. For many buyers, that's all it takes to pull the trigger. A lot of people actually don't want to bury themselves in research. They see the Camry as always the best seller and assume you can't go wrong with it. It's the safe bet. Doesn't matter too much whether it's conservative or has some flare, it would probably continue similar success either way. Bottom line is the 5 year old Camry is still #1, beating the Sonata which they say is a big threat. No doubt the Sonata is dangerous competition but it's highly doubtful that it could challenge the new Camry for #1 if it can't beat the 5 year old car even after a disaster in Japan.
08-19-11, 08:38 PM
#599
Great post JPL. The Camry sells based on its merit, NOT because it is conservative looking. Most people I know with a Camry bought one because it was cheap and dependable. Ask about styling, they tell me they don't care since the car does what it needs to do.
08-19-11, 09:17 PM
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That article reiterates a lot of what we've been debating in this thread. Conservative vs. trendy and stylish. I think when it comes down to it, in this segment, there's many other factors that take priority over styling. The Camry's biggest advantage in the market? It's a Toyota stupid! And its name carries a legendary reputation for reliability and always being a class leader, or at least close to it. For many buyers, that's all it takes to pull the trigger. A lot of people actually don't want to bury themselves in research. They see the Camry as always the best seller and assume you can't go wrong with it. It's the safe bet. Doesn't matter too much whether it's conservative or has some flare, it would probably continue similar success either way.
Bottom line is the 5 year old Camry is still #1, beating the Sonata which they say is a big threat. No doubt the Sonata is dangerous competition but it's highly doubtful that it could challenge the new Camry for #1 if it can't beat the 5 year old car even after a disaster in Japan.
And its name carries a legendary reputation for reliability and always being a class leader, or at least close to it. For many buyers, that's all it takes to pull the trigger. A lot of people actually don't want to bury themselves in research. They see the Camry as always the best seller and assume you can't go wrong with it. It's the safe bet. Doesn't matter too much whether it's conservative or has some flare, it would probably continue similar success either way. Bottom line is the 5 year old Camry is still #1, beating the Sonata which they say is a big threat. No doubt the Sonata is dangerous competition but it's highly doubtful that it could challenge the new Camry for #1 if it can't beat the 5 year old car even after a disaster in Japan.
Radical or aggressive styling can turn off a lot of mainstream buyers, while also appealing to certain niche buyers.
We don't know this for a fact. Anecdotal evidence or personal observation is not conclusive. What we do know is that Camry owners and Camry buyers are not offended by the car's styling. Therefore, while styling may not be a priority for them, they at the same time are fine with the Camry's styling. However, radical or overly aggressive styling could likely turn them off. Therefore, the Camry's conservative styling certainly factors in the buying decision for many Camry buyers by not being a turn off to them.