The US auto sector was short of new-vehicle inventory by the end of 2021, but consumer demand and prices remained high. The supply side is affected by a shortage of computer chips. Other supply-chain issues in 2021 are also linked to the Covid-19 pandemic. These include factory closures in specific foreign markets, labor shortages, and shortages in raw materials.
These factors combined led to a decrease in the truck and car production in 2021. AutoForecast Solutions reported that North American factories lost production of more than 2.3 million cars and trucks due to a shortage of semiconductor chips in a December report. But in a market dominated by pickup trucks and SUVs, it's the Toyota Camry that still is in high demand.
Best-Selling Sedan Of The Last Two Decades
The composition of the top 20 bestsellers for 2021 agrees with the pre-Covid demand in the US, with a rise in truck sales (pickups, SUVs, and minivans) and a decrease in passenger cars. Just four of the top 20 for 2021 are passenger sedans: the Toyota Camry, the Toyota Corolla, the Honda Accord, and the Honda Civic.
The Toyota Camry is ubiquitous. You know someone who has one. Your grandma may have one. A Camry is used to collect groceries at half of the local stores. What is it that makes this car so beloved after all these years?
Toyota decided to redesign the Camry, its most popular model, three years ago for the 2018 model year, Toyota has only made minor improvements since then. The Camry has been the most popular sedan in America for almost 20 years. Although a used Camry is sufficient, Toyota has added safety features to the vehicle after 2018. In 2019, Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa became available.
The latest Camry is one of the finest redesigns to roll out during the past few years. Holding the No. 1 car title for so long is quite an accomplishment, and Toyota would adore keeping that statistic in its corner, as it regularly moves more than 400,000 units a year. During the past year, with the worldwide pandemic, Toyota sold more than 250,000 in the US alone.
A Japanese car at the top of the list in 2021, the Toyota Camry, is very popular in the states. In 2021, a total of 313,795 units were sold, which is a 7 percent increase over last year. There was a fierce battle between the Honda Civic (263,787 units) and Toyota Corolla (248,993 units) for the second spot. The fourth spot was taken by the Honda Accord.
The hybrid Camry makes 176 horsepower from its gas engine and gets an additional 118 hp from the electric motor. According to the EPA, the Camry should be able to drive 44 miles in the city and 47 on the highway.
In a crash test by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Camry received a 9.9/10 for safety features. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave it five stars for overall, frontal, and side safety ratings.
According to the Consumer Reports, 2021 Toyota Camry ranks number one among midsize cars. It scored 88 out of 100, surpassing the Subaru Legacy and Honda Accord. This popular choice scored 86 on the road test. It also received five out of five points for predicted reliability and four out of five points for owner satisfaction.
The full-year Toyota Camry sales rose, even though the fourth quarter saw a decrease of 36.2% compared to a year ago. This was primarily due to the shortage of computer chips. Jack Hollis is the senior vice president of automobile operations at Toyota Motor North America. He stated that Toyota remains committed to passenger cars and believes there is room for growth in this segment. He says that Toyota will continue to sell passenger cars, even though most domestic brands have stopped selling cars other than specialty sports cars.
Electric Vehicles Also Took A Spot In The Top 20
The buyer's tendency towards battery-powered electric cars is also strongly portrayed. The Tesla Model Y battery-powered crossover made the top 20 list. That's undoubtedly the first time, in the current scenario, an electric vehicle has made the Top 20. Tesla's sales are based on estimated US sales numbers since Tesla reports only its global sales numbers.
In 2021, minivans incorporated with crossovers and SUVs accounted for 77.3% of US car sales, while passenger cars accounted for only 22.7%. Light trucks make up the rest of the Top 20. This is evidence of the consumer rush to pickups, SUVs, and crossovers.
It remains to be seen if the Camry will continue to top the sales charts in the coming year. With crossovers everywhere, it won't be easy. Toyota's designers have done everything they can to make this happen. This new Camry is an excellent choice if sedans are something you still enjoy.