Toyota Camry’s run as No 1 US sedan may end

LOS ANGELES: Toyota Motor Corp’s Camry has outrun a recession, recalls and natural disasters to stay America’s bestselling car for more than a decade. Odds are worsening that it can keep the title next year as challengers gear up for another run at topping the mild-mannered sedan.

“Camry, for a couple of generations, lived in an extraordinary circumstance in which Toyota could defend price and volume,” said Eric Noble, president of Car Lab, an industry consultant.

“That world is gone. It’s now like every other vehicle. It’s Clark Kent — it’s Superman without his cape.” Camry’s US sales lead over Honda’s Accord, Nissan’s Altima and Ford’s Fusion appears sufficient to ensure a 12th consecutive year as No 1. In 2014, though, the era of Camry dominance could run out.

Its margin has narrowed as Ford opened another Fusion assembly line, General Motors reworked the Malibu and Hyundai prepares an all-new Sonata. Even if Camry loses its grip on the sales crown next year, Toyota will remain a force to be reckoned with.

The world’s biggest automaker came back more quickly than expected from a massive product recall in 2009 and 2010 and then from the tsunami in March 2011 that devastated suppliers in Japan.

And as it did, the company focused on output of its Camry, redesigned for the 2012 model year, to meet demand and to secure the title. Sales titles are mostly a matter of bragging rights, a rallying cry for the troops in the factories and at dealerships.