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Toyota Camry Production Slows as Sedan Sales Do the Same

By Wade Thiel

DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 09: Toyota introduces the all-new 2018 Camry at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) on January 9, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. The show is open to the public from January 14-22. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 09: Toyota introduces the all-new 2018 Camry at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) on January 9, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. The show is open to the public from January 14-22. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) /
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Crossovers, SUVs, and trucks are king when it comes to sales. Toyota’s venerable Camry sedan isn’t as once sought after as it once was.

It’s been said a thousand times. From Ford to Toyota to Mercedes Benz, Crossovers and SUVs are the high sellers in the auto industry and sedan sales are in a downward slide, resulting in some companies abandoning sedans altogether.

Toyota isn’t about to bail on the sedan anytime soon. The company has a highly awarded and much loved by critics sedan in its new for 2018 Camry. However, sales aren’t what the company was hoping they would be.

According to Bloomberg, the automaker will slow down production at its Kentucky plant, which makes the Camry and the Avalon—both sedans.

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Toyota Still Sells a Ton of Camrys

The slowdown is an affirmation to all those people who’ve said that the sedan is dying. There have been numerous articles claiming the sedan won’t last. While that may be true in the long run, the fact of the matter is that Toyota still sells a lot of them.

So far this year, the company has sold over 289,000 Camrys, according to Bloomberg.

Most car companies would be happy to sell 289,000 of anything, so while Toyota might be slowing down production a little bit, you can bet that the Camry and the automakers other sedans like the Corolla and Avalon will still play a pretty big role in its lineup.

Will This Trend Continue?

At this time, it seems it will. For the last couple of years, the auto industry has seen more and more crossover and SUV models enter the market.

Ford, GM, Hyundai, Nissan, and just about every other automaker has added at least one crossover to their lineups, and most have plans to add more. As they do so, the sedans currently in the lineup will likely be kicked to the curb to make room for space on the production line.

It doesn’t help the sedan’s case that segment stalwarts like the Camry are performing below expectations. Toyota’s Camry isn’t the only model in this position though, Honda’s Accord isn’t reaching expectation either.

According to The Drive, the Accord is selling poorly because of the shift to SUVs and crossovers, but also because of Honda’s lease deals and the fact that the car is more expensive than it used to be. The Accord is also more expensive than much of its competition, including the Camry—not that its helping Camry sales much.

Next. Is a 4-door Mustang Coming?. dark

As time goes on, what will likely happen is there will be far fewer sedans on the market. I don’t see them disappearing completely, but they won’t be as ubiquitous as they use to be.

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