Toyota Corolla Best-Selling Car in the Country, Sort Of

Sales numbers for June are rolling in, and the list of the top 10 sellers in the country has once again shifted. Last month the Honda Civic took the top spot away from the Ford F-150, and now the Toyota Corolla has taken the No. 1 mantle. Before Toyota can claim the spot, though, we must tell readers that Toyota includes Matrix sales along with that Corolla number because they’re built on the same platform.

We don’t agree with that form of accounting, but Toyota’s Camry came in second, so even without the added Matrix sales it still would have come out on top. The Civic slid to third.

Overall sales were down for Ford, GM, Chrysler and Toyota — yes, Toyota — as people start pinching pennies. Many other automakers saw upticks — most significantly Honda, but Kia, Hyundai and Subaru also saw numbers go up. Hyundai sold more than 50,000 vehicles in a month for the first time ever last month, with the Accent, Sonata and Elantra seeing big increases.

Below is the new top 10.

Reader Review of the Week: 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid

As a self-described "car guy," our reader reviewer, "Hoss" decided to buy the most functional car possible for his wife. He chose a 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid because she does a lot of stop-and-go driving in their hometown of Hartford, Conn. Although he has a few gripes, he still finds himself stealing the car from his wife every once in awhile to enjoy the benefits of fuel efficiency. Also, be sure to read our expert review and post your own here.

Best Cash-Back Finds: 5.16.08

There aren’t a lot of big offers this month, despite slow sales in April. Automakers are slowing their production so rows of new cars don’t sit on lots, leading to rebates. However, we have found a trio of new 2008s that are easy to recommend and offer a sizeable amount of cash back.

Many of our past picks still have significant rebates as well, including the 2008 Nissan Sentra, 2008 Hyundai Elantra and 2008 Ford Edge. Check Cars.com's Incentives page for more deals.

2008 Ford Focus sedan
MSRP: $14,755
Cash back: $1,500-$2,000
Percent off MSRP: 10.2% – 13.6%
Expires: 6/2/08
5-Year Ownership Costs

The 2009 Focus coupe was recently unveiled, and we saw minor changes to the exterior of the car. There weren’t any substantial changes to important parts, like the engine, transmission or interior. The Focus was redesigned for 2008 though, so you’re still getting a new design, and we don’t expect Ford to change much about the sedan for ’09. One change to the 2009 coupe that will stick out is a 4.6% price bump. That’s another reason to pick up a 2008 with $1,500 to $2,000 cash back. That’s a significant savings for a reasonably priced car. Plus, you can get Ford’s Sync entertainment system, too.

Toyota's New Four-Cylinder Engine

Buried deep in the Toyota Venza's press materials was news of a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine Toyota calls "all-new." Toyota remained mum on details, but automotive forecaster CSM Worldwide puts the engine's output at 188 hp. Toyota spokesman Bill Kwong said Tuesday that because the Venza shares components with the Camry sedan and Highlander SUV, the engine would likely find its way into both vehicles down the road. Kwong wouldn't confirm CSM's numbers.

Cars.com Faceoff: 2008 Chevy Malibu, Honda Accord, Toyota Camry

The best-selling cars on the market are always mainstream midsize sedans. The Honda Accord and Toyota Camry top that list almost every month, but now Chevy has hopes that its redesigned Malibu can make some waves in that pool. Cars.com’s Mike Hanley, David Thomas and Joe Wiesenfelder pitted the four-cylinder versions — the most popular engine choice — against each other to find out which one would win without boring the owner at the same time.

Cars.comparison: Family Sedans (Cars.com)

Video: 2008 Toyota Camry

We’ve been spending so much time with midsize family-haulers lately that we decided to bring the Toyota Camry back into the test fleet to refresh our memories on the best-selling car in the country. Senior editor Joe Wiesenfelder give it the once over and explains what’s so darn alluring to so many buyers.

Related
2008 Toyota Camry Expert Review (Cars.com)
More Toyota News (KickingTires)

Video: Check out the Accord, Camry and Malibu

Last week when I was checking out the new Chevy Malibu for our review, I was also able to test drive the competition, including the Toyota Camry and the new Honda Accord. Having some extra time on my hands, and extra tape in the video camera I was able to highlight some of the difference between the three cars and hopefully give some insight into the hotly contested segment.

Ed. Note: GM supplied all three cars and I believe all three were representative of what consumers would find on dealer lots. They were all near base model, four-cylinder trims. The Honda and Toyota performed similarly to other vehicles provided to us at other times by the respective automakers.   

Toyota Hybrid Credits Run Out Sunday

Can you hear the radio ad? “Sunday! Sunday! Sunday! It’s your last chance to get a hybrid tax credit on all Toyota and Lexus green machines!”

We warned you earlier this month, but if you still haven’t gotten off your duff but don’t feel like paying for more carbon-offsetting, this is your last chance to get a tax credit on a new Toyota or Lexus hybrid car or SUV. This is part of the government’s phased credit program. After each automaker sells a certain number of hybrid vehicles, the credits dwindle per quarter until they’re gone. For Toyota — which has 75% of the hybrid market share — that time is now.

To see how much tax credit ka-ching is left for each model, keep reading. You can also check out other makes and models and their corresponding tax credits here.

Toyota Recalls 55,000 Floormats, Yes, Floormats

This has got to be the easiest-to-fix recall notice we can remember, even though the problems caused can be severe. Toyota is recalling 55,000 all-weather floormats because they can stick underneath the gas pedal, causing unwanted acceleration. It seems that complaints arose about the unintended acceleration in 2007 Lexus ES 350 sedans, but we’ve also heard similar complaints regarding the Toyota Prius.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is highlighting the recall because of the number of reported accidents — eight in the Lexus ES 350 alone. So what’s the problem? The all-weather mats are made of rubber, and if they aren’t properly clipped into place they can slide below the pedals and become stuck when the gas pedal is pressed. One owner reported reaching speeds in excess of 100 mph due to the problem. There were also incidents of owners and dealers “installing” the all-weather mats over the standard floor mats instead of replacing one with the other.

In total, 30,500 mats for the 2007 Lexus ES 350 and 24,500 mats for 2007 and 2008 Toyota Camrys will be recalled in November, with replacements given free of charge. There’s no word on other Toyota and Lexus models included in the recall. NHTSA suggests owners check to make sure their current mats are secured properly and are not resting on top of the standard mats.

Toyota Recalls 55,000 Floor Mats (The Detroit News)

Ch-Ch-Changes: Toyota Knocks $1,000 Off 2008 Camry Hybrid

The best-selling car in America remains vastly unchanged for 2008, but hybrid buyers will save $1,000 over the 2007 model. The Toyota Camry underwent a complete redesign for the 2007 model year, and the car has continued to dominate the midsize sedan market. A hybrid version will continue to be available for 2008 and will start $1,000 less than the ’07 model. The 2008 MSRP will be $25,200, not including a $620 destination charge. The 2008 gasoline-powered version sees a $100 price increase, which is a normal adjustment for year to year model changes that aren’t significant.

The 2008 Camry and Camry Hybrid will arrive at dealers later this month.

Source: Toyota

Coming Soon to GM Showrooms: A Camry

Don’t be surprised to see a Toyota Camry or Honda Accord at your local Chevrolet or Saturn dealership this summer. According to reports from CNN and Automotive News, dealers could soon be carting in Camrys and Accords to display next to the Saturn Aura and redesigned 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. The hope is that once shoppers see both cars up close, they’ll set their sights on the GM.

The Malibu doesn’t arrive until fall, but GM says you’ll be able to test drive both the Aura and Camry at Saturn dealerships starting next month, according to CNN. Given that salespeople will probably have a thing or two to say while you’re browsing, it doesn’t seem likely that the Camry or Accord would get a fair shake this deep in enemy territory.

All shilling aside, GM does have one thing in its favor: pricing. Malibu prices have yet to be announced, but the Aura tops out around $28,500. Spy the window sticker on a fully loaded Camry (yes, it starts with a “3”) and it might just be enough to sit you down in the Aura — no persuasion needed.

To Sell a Malibu, get a Camry (Automotive News) — Must register to view article
GM dealers offer Toyota test drives (CNN.com)

Best-Selling Cars of 2006

A few readers recently asked when someone would release the list of last-year’s best-selling cars. The answer, it seems, is now. MSN Autos tracked down the top 10 best-sellers of 2006 using data from Automotive News, and there are few surprises. The Ford F-150 still tops the list, and the Chevy Silverado comes in second despite a 6.7% downturn in overall truck sales last year. The full list including total sales is below.

Suburban Dad: 2007 Toyota Camry

The Camry was a little like a cool fall morning: It took me a while to warm up to it. There was nothing offensive about it, but there was nothing that made me say, “Wow,” either. Still, the more time I spent with it, the more I liked it.

Maybe it was the overall feel of comfort; the Camry felt cozy during my 90-minute commute home from work, cocooning me from the outside noise. Or maybe it was the iPod hookup, which at first I hated because it was hard to reach, but which I came to admire; Toyota put enough thought into it to lay down a rubber surface for my iPod to sit on, so it wouldn't fly all over the place during every turn.

I sure wasn’t impressed by the sound of the engine when I first drove off, but I came to appreciate its power...after a while. I was even more impressed that it gets an estimated 33 mpg. My own little sedan circa 2002 has about the same zip but gets (at best) about 28 mpg. The Camry can move when it needs to, like on that long drive into work.

Whatever the reason, after a couple days driving this car I fell in love with the Camry's simple sophistication, if not its higher than expected price. The LE I drove starts at $23,040.

I took the family out to dinner at a restaurant by the local mall, and let my wife and kids get a shot at riding in it.

Cars.comparison Pits Camry vs. Fusion vs. Optima

Joe Wiesenfelder and Mike Hanley just finished a three-way shootout between some of the most popular midsize sedans on the market. The two compared four-cylinder versions of the Ford Fusion, Toyota Camry and Kia Optima in a number of categories, including ride, handling and safety. For savvy readers, the winner won’t be much of a surprise, but seeing which vehicle fared best in each category makes for some intriguing reading.

Cars.comparison: Midsize Sedans

Toyota Takes On Camry Glitch

Automotive News reports Toyota has tackled a problem with the 2007 Camry's accelerator software. In four-cylinder Camrys, the software allegedly learns the driver's style, and those drivers with a frugal right foot get less response over time. Sudden demands for power – like a quick shift into the passing lane – can confuse the system and leave drivers with less power than they need.

Toyota has issued service bulletins for software upgrades for Camrys on the road; those built since early October have been upgraded, Automotive News reports.

[Camry Engine Glitch Gets Fix, Automotive News – subscription required]