[[posterous-content:pid___0]]DETROIT-- A massive recall two years ago survived by Toyota Motor Corp. and the effects of Japan's tsunami last year. Now an unprecedented rush of competitors the company faces for its franchise car, the Camry family sedan.
The Camry, the best-selling mid-size car in the U.S. for the past 10 years, faces competition with latest range of sedan this year from Honda Motor Co., Nissan Motor Co., Ford Motor Co. and General Motors Co.
Volkswagen AG, Hyundai Motor Co. and KIA Motors Corp. have raised production of their family cars, making the market even more competitive. Add it all up and the mid-size car market is as tough as it has ever been, even for a dominant franchise like the Camry. Family cars represent 15 percent of the U.S. market and a vital way to reach new buyers and keep them in their brands for years beyond the first purchase.
Vice chairman of an automotive research web site based in California, Jeremy Anwyl said that, "There has never been anything like this before." He further added that, "We have had competitive races with two or three new models, but not seven or eight competitive cars fighting it out."
This year, Ford brings out its new Fusion sedan, with two hybrid versions of the car. GM's top-selling Chevrolet division started delivering the redesigned Malibu this month. Honda showed off a coupe version of its Accord at the Detroit auto show this week and will sell the new car later this year. Nissan has a new Altima coming as well.
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