| For the past years, the Toyota Camry and the | | | | |
| Honda Accord have been the undisputed leaders | | | | Schuster also pointed out that the focus on |
| in the midsize car market. The reliability | | | | value, performance and style of the Malibu |
| of these vehicles has been known all around | | | | makes it a tough contender in its class and |
| the world and in the United States. Year | | | | is evidence that the automotive brand is |
| after year, Japanese automakers posted | | | | taking a step in the right direction. "We |
| increasing sales of their midsize cars. But | | | | saw that with the Volkswagen Passat and Mazda |
| recently, they are facing a tough challenge | | | | 6, and then later with the new Camry and |
| from the Chevy Malibu. | | | | Accord," he said pertaining to the focus in |
| | | | style, performance and overall value. |
| The midsize car from General Motors has been | | | | |
| received with much praise ever since it was | | | | Jeff Soga, Toyota's project manager for the |
| launched in November this year. The Malibu | | | | Camry, Solara, and Avalon, agreed with |
| is also nominated to be the Car of the Year | | | | Schuster saying: "Consumers continue to |
| at the 12th annual Urban Wheels Awards. | | | | demand more value and features from their |
| Consumers are also creating good feedback for | | | | midsize sedans, and, unlike the past, stylish |
| the Malibu. With the increasing popularity of | | | | design has become a competitive |
| the midsize car showing the bowtie badge, | | | | differentiator." He also pointed out that |
| some analysts are claiming that Toyota and | | | | consumers are still looking for reliability, |
| Honda should watch out for the Malibu eating | | | | ride quality, overall comfort, value, and of |
| into their market share. | | | | course, safety when it comes to buying a new |
| | | | vehicle. This is the same as Acura owners |
| Doug Schuster, the executive director of | | | | focusing on reliability when out shopping for |
| global forecasting for J.D. Power and | | | | Acura brake pads. |
| Associates, said that the new Malibu is | | | | |
| definitely a different car from what | | | | For nine out of the past ten years, the |
| consumers have been given in the past. "It's | | | | Toyota Camry is the best selling passenger |
| a more competitive 'retail' Malibu compared | | | | car in the United States. This year, for the |
| to the 'fleet' Malibu we've seen before. It | | | | first eleven months alone, Toyota has already |
| could start to sway some buyers who were | | | | sold 434,277 units of the Camry - an |
| focused on leaders in the past, but we'll | | | | improvement of 5.8 percent compared to the |
| have to wait until next year to see how it | | | | same period last year. In comparison, Chevy |
| does and where trade-ins come from," said | | | | sold 116,140 units of the Malibu, 23.8 |
| Schuster. | | | | percent lower than last year. |