toyota

Toyota is expected to sell nearly as many vehicles as General Motors in the first half of 2024—a gap so narrow that Toyota could actually become America's #1 car seller by year's end, according to Cox Automotive (CNBC). GM has dominated U.S. sales since 1931, but Toyota's strategy of focusing on hybrid vehicles—where it's been a leader for decades—is paying off as consumers shy away from all-electric cars. Think of hybrids like a bridge: they use both gas and electric power, giving drivers the best of both worlds without the anxiety of a completely dead battery.

GM spent heavily on all-electric vehicles and dismissed hybrids as a 'transitional technology,' but the data tells a different story: hybrid sales are up 10% while EV sales are down 23% in the first half of 2024 (CNBC). GM's only hybrid is a Corvette sports car, while Toyota offers a full lineup of hybrids across every vehicle category. It's like GM put all its chips on a bet that never came in, while Toyota kept one foot in both camps.

Toyota released the C-HR, a small electric SUV starting at $37,000, that swaps practicality for a fun, eager driving feel—it accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in under 5 seconds (Ars Technica). The car is packed with Tesla-compatible charging ports and has a claimed range of 273 miles, but real-world testing showed significantly less due to hot weather. It's basically a fun toy, not a family hauler: expect tight rear legroom and a car that prioritizes personality over space.