Toyota reveals first Australian-built Hybrid
Dec 11, 2009 By Toyota Australia.
This is the most fuel-efficient car built in Australia.
It's the Hybrid Camry and today is the first time Toyota has shown the vehicle to the Australian public.
The unveiling occurred during a spectacular ceremony at the company's Altona manufacturing plant in Melbourne.
It's an historic occasion because it marks the start of full-scale production of the first hybrid car to be built in Australia.
More than 2,000 Toyota employees were joined by VIPs including Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, Victorian Premier John Brumby, senior company officials including Toyota Motor Corporation Executive Vice President Yukitoshi Funo and the Japanese ambassador to Australia Takaahi Kojima.
The front of the car includes a new bumper and radiator grille with blue-tinted headlamps - a signature feature for Toyota hybrid vehicles.
Australian motorists will be able to buy a locally built Hybrid Camry when the car starts arriving in showrooms during February.
Its Hybrid Synergy Drive (tm) technology enables it to deliver strong performance while achieving the excellent fuel economy and low emissions of a much smaller car.
The combined power output from its 2.4-litre petrol engine and electric drive motor is around 140kW.
At the same time, Toyota expects official figures to show Hybrid Camry will use at least 35-per-cent less fuel than its locally built six-cylinder competitors.*
It will also produce less than 150 grams per kilometre of CO[sub]2[/sub] - the sort of figure you'd expect from a compact petrol car with a 1.3-litre engine.
The low fuel use is expected to translate into big savings for individuals and for fleet owners - as well as reducing the environmental impact.
At today's ceremony, Toyota Australia President and CEO Max Yasuda described Hybrid Camry as one of the most significant developments in Toyota's 50-year history in Australia.
His view is that Hybrid Camry has the potential to change the automotive landscape by providing Australian motorists with an affordable, environmentally responsible vehicle.
With Hybrid Camry in its range, Toyota will have the unique advantage in Australia of producing and selling a four-cylinder hybrid family car.
Mr Yasuda believes it will enable every household across the country to have the opportunity of having a locally built hybrid in their driveway.
He says this is part of Toyota's commitment to a sustainable local auto industry that provides innovative and attractive vehicles - as well as developing technology and a manufacturing base that attracts on-going investment.
Toyota has been working on its hybrid technology for many years as part of its response to the challenges posed by global warming and dwindling oil reserves.
Hybrid vehicles produce fewer and cleaner emissions than standard engine technologies.
They also reduce fuel consumption and therefore the demand for oil.
During Mr Yasuda's speech, he paid tribute to the support provided for the local auto industry by the Federal and Victorian governments.
He said they had demonstrated their strong desire for Australian-produced vehicles that helped meet the challenges of climate change and a carbon-constrained future.
The decision by Toyota Motor Corporation in Japan to produce Hybrid Camry in Australia was a great vote of confidence in the local company's ability.
It enabled Toyota to respond to the needs of Australian motorists by introducing fuel-saving and environmentally conscious technology as a mainstream option.
Toyota plans to build 10,000 Hybrid Camry sedans a year for the domestic market and export 300 vehicles to New Zealand.
Pricing and specifications for the new car will be available closer to the launch.
The Hybrid Camry is produced in Australia, Japan, United States and Thailand.
*Fuel savings data based on ADR 81/02 combined cycle. Fuel consumption and emissions will vary depending on driving conditions/style, vehicle conditions and options/accessories. Source of competitor emissions and fuel economy data.
Source: [b]greenvehicleguide.gov.au11 December 2009[/b]
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