TOKYO: Toyota Camry updated model brings a new look to the exterior sheet metal, but drivetrain options will remain largely unchanged. Four-cylinder petrol engines and the Camry Hybrid’s petrol-electric power plant will continue as before, matched with automatic transmissions.
The first updated Aurions will soon follow the Camry down the production line, with the V6 sedan to pick up similar styling updates to its Camry sibling.
The first of the new models was unveiled during a ceremonial event at the Altona plant, with Toyota Australia President Dave Buttner declaring it “the best global car”.
“We’re extremely proud to launch the new-look Camry – it’s the culmination of almost four years hard work and is the biggest mid-cycle update we’ve ever embarked on,” Mr Buttner said.
“Although this will be the last car we build in Australia, we have vowed that it will be the best. That means we are aiming to achieve the best safety, quality and efficiency results when compared to other Camry-manufacturing plants around the world.”
Toyota says $108 million was invested in the new model in Australia, which includes $23.6 million from the Federal Government and an unspecified sum from the Victorian government.
Production is expected to reach around 420 units per day, with 90,000 to be built before year’s end.
Around 70 percent of Camrys built at Altona are destined for export to New Zealand, Pacific islands, the Middle East and Thailand (for the first time), and Toyota says it will see out its commitment to continuing manufacturing in Australia until the end of 2017.
Therefore, this updated Camry will be the last to be built locally, with Toyota having built 3.2 million cars in Australia to date over 52 years.
Pricing and specifications for the 2015 Toyota Camry and Aurion will be released next month – stay tuned to TMR for more.
