New Toyota Camry targets exports

And it has its eyes on the Middle East sales as well as middle Australia. Toyota Australia has renewed its long-term commitment to local manufacturing with the car and is already talking about the successors that will take the company beyond 2016 with its engine and assembly factories in Melbourne.

Its short-term objective is to get production at its Altona factory back to its 126,000 record as output this year slumps to just over 100,00 cars, as well as lifting exports from 82,670 in 2010 to the 101,668 in 2008. Exports are key, although the Camry is also priced from an unchanged $30,490 for local buyers with the promise of major improvements to fuel economy, quality and driving enjoyment.

"With this new product ... we have every confidence our exports will pick up," the executive vice-president of Toyota Australia, Dave Buttner, said. "It's the best car we've ever developed in Australia. "We've invested heavily in tooling, equipment and manufacturing facilities."

Australia is one of only five countries that builds the Camry and, for the first time, production of the seventh-generation model is on the same timetable as the rest of the world. Buttner said it's a sign of Toyota's commitment to its local manufacturing operation, which employs 3200 people and is the subject of a $300 million investment in a new engine factory that opens next year.

"We are totally committed for the long haul. That's an absolute statement of fact. We want to stay as a local manufacturer and believe it is important to our volume and share," he said. Toyota is on course for its eighth year as Australia's number one and the Camry is heading for its 18th year as the top selling medium car.