Toyota Camry 2002 News

That's the showroom tag for the Toyota Camry hybrid, which finally hits the road today.  The hybrid is being pitched as the flagship in the Camry range, from the way it looks to a cabin that is claimed to set a new standard for quietness in a locally-made car. The hybrid bottom line is fuel economy of 6 litres/100km, with performance that trims a full second from the petrol-powered Camry's 0-100km/h time.  The $36,990 pricetag compares to $29,990 for a basic Camry Altise, or $39,990 for a Prius hybrid. The basic details of the Camry hybrid have been public since the car was introduced in 2006 in the USA, but there has been a lot of work on 'Australianising' the car, both for production and driving.  "Right from day one we knew that the American version wasn't going to work," says Phil King, who headed local chassis tuning work. The result is a car which is more responsive, as well as packing a full suite of safety gear.  The Camry hybrid picks up the vast majority of its mechanical package from the third-generation Prius, which went on sale last year, although it has a 2.4-litre engine (up from 1.8) and still has a drive belt for the water pump, unlike the Prius. Full details of the pricing, equipment and sales plan will be revealed later today. But Toyota Australia is already trumpeting six airbags, ESP stability control, active steering assistance and a special power cut-off.  But the boot has taken a hit to fit the onboard battery system. "This hybrid can walk, and chew gum," says Peter Evans, technical chief for Toyota's imported cars.  More details later, together with a first driving impression.

The upcoming Camry hybrid is an obvious prospect for overseas sales, with New Zealand already committed, but the real key for Australia is everything from car parts to engineering brains and design skills. Toyota believes local brainpower could help fuel its growth in the Asian region over the next 10 years with many emerging economies linked through a re-organisation that puts Australia into the same region as China and India.  "Australia is very much in a strategic position for this growth belt for automotive," said Yukitoshi Funo, one of only five executive vice- presidents of global Toyota, during a flying visit to celebrate production of the first petrol-electric Camry at Altona in Melbourne. "Australia is very much strategically well positioned in terms of taking advantage of this growth belt. That is China, Asia, India, the Middle East and even Africa. Australia is not an amateur, if you like, in terms of doing exports for other destinations."  But Funo stopped well short of pushing for more Camry exports and said Toyota Australia had other possibilities which would also be open to other local companies, including component makers, in coming years. "How to integrate this automotive industry with those Asian neighbours is the key question. What is the advantage, what is the weakness, what is the area that should learn more? These are the issues that the Australian automotive industry should address," he said, before focussing on Toyota Australia. "We have to look at Camry, we have to look at other models, we have to look at components, we have to look at components in components. Like, for example, to reduce the Yen component.  "Of course, there are other areas. Like we have engineering units here. They could do organise a closer relationship with sister organisations located in Bangkok." This would be a similar approach to the one which has worked successfully for both GM Holden and Ford in Australia.  Ford has done a number of regional development programs, including two small cars for India and a pick-up for Asia, while Holden engineered and developed the Chevrolet Camaro which is now built in North America. Toyota Style Australia, run under the direction of Paul Beranger, is already linked into Toyota's global design process and the company makes extensive use of proving ground facilities at Anglesee near Melbourne.  Toyota is hopeful that its exports to the Middle East will rebound in 2010 after a major slump this year which has cut output at Altona from a peak of 148,000 to around 110,000 cars. But, with just 10,000 hybrid Camrys on the books for next year, it is unlikely to be more than a trickle feed to any customers outside the country until at least 2011.  Funo also outlined a program to try and make Australia the first 'currency free' operation inside Toyota, removing the peaks and troughs of exchange rate fluctuations that make it so tough to do business as both the country's biggest automotive importer and exporter. "This company exports many, many cars to other destinations like the Middle East. But at the same time we import many.  "I think if we apply a little bit more aggressive effort in terms of the exports, or reducing the currency, or something like that, from Japan to a weaker currency. By doing that we can maybe make Australia the first currency-free operation in the world for Toyota." "We can expect some counter-measures ... if you want to call it that, with development of small cars and suchlike."

GM Holden is less than two months from an economy-based update of its VE Commodore, Ford is promising a four-cylinder Falcon and more in 2010, and Toyota has just slashed the consumption of its family focussed Camry. The four-cylinder Toyota now tips the bowsers at an official rating of 8.8L/100km, trumping the best Commodore at 10.6 and the most efficient of the Falcons, the six-speed automatic XT build after April, at 9.9. But Holden is promising a double-digit improvement to its economy when the updated VE hits the road, probably in early September, while Toyota will only hold the line at 9.9 when it does a similar update job to the Camry on its V6 Aurion in September. "Fuel economy is an important issue for consumers. It's important that we remain competitive," says Toyota's head of sales and marketing, Dave Buttner. "There is no denying there have been improvements by some of our competitors. We are focussed on our customer's needs." That focus is reflected in a facelift which gives the Camry a slight visual lift and a significant value hike. Toyota says all models now come with six airbags and Bluetooth phone connection, while the Ateva and Grande get a rear parking camera. The Grande also keyless entry and starting, reversing sonar and an upgraded sound system. The bottom line is also sharper, with a $1200 price cut on the Atevo and Sportivo. "We've got improve value. So we're excited about the facelift," Buttner says. Camry sales are averaging around 1500 a month, down from previous years, but Buttner says the car is still holding its share of the medium class and he expects a significant boost through the back end of the year.  

The biggest recall has hit Toyota, which wants to check 144,500 Camrys for headlights, and nearly 8000 Honda Civics also have light problems.The federal Department of Transport says eight imported cars have been recalled since June 1, even Volvo, which makes safety a key selling point, hasn't escaped, recalling cars to check on a faulty door assembly.The latest recalls are;Audi: A6 built between March 2004 and March 2005 may have a software fault which, in exceptional circumstances, could delay release of both front air bags in an accident. Number of cars, 464.Toyota: Camrys built from June 2002 to May 2006; faulty headlight switch which may cause headlights to flicker or temporarily fail. Number involved, 144,589.Honda: Civic sedan and somes hatches built between 2001 and 2002; problem with plastic terminal connector melting, causing low beam lights to fail. Number, 7979.Volvo: Current model C70 may have incorrect left hand door assembly, so it doesn't meet legal requirements in an accident. Number, 173.Mazda: The Mazda3 MPS built from May 2006 to May 2007 may have a loose bolt securing the engine and transmission to its mounting. If it falls out, the engine may drop, detaching the drive shaft. Number of recalls, 1160. Recall will start next week. 

ITS styling and performance won't set the world alight, but it's hard to knock the Toyota Camry's quality and reliability. It's not a car for enthusiasts but perfect for those who want a car that gets the job done with a minimum of fuss. The Camry has been around since the 1980s and has built a solid reputation for reliability. Over the years it has evolved into a larger family car more in the traditional Australian style, though it has lost none of the qualities that made it so popular. MODEL WATCH THE fourth-generation Camry, which arrived in 1997, was more refined and attractive than earlier models. It was still conservative, but had cleaner contemporary lines that gave it a much sleeker look. It wasn't quite as big as the Holden or Ford, but straddled the divide between medium and large cars. It could seat four in comfort but five was a squeeze. Like the exterior, the interior was fairly bland but functional. It was well laid out and well built with quality plastics, trim and fittings that gave it a feeling of substance. The seats were fairly flat, not the sporty sort that wrap around you, and were covered in rather utilitarian, hard-wearing cloth. There was a good-sized boot with a relatively low loading lip for easy access, and the rear seat could be split and folded to accommodate larger or longer objects. The Camry differed from the Commodore and Falcon in being front-wheel-drive. It was a tough proposition for Toyota to sell front-wheel drive when its rivals had established a strong position in the large segment with rear-wheel-drive models. There is no question that a rear-wheel-drive car with the weight over the drive wheels is better for towing. As a result the Camry's towing capacity -- 1100-1200kg -- is lower than its main rivals. The model range was extensive so there was one to suit just about everyone. The double overhead camshaft, 16-valve, 2.2-litre four-cylinder engine with 94kW at 5200 revs and 187Nm at 4400 revs was a competent performer. But its real strength was its fuel economy, which was between 9.5 and 11.0 litres/100km. For more performance there was the all-alloy quad-cam 3.0-litre V6, which gave the Camry plenty of zip. The V6 was also superbly smooth and a joy to drive. Not surprisingly the fuel consumption was higher, but not as high as might be expected. Generally it came in at 10.0 to 12.0 litres/100km. Most were sold with a four-speed automatic transmission, but there was also a five-speed manual. The range began with the four-cylinder CSi sedan and wagon which were fairly basic with carpets, central locking and four-speaker sound. Next was the Conquest with front power windows, anti-skid brakes, dual airbags and cruise. It came in both four and V6 forms. The top four-cylinder was the CSX with auto airconditioning, velour trim, six-speaker sound and power windows front and rear. The top V6 was the Touring, which had uprated suspension and a power antenna. ON THE LOT PAY $7000-$11,000 for a four-cylinder CSi sedan. Add $800 for a similar wagon. To step up to a CSX you'll need to pay $8000-$13,000. Add $700 for the wagon. For a V6 CSi you have to spend $8000-$12,000. Add $800 for the wagon. Move up to a better-equipped Conquest for an extra $800. The range-topping Touring costs $12,000-$15,000. IN THE SHOP THE Camry is well built and reliable but still needs proper servicing to ensure it stays that way. Ask for a service record that can be verified. Walk away if it's not produced. The popularity of the Camry means there are plenty to choose from, so spend the time to find a good one. The coolant needs to be changed annually to prevent internal corrosion requiring expensive repairs. It's also important to change the cam timing belt every 150,000km. The transmission holds up well, but make sure you can select gears smoothly on manual transmissions, and ensure the auto changes gears smoothly and without hesitation. CRUNCH TIME THE Camry generally shows up well in crash surveys. Its well-designed and strong body gives good basic crash protection. Some models have dual airbags and anti-skid brakes, but check for them because they weren't standard across the range. THE BOTTOM LINE BLAND, but a solid, well-built car that is perfect family transport.