Toyota Camry 2010 News

This will go down in automotive history as one of the weirdest automotive recalls of all time.

Toyota Australia will get a $30 million Federal funding boost to go towards production of a new Camry to be introduced in 2015. It means the jobs of 2500 factory workers at Toyota’s car assembly line and engine factories in Altona will likely remain secure until 2017 -- one year after Ford closes its nearby Victorian manufacturing facilities. The Rudd Government is expected to make the announcement this week. Representatives from Toyota and the Federal Government are yet to confirm the deal. Contrary to earlier misguided speculation the funding is not to add a third model to Toyota’s Altona factory. Those plans have been put on indefinite hold because of the uncertain future of local car manufacturing. News Corp understands the extra funding is required because the Camry is due to get a significant update mid-way through its six-year lifecycle. Customarily, only minor changes are made in the middle of a car’s production life but the Camry has not been selling as well as expected in North America and Toyota has taken the unusual step of approving a complete redesign. The locally-made Camry is selling well in Australia and its primary export market, the Middle East. However, had Toyota Australia not adopted the new look it would have diminished its export potential because it would, in effect, be continuing with an old model. Of the three local car manufacturers Toyota Australia receives the least amount of Federal funding and yet employs the most factory workers and builds and exports the most cars by a significant margin. It received $63 million in Federal funds to go towards the $330 million engine factory that was upgraded last year to be compatible with new hybrid technology -- but received no money towards the building of the current generation Camry, released 18 months ago. Toyota Australia sacked 350 factory workers last year with forced redundancies but hired an extra 168 workers in April on short-term contract so it could match an increase in demand for the Camry in the Middle East. Toyota exports more than 70 per cent of the cars it makes locally. However, it loses an estimated $2500 on every car it ships because of the strength of the Australian dollar. Toyota Australia balances the books because sales of its imported vehicles are highly profitable. Toyota’s new funding deal is in addition to a $200 million emergency package to be shared among Toyota, Holden and Ford to make up for the damage caused by changes to Fringe Benefits Tax rules last month. Initial industry forecasts show the FBT will reduce demand for locally-made vehicles by 20 per cent over a full year. To try to combat that the Federal Government announced overnight it would change the rules of its vehicle purchasing policy to make more Australian-made vehicles eligible. The new “buy Australian” policy will only allow imported cars to be bought by government agencies in extreme exceptions. This reporter is on Twitter: @JoshuaDowling  

The new ES is moving up and away from its one-time twin, finally earning a dedicated development program intended to make it a real Lexus and not just a Camry with a posh badge. The ES hits Australia before the end of the year with a two-poweplant plan that includes a hybrid for the first time, and big promises about improvements in every area. "The decision to develop ES on a different platform came about in the initial development stage, when I drove the previous generations and spoke to potential customers about the things they liked and disliked about ES," the car's chief engineer, Toshio Asahi, reveals to Carsguide from Japan. "At that early stage of development it became clear that space, refinement and comfort were the priority. But I also knew that dynamic performance needed some attention. To achieve this we engineered a new longer, wider, lower and more-rigid platform - then designed the suspension systems from this solid base." It's a very different approach to the earlier ES models, which were set as price leaders in Australia. Just over 7000 cars were sold here before the ES was withdrawn in 2006, with 2800 still in known active service. But the car was very similar to the Jaguar X-Type - a re-badged and re-bodied Ford Mondeo - with a loyal group of older owners but few converts. Lexus Australia lobbied hard to ensure it gets the new ES, driving the right-hand drive program, and also a petrol starter car that's more suitable for luxury buyers than the hybrid CT200h or sporty IS. That points to a price point beyond either the CT or IS, most likely starting beyond $60,000. "ES will target a very different customer . . . in that ES customers prioritise space, comfort and quietness over driving dynamics," says Asahi. He says a lot of work went into the new ES, just as Lexus has reinvented both the mid-sized GS and compact IS over the past three years to give them more impact and driving enjoyment. "As for the exterior design . . . it leverages L-finesse design with spindle grille that delivers a resolute look that is distinctive, sporty and elegance. For its interior, ES aims to achieve advanced design incorporating Lexus Remote Touch, while also offering many luxury accents such as wood grain ornaments and leather seats." "As for driving dynamics, we focused on the improvement of driving comfort, straight-running stability at high speed, while further improving ES’ high levels of quietness." He says the showroom position of the ES is unchanged despite the improved chassis, with the emphasis on luxury. "When ES was first launched it was called the compact LS, offering many of the features and traits of our flagship vehicle in a smaller body – today that is no different," Asahi says. "Even though it is an entry luxury sedan . . . interior space is comparable to S Class and ride comfort and NVH are key selling points for this vehicle." News from Japan on the ES comes as Lexus Australia confirms three new models, with the ES 300h and ES 350 opening the action in late 2013, ahead of the GS 300h hybrid in early 2014. “The return of ES to Australia is a direct result of continued customer demand and we are pleased to have secured not one but two options for them while simultaneously expanding our innovative hybrid vehicle portfolio," says the chief executive of Lexus Australia, Sean Hanley. This reporter is on Twitter: @paulwardgover  

It's the bedrock of Toyota Australia's manufacturing plan downunder for at least the next five years and goes on sale in November following a global reveal - including Melbourne - this morning. The seventh-generation Camry is typical of every car that's worn the badge, with safe and conservative looks designed not to offend the buyers in more than 100 countries who will be driving it. It's a little edgier than the current Camry but the real improvements are promised in everything from cabin space and quietness to fuel economy and emissions. Biggest news for Australia is a new Camry model - the Atara, which means crown in Jewish and future in Japanese - with a bit more funk thanks to a twin-pipe exhaust and other improvements that were not discussed today. Also still private today are likely pricing, exact production numbers and the planned export program for the car. But Toyota Australia is confident the new Camry will be good enough to boost output at is Altona factory back over 100,000 cars in 2012. That's still short of the all-time record of 126,000 but a major improvement over the 88,000 production forecast for this year. "We're about to open a new chapter in the history of Toyota. It's a car that does everything better," trumpets Toyota Australia's head of sales and marketing, Dave Buttner. "We've invested heavily. It is a symbol of Toyota." Camry has been built in Australia for the past 24 years and it has been the country's favourite medium-sized car for the past 17 years.  Total production has now topped 1.2 million cars and more than 850,000 of those have been shipped overseas. Buttner says the launch timing for the new Camry is November for the four-cylinder model, the first quarter of 2012 for the Camry hybrid and the second quarter for the V6-powered Aurion. All cars will use engines imported from Japan until a $300 million overhaul of the company's engine factory in Melbourne is complete in the third quarter of next year. The unveiling today reveals a car with all-new sheetmetal but Toyota Australia is not revealing the car's cabin, which it says has differences from the American interior which is already public. "There are certain features we would like to leave up our sleeves to excite and titillate you," says Buttner.

TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID, from $36,990 ...and for politics, with some of our 'greenmarked' taxes at least going back into Australian jobs. The donor Camry has been here for four years, and the hybrid version has been on sale overseas for about the same time, so that experience and the hybrid system largely borrowed from the third-generation Prius adds the assurance of dependability. Still, there are other - and similarly-sized - cars with similar economy and a far more engaging look and feel. Toyota Camry hybrid: review

The 66TDI Comfortline, priced from $22,350 (over the $19,850 CCOTY-winning petrol 77TSI Comfortline) saw off a strong challenge from Toyota's Camry Hybrid to seal a remarkable double for a brand whose Golf 118TSI won the 2009 CCOTY.The small South African-made hatchback got home with 31 points over the $36,990 Camry sedan, the first petrol-electric hybrid made in Australia, which scored 28.  The other challengers were both Holdens: the Korean-made Barina Spark city car, and the Commodore E85.Four of the Best Green Car's nine judges posted the Polo as their first choice, ensuring the narrow win.Judges were asked to consider the following these criteria:- Fuel consumption- Type of fuel and cost/availability- CO2 emissions- Impact on gross emissions (i.e. the net reduction in CO2 balanced against the expected sales of the vehicle)- Value of car- Safety of car- Technology of car- Function (including achievement of intended use, handling, performance)Aside from being the most frugal car in terms of fuel consumption, the Polo was felt by most to best satisfy all these stiff requirements.  Running VW's newest small capacity turbo diesel, the 1.6 TDI puts out 66kW (as its model name conveys) and an extremely useful 230Nm from 1750-2500 rpm. This low down torque gives the little hatch the assertive punch of a bigger engine and enables economical cruising.The five speed manual version uses as little as 4.0 litres per 100km in open road conditions and 5.8 in the city for a hybrid-challenging 4.7 litres in combined use.  The optional seven speed DSG adds $2500 to the purchase price, reduces combined fuel use to 4.6 litres while adding the convenience of an automatic transmission.Equally important in the context of the Best Green Car, the Polo TDI's emissions are a low 124 grams of Co2 per kilometre, 121 with DSG.  While priced above the most cars of its class, the new Polo has greater technical sophistication and badge desirability, while in terms of function it is almost as roomy as a Mark IV Golf of the 1990s.As a driving experience, it's shaded by its petrol sibling, which also runs only a little less lean at 5.5L/100km, but the TDI runs on diesel rather than comparatively expensive premium unleaded petrol and its 45-litre tank will require less frequent refilling.Judge Neil Dowling sees it was a "case of proven diesel technology fighting upstarts with hybrid power," noting that the Polo has a "particulate filter to get hydrocarbon emissions right down".Says Stuart Martin: "Volkswagen's new Polo might not be the cheapest contender in the Best Green Car field but experience says it's a first-rate package - the diesel engine's numbers are tough to ignore."Karla Pincott goes further: "The little VW shows that you don't have to sacrifice style, safety - or even driving dynamics - on the altar of greener fuel figures."But it was a near-run thing.  The Camry Hybrid found favour with guest judge, former rally ace and safety advocate, Ed Ordynski, who approves its combination of "remarkable fuel efficiency with strong performance, outstanding refinement and high safety levels and that efficiency gets better, the heavier the heavier the traffic".Carsguide managing editor Ged Bulmer was: "pleasantly surprised," by the Camry Hybrid, which is "better balanced, more sure-footed and a superior drive to its non-hybrid siblings"."As the first Australian-built hybrid it also represents an important dawn for local manufacturing of a technology that will only going to become more widespread," Bulmer says.Not that the others found no favour, Mark Hinchliffe saying the $12,490 Barina Spark is "the right frugal car for our times" and a "complete package with safety features such as six airbags and keen pricing".

Marcos Ambrose improved 22 positions in his latest Sprint Cup start in the USA, finishing 15th after starting 37th at the high-speed Michigan International Speedway. His Toyota Camry faded again at the end of the race, after he ran as high as fifth, as Kevin Harvick won the Nascar round for Chevrolet.Ben Barker is the new leader in the Australian Formula 3 championship after two wins from three starts on the Shannons Nationals program at Morgan Park in Queensland last weekend. At the same event,Matt Kingsley stretched his advantage in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge with his ninth straight win, while James Sera cut Darren Hossack's points lead in the Australian Sports Sedan championship after his rival blew an engine in his Audi and failed to score.The new-look Holden Commodore, the VEII, will hit the track at Phillip Island at the end of September. The body changes on the new model - which are relatively minor - will be reflected in the V8 Supercsr to be raced by the Holden Racing Team, TeamVodafone and Paul Morris Motorsport.A hospital visit has put Jason Crump back on track in the World Speedway Championship. The Australia flat-track racer had a damaged arm repaired three weeks ago and bounced back with second place at his latest event, the Scandinavian Speedway Grand Prix in Sweden.Bruce Garland and Harry Suzuki took a hard-fought second place in the Asia Cross-Country Rally in Thailand after a massive struggle against rivals and the weather.The Isuzu D-Max crew were denied a final shot at victory because of flooding on the course but are still happy with the result as they prepare for the Australian Safari in Western Australia from September 17 and then the Dakar Rally in Argentina and Chile in January, 2011.A lack of support and time has forced the postponement of the CAMS CARnival event planning for the first week of October. The Euchua-Moama based event, intended as a celebration of all areas of motorsport and motoring, will now be run in the second half of 2011.

Any company chasing sales success has to have their cabin quality right to win people in the 'gee whizz' moment when they first drop into the driver's seat.Toyota Australia learned all about this in the early months of its Camry export program to the Middle East.  None of its customers was remotely interested in a test drive, they just wanted to look and touch and smell to see if the Camry was good enough. And it failed . . .The Camry project was teetering on the edge until Toyota set up a pair of major-league rectification stations, one in Singapore and one in the Middle East, while it tracked and fixed the source of the complaints at its production line at Altona. Cars were rolled off in Singapore and tweaked by one team, then given a final once-over and update just before heading to local showrooms in the Middle East.The quality commitment worked, thankfully, and the success of today's Camry is largely down to the number exported from Melbourne to the Middle East.  I am reminded of this cabin quality contest as I jumped into the latest Grand Cherokee from Jeep, a brand which has plenty of room for improvement.Audi was the first to make a big deal about its cabins and quality - with classy design work, luscious materials and fabulous finishing - and it has paid off from the brand, as well as forcing its rivals to lift their game.  Audi is today's interior benchmark and it will stay in front for a long time.So, what about Jeep and Chrysler?  Several times I was involved in heated arguments with the American company's former design boss, Trevor Creed, about the sub-standard finishing at his brand. Creed used every excuse in the book, from sub- standard suppliers to the cost of parts and even a need to keep a rugged look at Jeep.It was, of course, all rubbish.  The Grand Cherokee of 2010 proves it, and sets a new direction for Chrysler, because the cabin is classy, creak-free and well finished. It's not an Audi but it is way, way better than anything which has worn a Jeep, Dodge or Chrysler badge in the past.  So Chrysler is on the right road for inside-out success, just like every other brand - from the fast-improving Hyundai to Rolls-Royce at the top end - that knows you only get one chance to make a first impression.Follow Paul Gover on Twitter!

After leading the world on so many fronts - from quality to comfort and reliability - they have been hit badly by the global financial crisis.  Toyota and Honda and many of the others wound back dramatically at the onset of the GFC, not just on their production lines but also in their motorsport programs - F1 was the first casualty - and new-product development.We are now seeing the results in Australian showrooms, where the Corolla and Civic are now mid-pack in the small-car class and former pacesetters including the Mazda6, Honda Accord Euro and even the locally-made Camry are struggling against newer and better rivals.  They are fine for everyday transport, but not as impressive as they were just five years ago.Subaru has also cut costs and its latest styling work - particularly on the Liberty and Outback - reflects a desperate desire to win sales in the USA.  Contrast all of them against the Suzuki Kizashi, which comes from one of the few Japanese brands that held its nerve through the GFT. Suzuki has cut its production targets, and admits that extra Kizashi models are on the back-burner, but is going to do brilliantly well with the car.Toyota and Honda, in contrast, are relying on value-added deals to keep customers coming in Australia. They are recovering from the economic downturn but nowhere near as rapidly as some of their rivals  - particularly Hyundai.In Australia, many of our Japanese cars are now also actually built in Thailand. It's not a major drama, because the quality is much the same, but it shows how the battle to cut costs is influencing the Japanese makers. The Thai drive also shows that Japan Incorporated is now happy to produce bland transport modules instead of appealing cars, going for numbers first - in showrooms and on the balance sheet. It's a reasonable response to the GFC but is going to cause problems in coming years.Why? Because Australia is seeing so many classy European cars at more affordable prices - look at the Volkswagen Polo - and because Korean is coming up fast.  Hyundai is now doing a better job than Toyota at building Toyota-style cars, with adventurous styling, classy quality and great prices. It's latest, the i45 replacement for the dowdy Sonata, is really good on every front except its awful steering and lacklustre front suspension.The i45 is a Camry done better and, like the Kizashi, one of the stars of 2010. And it's not the end for Hyundai, which has all sorts of new models coming from the baby i20 to an overdue sporty car sometime in 2012.And that's whan the Japanese really could be in trouble. It's not because Hyundai has something new but because the Japanese wound their development programs back during the GFT and the results of that conservative risk management will not really be known until we see - or don't see - the work which should have been done over the past two years.Follow Paul Gover on Twitter!

A Mustang is a wild brumby in the USA but also one of the all-time best muscle cars; the LandCruiser does just what the name says, even if the land is the worst of the Australian outback; and the Enzo is a tribute to the man who founded the world's best-know supercar company, Ferrari.But the name game can go badly wrong.  The Nissan Cedric was never going to be a hit in Australia with a name that creates a picture of an aging uncle Arthur in a cardigan, Taurus is tough in the USA but was always going to flop against the Falcon, and the Skoda Roomster has just been dumped after failing to find a home down under.Holden was careful to avoid the VD in its Commodore line, but why did it start with the VB and not the VA? And what about the Statesman, which went well as the WB but was never updated into the WC?  Just this week I was following a Citroen Jumpy delivery fan in Portugal, and wondering if the name was a reflection of the driver's behaviour or the way it runs on the road.The craziness goes on and on, like the Citroen Picasso people mover which is anything but an oil painting.  Today's showrooms also have cars whose names have more numbers and letters than a cryptic crossword, with just as much meaning. Who really knows the difference between an A7 and a C350?But head back in history and there are some absolute clangers.  Henry Ford named the 1950s Edsel after his son, but is now recorded as one of the biggest flops in blue-oval history.  Japan has given us everything from the Daihatsu Rocky and Rugger to the Honda Ascot and Acty Crawler and on through the Isuzu Big Horn to the Subaru Justy.Nissan created the Tiida name from nothing, even though it claims it has something to do with waves breaking on a beach, and Lexus is even a made-up brand name, in contrast to Mercedes which was named after an early Daimler customer's daughter.  Over in America, the AMC Gremlin was a flop, the Dodge Neon never went up in lights, Plymouth Reliant never lived up to its promise, and the Lincoln Town Car was so big it needed its own postcode.Even some of the names which have worked create more questions than answers about their creation.  The Kia Mentor is more likely to need one, the Honda Jazz is not much of a music machine and the Suzuki Cappucino was too frothy to sell in Australia.Some names also paint a picture because of their history.  Mention Celica and lots of people in Australia think hairdresser.  Ask about the Nissan GT-R and you'll hear about Godzilla.Camry is shorthand for fridge-on-wheels, Kingswood is classic sixties kitsch, and then there is the Goggomobil.  So, what's causing a Rukus today? The Toyota Rukus, for a start.We could also get the Nissan Cube, which is as boxy as its name, although Nissan Australia is also pushing for a return of the Pulsar badge which worked so well before the silly switch to Tiida.  Right now we have the Skoda Superb in Australian showrooms. If that's not a name which creates a serious expectation then we don't know our Falcodores.When Toyota was looking for a new name for a mid-sized car alongside the Camry it thought it had the ideal choice. It settled on Centaur - the mythical man-horse - because it sounded tough.  But no-one at Toyota Australia had taken into account a nasty incident in World War II during the battle for the Pacific.A hospital ship called the Centaur was sailing towards Brisbane when it was torpedoed and sunk by a Japanese submarine. The idea of a Toyota Centaur sunk even faster.  The Centaur badges were crushed, all the paperwork was changed and so was the advertising. The Centaur quickly became the Avalon for Australia.  How do we know? Carsguide made the call to Toyota to warn about the problem. Japanese cars have always led the way in the silly-names race.  How about the Mazda Bongy Brawny? No, not the name for an off-road tough SUV, it was the badge on the back of a city delivery van with a 1.3-litre engine.Everyone has heard the story about the Mitsubishi Starion, and whether the company's sales team actually meant to call the turbo coupe the Stallion.  And then there is the Pajero. It's called the Montero in Spain, because Pajero is the word for something usually done alone in private.