Toyota Camry 2013 News

Toyota is aiming for another number one in Australia. But it's not the one you might think. Not content with its long-term top ranking for showroom sales, and the number one spot occupied by the Corolla in sales through to July 2013, it's now aiming for a number one song.Brand T is putting its marketing muscle behind the Huey Lewis song 'Hip to be Square', which is the backing track for its new Camry and Aurion commercial. The television spot is flooding the airwaves and Lewis is moving back up the ARIA charts, more than 25 years after it hit for the first time.There's a good chance the aging rocker could join his song in Australia if 'Hip to be Square' continues to chart, although Toyota is making no promises on backing a tour.But it is happy to have re-discovered its mojo and the same approach that made commercials with the Camry Chicken so successful in the 1980s."There is a wry humour, but also a connection with the customer. As you could imagine, it was a risky concept. We could have stuffed it up without trying too hard, but we didn't," the new sales and marketing boss at Toyota Australia, Tony Cramb, tells Carsguide.The idea behind the new television spot is to promote Toyota's locally-made cars by appealing to the people who need them most - families - but with a twist towards dads. There is even a shot that takes its direction from the 'Parenthood' movie."The thing I love is that there's a confidence in the ad. The creative came from Saatchi & Saatchi and it's inherently Australian.""There is a new spirit within Toyota. And I think it's driven by the product. There is an infectious spirit, and it's global. It's the direciton of the company, and the way we want to be."Cramb says the new direction comes right from the top, company chief Akio Toyoda, and is best reflected in the top selling 86 sports car. The cute coupe has just celebrated its first birthday with more than 6000 deliveries in Australia and a waiting list that's still up to six month.But Huey is focussed on the Camry and the news is all about boosting sales of the local hero at a time when the Ford Falcon is in critical decline and Toyota and Holden are fighting for survival beyond 2016. "The ad celebrates local manufacturing. The song itself was chosen because it's so catchy and exciting and vibrant," says Cramb."But, at the same time, it appeals to people in that age group and in that stage of their life. If you think about the words, it resonates as well." He promises more fun from Australia's number one brand, but nothing arrogant."We're definitley not taking ourselves too seriously. You'll definitely see more of this sort of stuff," Cramb says.This reporter is on Twitter: @paulwardgover 

Stand-by for a short-term price war as car dealers panic sell to clear orders cancelled due to the Rudd Government’s controversial changes to Fringe Benefits Tax rules.“Thousands of cars here or on their way here have had their orders cancelled or postponed because of the sudden changes to FBT," said Richard Dudley, the CEO of the Australian Automobile Dealers Association.“There will be an initial glut of new cars but what happens depends on the outcome of the election. The government is not prepared to move on its FBT decision whereas the opposition says they will abolish the changes."As Ford Australia confirmed it is considering cutting production of the Falcon sedan and Territory SUV, its arch rival Holden issued an urgent bulletin to dealers offering new discounts across most of its model range.“Due to the uncertainty created by the recent announcement on FBT … Holden is offering an additional bonus over and above the current retail incentives”, the confidential bulletin obtained by News Corp said.All new Holdens except the Commodore have an extra $1000 slashed from their prices while the Colorado 4WD has an extra $2000 discount. It means the cheapest car in the Holden range, the Barina Spark, can be bought for $12,990 drive-away.Toyota is understood to be preparing to clear up to 1000 Camrys over the next two months because it is unable to cut production at short notice. The last time Toyota had to quit Camrys, prices dipped to $27,990 drive-away, about $5000 off RRP.Ford, which will end production in Australia in 2016, has foreshadowed further cutbacks. “We can confirm we are looking at what mean for our August production,” said Ford spokeswoman Sinead Phipps.Ford Australia has also put an immediate halt on its employee company-car program. “We’re not calling cars back, but we’re not issuing any new ones at this stage.”Manufacturers have stopped most company-car deliveries to their own staff because the new rules will increase their FBT bills by more than $50 million -- an estimated $20 million each for Toyota and Holden and about $15 million for Ford which has a smaller fleet.The car industry is yet to accurately measure the impact of the FBT changes on new-car sales because the data is compiled on the last day of the month.“It is too early to determine the impact of the FBT on sales after just 10 days, but we will likely see a slowdown in the next two months,” said Tony Weber, the chief executive of the Federal Chamber Automotive Industries. “Long term, if the FBT changes are not reversed, we expect to see a reduction in new-car sales of at least 10 per cent.”Industry estimates say a 10 per cent drop in new-car sales would wipe $1.3 billion in GST revenue a year. When the Rudd Government announced the changes to company car tax rules it forecast a contribution of $1.8 billion towards the axing of the carbon tax.State governments would also miss out on an estimated $100 million in stamp duty revenue from new-car sales and about $50 million in registration fees each year.Luxury car buyers will also be able to grab a bargain. BMW took out advertisements in daily press during the week advising customers against novated leasing because under the new circumstances “a novated lease may no longer be the most suitable way” to buy a new car.Mercedes-Benz is understood to have a surplus of about 400 of its most affordable sedan, the C-Class, which is Australia’s second-biggest selling medium-sized car after the Toyota Camry.This reporter is on Twitter: @JoshuaDowling 

The $19,990 bottom line for the upcoming Nissan Pulsar is exactly the same showroom sticker the car wore in 1996. If you think about inflation through that time - if you need a reminder, just take a look at the pump numbers rolling around the next time you're at the bowser - and all the extra equipment that now runs to standard aircon, electric windows and the rest, that's a mighty fine bottom line.But the same time hasn't been as kind to Australia's local carmakers. Ford, Holden and Toyota have all been badly hit by sagging demand for their local heroes, raising doubts about the same fatal flaws that forced Nissan and Mitsubishi to close their local operations.There have already been significant job losses during 2012, with Ford and Holden only committed to their production lines until the end of 2016 and Toyota also looking for a better business plan beyond the life of the current Aurion and Camry.There is a lot of backroom work going into cementing a future for the local makers and, even more importantly, the component makers who rely on them to provide the business foundations that keep thousands of people in jobs and new technology flowing into Australia. Holden chief Mike Devereux went public - again - with his concerns this week.It's easy to think that he's just rattling the begging bowl again and that the cash cow in Canberra has been milked dry by an industry that does not deserve to survive. Why should we be paying giant subsidies to an inefficient industry? But I know, after talking to Devereux's opposite numbers at Ford and Toyota, that his concerns are real. If these companies are going to remain in Australia for the long term, their parents in the USA and Japan expect co-investment cheques from the government.After all, do we really think that Thailand became the assembly line for Asia - with factories churning out Toyotas and Fords, Nissans and Hondas and Holdens - without significant government support? Devereux is calling for both sides of Federal politics to declare their policy for the motor industry so voters can consider their position ahead of next years election."I believe 2013 will be the year that Australian decides whether it wants an auto industry or not," Devereux says bluntly. "I just want to sell cars, I don't want to be part of the political debate in this country. "(But) I need to understand very clearly, in a forward looking sense, what each party's policy is on auto manufacturing. Are they committed to making things in this country?"All the numbers say that manufacturing cars makes no sense. But if we send Ford, Holden and Toyota packing by refusing to support their businesses, Australia looks more and more like nothing more than a giant hole in the ground that's only good for supplying raw materials to China. Where, incidentally, they're preparing the next wave of cheap imported cars for Australia. 

...the Camry Atara R. Based on the Camry Altise, it adds more than $3000 worth of equipment and features, many of which were only previously available in the more expensive Atara models. Obviously aimed at tackling the soon to be released all-new Mazda6, the Camry Atara R has a sportier look than the standard Camry thanks to the use of a front sports bumper and grille, sports side skirts and a dual exhaust diffuser. It has 17-inch alloy wheels in place of the 16-inch, as well as front foglamps. Special-edition badges let others know you’re not in just any Toyota Camry. Inside, the Camry Atara R has a premium three-spoke steering wheel with audio controls, a 6.1-inch screen display audio and reversing camera with fixed guidelines. It features a trip computer and eco indicator, and six-speaker audio including auxiliary and USB input with iPod connectivity. Camry Atara R special edition is offered in a choice of exterior colours: Diamond White, Silver Pearl, Graphite, Eclipse Black, Wildfire, Magnetic Bronze, and Reflex Blue. This Camry is well equipped in the safety field, with seven airbags, vehicle stability control and traction control. All versions of the Toyota Camry were tailored to suit Australian driving conditions and the tastes of Aussie drivers from very early in the design stage. The windscreen pillars have been slimmed down and no longer hinder the front-three-quarter vision to the extent they did before. The front seats are spacious and provide good support. There’s plenty of knee-room and head space is better than average for this class. Seating is set up to provide good width for two occupants in back seats that are semi-individual in their shaping. The area between them is left for occasional use by adults or a child seat. An all-new 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine was developed for the latest Toyota Camry prior to its 2011 introduction. It’s mated to a six-speed automatic transmission for the first time. This powertrain provides strong torque across a wide range and fuel consumption and CO2 emissions have been reduced by around 10 per cent from those of previous models. Toyota Camry is generally smooth and quiet, though rough roads may result in a firmer ride than some owners will like. As always, check for yourself by road testing a car before buying. Camry Atara R special edition is priced at a very reasonable $31,820, plus on-road costs. Toyota Camry has the impressive record of being the number one seller in its segment in Australia for the past 18 years. This latest special edition seems sure to help it continue to remain in front for a long time to come.  

The Atara R is based on the entry level Camry Altise, but throws in $3000 worth of goodies for $1330 more.  Additions include a wheel upgrade from 16-in to 17-in alloys (with a full-sized spare in the boot), front foglights, body kit and special edition badging. The cabin gets a premium three-spoke multifunction steering wheel and a 6.1-in screen for the audio system and reversing camera.  Standard equipment includes seven airbags (including driver's knee airbag), vehicle stability control and traction control, trip computer and eco indicator, and six-speaker audio with auxiliary/USB/iPod connectivity. A twin exhaust system has been fitted to add 2kW extra power, giving it 135kW to go with the 231Nm of torque from the 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering the outputs to the front wheels via a five-speed automatic gearbox. Toyota will build 2500 of the Atara R, finishing the run at the end of December.  

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.

Australia's first hybrid, a petrol-electric Camry, is set for production in 2010 and work is nearly finished on the extra assembly stations at Altona. But, before the Camry hybrid, Toyota also has a minor tweak for the Camry and Aurion in the third quarter of this year. It's mostly about improved efficiency and value, but there will be changes to the front and rear bodywork. Toyota Thailand gave a hint on the new direction when it unveiled its version of the Camry hybrid last week, although the headlight and tail lamp treatments are sharper and more edgy than the Australian car. The local Camry will get new-style headlamps, most likely projector beams, and will have a new type of tail lamp cluster produced on an all-new production line at Hella Australia in Mentone. The facelift design work has been done at Toyota Style Australia under the direction of Paul Beranger and should be more acceptable to Australian tastes. But Toyota Australia refuses to make any comment on the upcoming updates, or the exact timing of the hybrid Camry. "Yes, there will be an update to the Camry and Aurion this year. But you will have to wait to see what we have," says Toyota spokesman, Mike Breen.