Toyota announced that it will begin the production of the Toyota Camry Hybrid in Australia and in Thailand. The Toyota Camry Hybrid will be built at the Altona Plant of Toyota Motor Corporation Australia Ltd. (TMCA), starting from early 2010, with an annual production target of 10,000 vehicles.
In Thailand the Toyota Camry Hybrid will enter production at the Toyota Motor Thailand Co., Ltd. (TMT), starting from 2009, with an annual production target of 9,000 vehicles.
Currently the Toyota Camry Hybrid is produced only in Japan and the United States.
Toyota Press Release:
Toyota to Produce Camry Hybrid in Australia
TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION (TMC) announced today at an Australian government-sponsored press conference in Nagoya, Japan, that it will begin producing the "Camry Hybrid" at the Altona Plant of Toyota Motor Corporation Australia Ltd. (TMCA), as part of an effort to further popularize hybrid vehicles worldwide.
"We decided to build the Camry Hybrid in Australia because Australians are keenly aware of environmental issues including global warming, and we are confident that the Camry Hybrid will be well received. Toyota intends to make further efforts toward popularizing hybrid vehicles", said TMC President Katsuaki Watanabe at the press conference attended by Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research Kim Carr, and Australian Ambassador to Japan Murray McLean. Also representing TMC were Executive Vice President Tokuichi Uranishi and Senior Managing Director Akira Okabe.
Production of the Camry Hybrid at the Altona Plant (in the State of Victoria in southeastern Australia) will commence in early 2010, with an annual production target of 10,000 vehicles.
After receiving TMC's decision officially today, Victorian Premier John Brumby will hold a press conference at the Altona Plant to be attended by TMCA President Masahide Yasuda.
Ever since the introduction in 1997 of the Toyota Prius—the world's first mass-produced
gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle—TMC has been making a concerted effort to promote and popularize hybrid technology, as part of its high-priority environmental-management policy.
Toyota aims to sell 1 million or more hybrid vehicles annually as early as possible in the 2010s and, taking market needs into consideration, is working to put in place an optimal hybrid vehicle production system worldwide.
Toyota Australia will begin manufacturing a hybrid Camry sedan at its Altona plant from the beginning of 2010.
Toyota Motor Corporation President Mr Katsuaki
Watanabe reported the decision to introduce hybrid manufacturing to Australia to the Honourable Kevin Rudd, MP, Prime Minister of Australia at a meeting in Nagoya, Japan earlier today.
Toyota Australia plans to produce 10,000 hybrid Camry vehicles each year for the domestic market. This will add to the existing four-cylinder Camry and six-cylinder Aurion vehicles produced at the Altona plant located in Melbourne's west.
The hybrid Camry is currently produced in Japan and the United States.
Toyota Australia President and CEO Mr Max Yasuda said he was delighted to have secured production of Australia's first local hybrid, believing that customers would welcome the introduction of an Australian hybrid Camry.
Toyota's decision is the culmination of an intensive study conducted during the past year which included discussions with the Federal and Victorian governments.
"We acknowledge that the Federal and Victorian governments have a strong desire to see new, environmentally friendly technologies introduced to Australia.
"Both governments continue to provide strong support to the Australian automotive industry and can share in this historic announcement which is positive for Toyota, local car manufacturing and the Australian community," Mr Yasuda said.
Toyota Australia is Australia's largest car manufacturer and market leader. This year, the company celebrated the production milestone of 2.5 million vehicles, and in 2007 exported a record 98,000 vehicles to more than 20 countries, mainly to the Middle East.
Toyota to Produce Camry Hybrid in Thailand
TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION (TMC) announced today that, as part of an effort to further popularize hybrid vehicles worldwide, it will begin producing the "Camry Hybrid" at Toyota Motor Thailand Co., Ltd. (TMT), TMC's vehicle production base in Thailand.
Production of the Camry Hybrid at TMT's Gateway Plant will commence in 2009, with an annual production target of 9,000 vehicles.
"Thailand is the first ASEAN country to build hybrid vehicles. As the Camry has received a warm welcome from Thai customers, we are sure these customers will be satisfied not only with the product but also with its environmental performance", said TMT President Mitsuhiro Sonoda at a joint press conference in Bangkok with Siam Toyota Manufacturing Co., Ltd., attended by Thai government officials.
Ever since the introduction in 1997 of the Toyota Prius—the world's first mass-produced gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle—TMC has actively been promoting and popularizing hybrid technology, as part of its high-priority environmental management policy.
Toyota aims to sell 1 million or more hybrid vehicles annually as early as possible in the 2010s and is working to establish a worldwide optimal hybrid vehicle production system that reflects market needs.
