Toyota is marking its proud history of manufacturing cars in Australia by releasing a commemorative edition of its most significant locally built model, Camry.
Just 54 of the special hybrid, based on the Camry Atara SL sedan, are being produced – one for each year that Toyota cars have been built in Australia.
Camry was nominated for the honour because of its significant impact on local and export markets as well as the hybrid’s position as the most technically advanced car mass-produced in this country.
An all-new, fully imported eighth-generation Camry will continue the nameplate in Australia.
Toyota cars have been built in Australia since 1963, starting with the Tiara, followed by popular nameplates such as Corolla, Crown and Corona.
Local employees have built more than 2.1 million Camry vehicles – the highest volume for any Toyota model produced in this country.
Of this total, a remarkable 1.2 million cars have been exported – more than any other vehicle produced by the Australian automotive industry.
Camry is now in its 24th consecutive year as Australia’s best-selling mid-size car – an unbroken run that began in 1994.
Toyota Australia President Dave Buttner said the special version of the last Camry is a poignant reminder of six Camry generations built at Port Melbourne and then Altona, and the commitment to the last LM car being the best LM car.
“One of the 54 Commemorative Camrys will be kept by Toyota Australia and another sent for display at the TMC Museum in Japan, confirming our parent company’s high regard for the employee commitment, local engineering input and quality achieved in 54 years of local manufacture.”
For the commemorative edition, Toyota specifically chose as a base the hybrid Camry Atara SL – the top-grade- as the most sophisticated version of Australia’s most technically advanced mass-production car.
The signature cars will be distinguished by their combination of metallic silver paint and a black roof – the only Camry sedans ever built in Australia with this feature.
Other special features include a sporty red garnish along the lower lip of the grille, blue illumination in the footwell and for the Camry-branded scuff plates, a sports mesh interior, plus commemorative edition floor mats and badge.
The recommended retail price of $41,150# is just $710 more than for the standard hybrid Camry Atara SL.
Camry’s hybrid powertrain develops maximum power of 151kW from the combination of its 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, 105kW electric drive motor and electronic continuously variable transmission.
Its fuel economy is rated at just 5.2 litres/100km – an exceptional figure for a large sedan with the level of power available.
Every Camry has a five-star safety rating with standard fitment of seven airbags, reversing camera, vehicle stability and traction control, and anti-skid brakes with brake assist and electronic brake-force distribution.
The Commemorative Edition Camry is also equipped with a pre-collision safety system that includes autonomous braking, active cruise control, automatic high beam, lane departure alert and rear cross-traffic alert.
Other standard features include premium satellite navigation with SUNA traffic updates, JBL audio, leather-accented seats, ISOFIX attachment points for child safety seats, front and rear corner parking sensors and a wireless phone charger.
The Camry commemorative edition is covered by Toyota Service Advantage with up to five standard scheduled services at $140 each during the first four years or 75,000km (whichever occurs first).
Source: Toyota
