Confirmed: Toyota Camry Hybrid Production To Start By Late 2009!

[JoeT]

Toyota To Make Hybrid Car In Melbourne

ninemsn
10 June 2008
www.ninemsn.com.au

Toyota will begin building a hybrid Camry at its Altona plant in Melbourne within 18 months, the car giant announced on Tuesday.

Toyota hopes to make 10,000 of the fuel-efficient cars each year in Australia and the Rudd government had offered the company a $35 million subsidy from its Green Car Fund.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, who was present at Toyota's Japanese headquarters in Nagoya for the announcement, said it was an important moment for the Australian car industry.

"We are delighted Toyota has decided to invest in the Australian car industry and build the hybrid Camry at Altona," he said.

The petrol-electric hybrid used one-third less petrol than a conventional car and would save the average motorist $1,000 a year in fuel costs.

Toyota president Katsuaki Watanabe said Australia had joined Japan and the United States as part of Toyota's hybrid family.

Mr Watanabe conceded the hybrid Camry would be more expensive than the regular model but suggested the $35 million subsidy might be used to keep the retail price down.

"It was only recently that we heard about the amount so we are not sure how we will use it," he said.

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Toyota To Announce Camry Hybrid?

CarPoint Editor
9 June 2008
www.carpoint.com.au

Speculation is rife Toyota is about to announce local hybrid production.

Media speculation in Australia and Japan is rife that Toyota will soon confirm local production of a hybrid model. The announcement could come as quickly as this week, say Japanese sources.

Japanese business publication Nikkei said Saturday (June 7) that Toyota would confirm parallel production of hybrid Camry models in Thailand and Australia. It says production in Thailand will begin later this year, with Toyota's Altona facility due to commence production in 2010.

According to Nikkei, the plants would build to an annual hybrid volume of around 10,000 units each.

News Toyota would commence local Camry Hybrid production surfaced earlier this year but were shot down by local Toyota execs. More recently it was suggested the petrol-electric midsized vehicles would make their debut locally, but as part of the next-generation Camry line-up, due in 2011 or 2012. Now, it seems the landmark move will take place within the existing Camry model's life and use established Altona plant infrastructure.

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Toyota Australia Hybrid Gains Momentum

James Stanford
6 March 2008
www.goauto.com.au

The push for a hybrid Toyota to be built in Australia has gained momentum with Victorian premier John Brumby and federal industry minister, Kim Carr, traveling to Japan to lobby the automotive giant.

Mr Brumby flew to Nagoya to visit Toyota a fortnight ago, while Mr Carr spent a day with the car-maker’s senior management last Thursday.

The new federal government has pledged a $500 million Green Car Innovation Fund, funding that could be made available for a hybrid powertrain project.

A spokeswoman for Senator Carr told The Australian that the meeting was “very productive” and that he had: “re-enforced the federal government’s enthusiasm for the motor vehicle industry.”

A Toyota Australia spokesman told GoAuto Mr Carr had made a “courtesy visit” to introduce himself to senior Toyota management.

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Toyota Threat On Tariffs

Marton Pettendy & James Stanford
30 October 2007
www.goauto.com.au

FCAI weighs in as Toyota claims Australian manufacturing is at stake.

Australia's peak automotive industry body has called for local car-makers to be compensated for the soaring Aussie dollar following last week’s warning from Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) that crippling exchange rates and future import tariff reductions could put the future of its Australian manufacturing operations in doubt.

Senior TMC executives on Thursday described the sustained double whammy of the Australian dollar trading at a 23-year high and the scheduled reduction in 2010 of the new-car import duty from 10 to five per cent, which makes local exports more expensive and imports cheaper respectively, as “a very serious problem”.

The office of South Australian premier Mike Rann this week confirmed that the state, which is home to Holden and Mitsubishi assembly plants and whose automotive industry is reported to have lost an estimated 7500 jobs in the past decade, has called on the federal government to retain the current tariff until at least 2015, when the existing federal motor industry subsidy plan expires.

Now the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) has weighed in on the call, to whichever party is in government beyond the November 24 federal election, to support the industry via a tariff freeze if the Australian dollar continues towards parity with the US dollar, as is expected.

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Local Hybrid Future Unclear

Mike Sinclair
30 October 2007
www.carpoint.com.au

The status of Toyota Australia's plans to build a hybrid Camry locally is unclear -- at best!

It wasn't so much Chinese as Japanese Whispers that were circulating through Toyota ranks and the halls of Tokyo Motor Show last week -- at least as far the Australian production of a hybrid Camry is concerned.

As reported late last week, senior Toyota officials all but killed the project -- and, indeed, cast doubts on Australian production as a whole (more here) -- when quizzed about the program by an eager Australian press corp.

In a time-limited audience with Toyota Motor Corporation, President, Katsuaki Watanabe, the Aussie media were told simply: "We are studying what we should do with that particular point [building a hybrid in Australia]. At this juncture I cannot say anything more precise than that."

Later Watanabe's number two, Executive Vice President Global Planning Operations, Tokuichi Uranishi, intimated the Australia dollar and the potential of lower import tariffs could threaten Toyota's long-term production plans Down Under. The senior exec, who is fluent in English, nevertheless made it clear it was his hope to introduce a hybrid Camry into the local market as soon as possible.

"Already we have the hybrid Camry in right-hand drive, mainly targeting Thailand, therefore I don't think it will take so long [to introduce the car to Australia].

Click here to continue article



Camry Hybrid Needs Government Boost, Says Toyota

Toby Hagon
27 October 2007
www.drive.com.au

Toyota's Japanese management is "seriously considering" an Australian-built petrol-electric Camry, but is seeking assistance from the Federal Government.

An economical, petrol-electric hybrid version of the Toyota Camry is on the wish list of Toyota’s global executives, although the company has called for assistance from the Federal Government.

Speaking at the 2007 Tokyo motor show, Toyota executives confirmed the company is considering adding a hybrid model to Toyota’s production line at Altona in Melbourne. But it would only be done if economic conditions were favourable.

In line with earlier comments from senior Toyota Australia executives, a hybrid version of the Camry would respond to concerns about fossil fuel use and carbon dioxide output by delivering a car that uses some 30 per cent less fuel.

“We are seriously thinking about the introduction of hybrid version, especially on the Camry,” says Toyota executive vice president, global planning operations, overseas, Tokuichi Uranishi.

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Car Chiefs Call For Freeze On Tariff

Joshua Dowling
27 October 2007
www.smh.com.au

A Senior Toyota executive has called for the import tariff on cars to be frozen at its current rate of 10 per cent, or risk crushing the Australian car manufacturing industry.

And the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries has called for an urgent review of the government assistance given to local makers.

Annual new-vehicle sales are expected to top the million mark for the first time this year. But most are imports. Ten years ago locally made cars accounted for almost half of all new vehicle sales. So far this year, cars produced locally by Holden, Ford, Toyota and Mitsubishi account for less than 20 per cent of total sales.

A decade ago, imported passenger cars attracted a 25 per cent tariff. Today the tariff is just 10 per cent and the Federal Government is looking to drop the import tariff on passenger cars to 5 per cent in 2010, in line with the tariff on four-wheel-drives.

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Dollar & Duties Key To Toyota's Future Down Under

Mike Sinclair
26 October 2007
www.carpoint.com.au

Toyota global planning chief says Australia's strong currency and import duty reductions are a "very serious problem..."

The soaring Australia dollar and the potential of lower import tariffs could threaten Toyota's long-term production plans Down Under.

That's the not altogether surprising news from the carmaking superpower's international head, Tokuichi Uranishi.

Uranishi, who leads Toyota's non-Japanese planning and production said last night in Tokyo that the strong Australian dollar and the scheduled 2010 reduction of new car import tariffs from 10 to five per cent were a "very serious problem" for the company's Australia production operations.

Speaking at Toyota's traditional press gathering at the close of the Tokyo Motor Show's press preview, Uranishi was grilled by the Australian motoring media on the likelihood of the carmaker building hybrid models in Australia. The Global Planning Chief's responses not only effectively ruled out a hybrid model being built locally, however, they also painted an altogether shakier picture -- even for the production of conventionally powered vehicles Down Under.

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Camry Hybrid ‘Possible’

James Stanford
17 October 2007
www.goauto.com.au

Toyota Australia continues to discuss the possibility of an Australian-built hybrid model, but says there are no firm plans for such a vehicle.

Commenting at the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney last week, Toyota Australia sales and marketing chief David Buttner said the company was looking at the possibility of a local hybrid.

“There are no definitive plans. We are pursuing possibilities (and) we will continue to pursue them,” he said.

“We think it would be of great benefit to have a locally manufactured hybrid here in Australia, but at this particular juncture there are no firm plans, just a lot of talking internally.”

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Toyota Plans Locally Built Hybrid

Glenn Butler
6 Febuary 2007
www.drive.com.au

Toyota Australia says it wants to build a petrol-electric version of its medium-size Camry sedan.

Australians could be driving locally produced hybrid cars by 2011 if Toyota gets the green light to equip its Camry medium sedan with a more economical petrol-electric drivetrain.

Toyota Australia has revealed it is in discussion with Toyota head office in Japan to put a hybrid version of the Camry on the agenda for the next-generation update, due in 2011.

"We'd like to [build] a Camry hybrid," Toyota Australia director of sales and marketing Dave Buttner told drive.com.au. "We see real potential for such a vehicle, particularly with government and fleet buyers."

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The Camry is shaping as Toyota's first Australian-made hybrid car

[DanCBJMS1988]

Here we go again!

[JoeT]

Camry Hybrid ‘Possible’

James Stanford
17 October 2007
www.goauto.com.au

Toyota Australia continues to discuss the possibility of an Australian-built hybrid model, but says there are no firm plans for such a vehicle.

Commenting at the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney last week, Toyota Australia sales and marketing chief David Buttner said the company was looking at the possibility of a local hybrid.

“There are no definitive plans. We are pursuing possibilities (and) we will continue to pursue them,” he said.

“We think it would be of great benefit to have a locally manufactured hybrid here in Australia, but at this particular juncture there are no firm plans, just a lot of talking internally.”

Click here to continue article

[mikmak]

If they are talking about maybe possibly thinking about discussing the chances of considering such a project, chances are it is already on the boil. 2011 isn't that far away and if they haven't said yes yet, it ain't gonna happen.

[JoeT]

Dollar & Duties Key To Toyota's Future Down Under

Mike Sinclair
26 October 2007
www.carpoint.com.au

Toyota global planning chief says Australia's strong currency and import duty reductions are a "very serious problem..."

The soaring Australia dollar and the potential of lower import tariffs could threaten Toyota's long-term production plans Down Under.

That's the not altogether surprising news from the carmaking superpower's international head, Tokuichi Uranishi.

Uranishi, who leads Toyota's non-Japanese planning and production said last night in Tokyo that the strong Australian dollar and the scheduled 2010 reduction of new car import tariffs from 10 to five per cent were a "very serious problem" for the company's Australia production operations.

Speaking at Toyota's traditional press gathering at the close of the Tokyo Motor Show's press preview, Uranishi was grilled by the Australian motoring media on the likelihood of the carmaker building hybrid models in Australia. The Global Planning Chief's responses not only effectively ruled out a hybrid model being built locally, however, they also painted an altogether shakier picture -- even for the production of conventionally powered vehicles Down Under.

Click here to continue article

Next Generation Toyota Camry & Aurion Australian Production 'Locked & Loaded'
Holden & Toyota Exports Lifeline To Australian Car Industry?

[BBDOS CV8]

This is no surprise. I'm amazed that the locals have lasted so long. The only thing that probably sustained them through the 80's and 90's was the recession and the extended low value of the dollar, which made import costs high.

Now we have the situation, coupled with the reduction in tariffs and removal of effective 25% sales tax due to GST, where the price of new cars falls rather than rises as new models are intro'd, or the new model comes in with higher content at the same price.

Poor old Mitsu is down to dozens per day. If they go, that is less business for local auto parts suppliers. Ford is probably on shakier ground than Holden, but they're both at risk. It would be so easy for their overseas counterparts to just say import cars rather than make 'em here. Their motors are or will be coming from OS. The Falcon would be being replaced by the Mondeo and the Commodore probably by the Vectra platform made god knows where.

Ford Oz was lucky the RHD Focus assembly fell into their laps because Dearborn want the South African plant for other stuff. But if any of a number of things happen, car sales stall elsewhere so there is pressure to increase Asian market sales, the $Oz keeps rising due to falling greenback, the Mondeo really bites into Falcon sales after Orion is released; then the heat is going to be on the Aussie locally-produced product. If large car sales are really waning longterm I see no future for locally made stuff. The whole industry is geared to producing Falcodore parts, at largecar costings.

An acquaintance of mine works in Bendigo Bank and she says the credit industry is quietly preparing itself to clamp down on high-risk loans and stop lending so freely or cheaply, which will have a flow-on to car sales from the bottom up. If people go back to keeping their old cars longer that will hurt the industry all around.

If one of the local models (even the 380) goes but especially the Camry/Aurion, Falcon or Commodore; the others will be gone so fast we'll be wondering if James Holden ever really existed.

[chinamonty]

I have a strange feeling that you are 100% correct. If one goes basically all will.
What I cant understand is that the Australian dollar is getting stronger against the USD 0.90 at the moment and the Yaun is being allowed to get stonger (now 7.48) but the Aussie dollar seem to be getting stronger again the Yuan. Three weeks ago 3000Yuan cost me 22Aussie dollars more than it cost yesterday. When you are talking 450 to 470AUD thats a significant amount.
I suspect the lady from The bendigo is spot on. Lending has to become tigher soon (especially here in China).

[ford&holden]

I guess the heavy focus on exports wasn't the saviour it once was. In some ways the local assemblers need to start focusing on what sells in the Australian market, large cars don't sell like they used to and i fear they will never return to their former glory.

[Ssom]

Wow this is all massive de ja vu, sounds a lot like the NZ Car industry in 1998. We'd already lost Mazda and Ford the previous year, the currency was strong(ish) and imports (Especially second hand ones) had flooded the market and reduced sales of locally made cars to mere pittance. The government gave up competing and removed tariffs altogether and with a month Toyota, Honda, Mitsubishi and Nissan were winding down production.

[MonaroSS]

Don't worry boys and girls, the Aussie dollar is going to tank in 2-3 years time. We and the Canadians and other big 'commodity' currencies have our money being worth more because there is a massive amount of hidden inflationary forces about to come home and roost. Specifically China and Japan had been collecting Western (mainly US) currencies and stockpiling them and other western financial paper like T-Bills on pallets in bank vaults. Hundreds of billions worth.

All the smart money knows that the hot booming world economies should normally have been inflationary but this has not occurred because usually the profiteers of such an economy (Asia - and specifically China) normally spend their newfound wealth. That spending means more money chases fewer world assets and drives up prices and that's what inflation is. But when people sit on massive stores of profits, as is the case here (the first time in history) it produces an artificially low inflationary state.

Of course the car salesmen of the financial word (talking heads on CNBC/Bloomberg) keep saying that there is low inflation because of increased productivity (they are trying to sell you something) – but that’s BS. The Chinese are no more productive than anyone else, they are just cheaper because they artificially peg the Yuan. Any lower inflation from lower prices for goods in say the US should just transfer to inflation in China, thus putting up the cost of Chinese goods. But again this hasn’t happened because of artificial meddling that is building up pressure behind a dam that will burst soon. Communist China may seem almost like a free market economy but that is far from the truth. They control it rigidly, and that’s when things go wrong in a big way.

As the dollar goes down, and the pegged Yuan with it, the cost of all China’s energy, coal, metal ore, and all the other raw materials they need to import to manufacture goods from, keeps getting more expensive. But China has been using its corporate savings to eat the cost of this pricing pressure, effectively damming its inflationary effects behind their massive savings. But they can’t keep doing it much longer.

Again the talking heads will tell you that all the world economies are booming, and so they assert that the troubles in the US will only be temporary as the world economies will keep roaring on – more BS. All the other economies are roaring because they are supply America – the world’s biggest consumer. And when the US slows then Chinese factories will have too much capacity and too much inventory and they will cut back their orders for raw materials like natural gas (from which you make plastic) and so energy prices and other commodities will drop and so too then will the economies in Russia, OZ, Canada, South Africa etc who will also cut purchases from China putting the brakes on even more. It’s like a line of cars in a fog and the first one brakes suddenly.

So then the Aussie dollar will go down again, as it should. It’s a natural cycle that’s been artificially tampered with and so this time ‘round it will all hurt a little bit more than usual.

[rueben44]

Originally Posted by MonaroSS

Don't worry boys and girls, the Aussie dollar is going to tank in 2-3 years time. We and the Canadians and other big 'commodity' currencies have our money being worth more because there is a massive amount of hidden inflationary forces about to come home and roost. Specifically China and Japan had been collecting Western (mainly US) currencies and stockpiling them and other western financial paper like T-Bills on pallets in bank vaults. Hundreds of billions worth.

All the smart money knows that the hot booming world economies should normally have been inflationary but this has not occurred because usually the profiteers of such an economy (Asia - and specifically China) normally spend their newfound wealth. That spending means more money chases fewer world assets and drives up prices and that's what inflation is. But when people sit on massive stores of profits, as is the case here (the first time in history) it produces an artificially low inflationary state.

Of course the car salesmen of the financial word (talking heads on CNBC/Bloomberg) keep saying that there is low inflation because of increased productivity (they are trying to sell you something) – but that’s BS. The Chinese are no more productive than anyone else, they are just cheaper because they artificially peg the Yuan. Any lower inflation from lower prices for goods in say the US should just transfer to inflation in China, thus putting up the cost of Chinese goods. But again this hasn’t happened because of artificial meddling that is building up pressure behind a dam that will burst soon. Communist China may seem almost like a free market economy but that is far from the truth. They control it rigidly, and that’s when things go wrong in a big way.

As the dollar goes down, and the pegged Yuan with it, the cost of all China’s energy, coal, metal ore, and all the other raw materials they need to import to manufacture goods from, keeps getting more expensive. But China has been using its corporate savings to eat the cost of this pricing pressure, effectively damming its inflationary effects behind their massive savings. But they can’t keep doing it much longer.

Again the talking heads will tell you that all the world economies are booming, and so they assert that the troubles in the US will only be temporary as the world economies will keep roaring on – more BS. All the other economies are roaring because they are supply America – the world’s biggest consumer. And when the US slows then Chinese factories will have too much capacity and too much inventory and they will cut back their orders for raw materials like natural gas (from which you make plastic) and so energy prices and other commodities will drop and so too then will the economies in Russia, OZ, Canada, South Africa etc who will also cut purchases from China putting the brakes on even more. It’s like a line of cars in a fog and the first one brakes suddenly.

So then the Aussie dollar will go down again, as it should. It’s a natural cycle that’s been artificially tampered with and so this time ‘round it will all hurt a little bit more than usual.

Very well said!!

[HoosierRon]

Here is my proposal: a 25% tax on imports. However, a company can import tax free the same number of vehicles that it exports from the country. For example, if GM exports 10,000 G8s, it would be allowed to import 10,000 Silverados tax free, and pay the import tax on all vehicles over 10,000.

[Havasavana]

Originally Posted by MonaroSS

Don't worry boys and girls, the Aussie dollar is going to tank in 2-3 years time. We and the Canadians and other big 'commodity' currencies have our money being worth more because there is a massive amount of hidden inflationary forces about to come home and roost. Specifically China and Japan had been collecting Western (mainly US) currencies and stockpiling them and other western financial paper like T-Bills on pallets in bank vaults. Hundreds of billions worth.

All the smart money knows that the hot booming world economies should normally have been inflationary but this has not occurred because usually the profiteers of such an economy (Asia - and specifically China) normally spend their newfound wealth. That spending means more money chases fewer world assets and drives up prices and that's what inflation is. But when people sit on massive stores of profits, as is the case here (the first time in history) it produces an artificially low inflationary state.

Of course the car salesmen of the financial word (talking heads on CNBC/Bloomberg) keep saying that there is low inflation because of increased productivity (they are trying to sell you something) – but that’s BS. The Chinese are no more productive than anyone else, they are just cheaper because they artificially peg the Yuan. Any lower inflation from lower prices for goods in say the US should just transfer to inflation in China, thus putting up the cost of Chinese goods. But again this hasn’t happened because of artificial meddling that is building up pressure behind a dam that will burst soon. Communist China may seem almost like a free market economy but that is far from the truth. They control it rigidly, and that’s when things go wrong in a big way.

As the dollar goes down, and the pegged Yuan with it, the cost of all China’s energy, coal, metal ore, and all the other raw materials they need to import to manufacture goods from, keeps getting more expensive. But China has been using its corporate savings to eat the cost of this pricing pressure, effectively damming its inflationary effects behind their massive savings. But they can’t keep doing it much longer.

Again the talking heads will tell you that all the world economies are booming, and so they assert that the troubles in the US will only be temporary as the world economies will keep roaring on – more BS. All the other economies are roaring because they are supply America – the world’s biggest consumer. And when the US slows then Chinese factories will have too much capacity and too much inventory and they will cut back their orders for raw materials like natural gas (from which you make plastic) and so energy prices and other commodities will drop and so too then will the economies in Russia, OZ, Canada, South Africa etc who will also cut purchases from China putting the brakes on even more. It’s like a line of cars in a fog and the first one brakes suddenly.

So then the Aussie dollar will go down again, as it should. It’s a natural cycle that’s been artificially tampered with and so this time ‘round it will all hurt a little bit more than usual.

Great post. Some things that are impossible to predict at the moment are the price and stability of sources of oil. If (when?) the US attacks Iran, what will that do to their oil production, and will the stability of other Mideast countries crumble? Russia is becoming more powerful in terms of their own production as well as influencing what happens to the reserves of oil and gas in the Caspian Sea area. I heard an interview yesterday with a guy who has a book out on the subject; he was WSJ bureau chief in that area for some period I think. His take is that the era of powerful Western oil companies is over; the power is shifting to the contries where the oil resides. If the past is an indicator, these countries will be run by thiefs will be hard to deal with and possibly unstable.

[JoeT]

Camry Hybrid Needs Government Boost, Says Toyota

Toby Hagon
27 October 2007
www.drive.com.au

Toyota's Japanese management is "seriously considering" an Australian-built petrol-electric Camry, but is seeking assistance from the Federal Government.

An economical, petrol-electric hybrid version of the Toyota Camry is on the wish list of Toyota’s global executives, although the company has called for assistance from the Federal Government.

Speaking at the 2007 Tokyo motor show, Toyota executives confirmed the company is considering adding a hybrid model to Toyota’s production line at Altona in Melbourne. But it would only be done if economic conditions were favourable.

In line with earlier comments from senior Toyota Australia executives, a hybrid version of the Camry would respond to concerns about fossil fuel use and carbon dioxide output by delivering a car that uses some 30 per cent less fuel.

“We are seriously thinking about the introduction of hybrid version, especially on the Camry,” says Toyota executive vice president, global planning operations, overseas, Tokuichi Uranishi.

Click here to continue article



Car Chiefs Call For Freeze On Tariff

Joshua Dowling
27 October 2007
www.smh.com.au

A Senior Toyota executive has called for the import tariff on cars to be frozen at its current rate of 10 per cent, or risk crushing the Australian car manufacturing industry.

And the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries has called for an urgent review of the government assistance given to local makers.

Annual new-vehicle sales are expected to top the million mark for the first time this year. But most are imports. Ten years ago locally made cars accounted for almost half of all new vehicle sales. So far this year, cars produced locally by Holden, Ford, Toyota and Mitsubishi account for less than 20 per cent of total sales.

A decade ago, imported passenger cars attracted a 25 per cent tariff. Today the tariff is just 10 per cent and the Federal Government is looking to drop the import tariff on passenger cars to 5 per cent in 2010, in line with the tariff on four-wheel-drives.

Click here to continue article

[JoeT]

Local Hybrid Future Unclear

Mike Sinclair
30 October 2007
www.carpoint.com.au

The status of Toyota Australia's plans to build a hybrid Camry locally is unclear -- at best!

It wasn't so much Chinese as Japanese Whispers that were circulating through Toyota ranks and the halls of Tokyo Motor Show last week -- at least as far the Australian production of a hybrid Camry is concerned.

As reported late last week, senior Toyota officials all but killed the project -- and, indeed, cast doubts on Australian production as a whole (more here) -- when quizzed about the program by an eager Australian press corp.

In a time-limited audience with Toyota Motor Corporation, President, Katsuaki Watanabe, the Aussie media were told simply: "We are studying what we should do with that particular point [building a hybrid in Australia]. At this juncture I cannot say anything more precise than that."

Later Watanabe's number two, Executive Vice President Global Planning Operations, Tokuichi Uranishi, intimated the Australia dollar and the potential of lower import tariffs could threaten Toyota's long-term production plans Down Under. The senior exec, who is fluent in English, nevertheless made it clear it was his hope to introduce a hybrid Camry into the local market as soon as possible.

"Already we have the hybrid Camry in right-hand drive, mainly targeting Thailand, therefore I don't think it will take so long [to introduce the car to Australia].

Click here to continue article