Toyota Australia begins production of the new-look Camry, the last model to be built at its Altona manufacturing plant as the automaker begins what is being called the long goodbye to local vehicle production.
Having built more than 3.2 million Toyota vehicles locally since 1963, it marks the end of an era in the Australian automotive industry. Toyota will halt local production at the end of 2017, following exits by Ford and General Motors.
Toyota Australia President Dave Buttner says the plant’s last car is the automaker’s biggest-ever midcycle update.
“Although this will be the last car we build in Australia, we have vowed that it will be the best,” he says at a plant ceremony. “That means we are aiming to achieve the best safety, quality and efficiency results when compared to other Camry manufacturing plants around the world.
“I have no doubt that this will be our best ever vehicle and will leave a long-lasting legacy of our time as a vehicle manufacturer in Australia.”
Total local investment in the new-look Camry is A$108 million ($85.9 million), which includes A$23.6 million ($18.7 million) from the federal government and a contribution from the Victorian state government.
Toyota expects to build about 90,000 vehicles this year, which equates to about 420 units a day. Local pricing and vehicle specifications will be released when the new Camry goes on sale in mid-May.
About 70% of Camry production will be exported to the Middle East, New Zealand, the South Pacific Islands and, for the first time, Thailand.
About 2,600 of Toyota Australia’s 3,900 employees will lose their jobs when manufacturing ends.
Federal Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane, whose government is presiding over the end of vehicle manufacturing in the country, attended the line ceremony and congratulated Toyota Australia’s workforce and management for the innovation and expertise it invested in the updated Camry.
“While manufacturing is undergoing a major transition as the three car-makers wind down production, there can be no doubt that Australia’s automotive skills base is world-class, as is evidenced here today,” he says.
“We are working closely with the local automotive industry to translate those skills into new sectors and new advanced manufacturing opportunities, including through closer connections between Australian industry and Australian research.”
