Camry Hybrids Mark End of Toyota’s Oz Production

Toyota is winding down Australian production with a special build of just 54 hybrid commemorative Camrys – one for each year of local manufacturing.

The commemorative edition of the Camry, based on the Atara SL sedan, is intended to recognize its impact on local and export markets as well as the hybrid’s position as the most technically advanced car mass-produced Down Under.

An all-new, 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.

In all, more than 2.1 million Camry vehicles were built in Australia, the highest volume for any Toyota model produced there. Of this total, 1.2 million cars were exported, more than any other vehicle produced by the Australian automotive industry.

The Camry is in its 24th consecutive year as Australia’s best-selling midsize car, a run that began in 1994.

Toyota Australia President Dave Buttner says the special version of the last Camry is a poignant reminder of six Camry generations built at Port Melbourne and then Altona.

“One of the 54 commemorative Camrys will be kept by Toyota Australia and another sent for display at the TMC Museum in Japan,” Buttner says in a statement.

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 A$41,150 ($32,906) is a premium of just A$710 ($569) over the standard hybrid Camry Atara SL.

The Camry’s hybrid powertrain develops maximum power of 202 hp from the combination of its 2.5L 4-cyl. gasoline engine, 141-hp electric-drive motor and electronic continuously variable transmission. Its fuel economy is rated at 45.2 mpg (5.2 L/100km).