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.
Nikkei does not quote an anticipated local-versus-export consumption ratio for the hybrid vehicles produced Down Under.
Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is in Japan for talks this week.
With an increasing spotlight on the government's $500m Green Car Innovation Fund (established to encourage local development of environmentally-friendly vehicles), industry observers are suggesting an announcement involving Toyota is imminent.
Any announcement is likely to include a pledge from the government to purchase locally hybrid vehicles, industry pundits say.
If made this week, the announcement will be within three weeks of GM Asia Pacific boss Nick Reilly confirming a hybrid Holden Commodore was likely to surface by 2010.
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