2004 Toyota Camry Press Kit

13 September 2004

1. Toyota Launches Newly Refreshed Camry Range
2. Toyota Adds New Model To Camry Range
3. Twelve Models In New Camry Range
4. Toyota Invests In Camry Success
5. Toyota Camry Recommended Retail Pricing*
6. Camry Is Largest Seller
7. Toyota Three Vehicle Strategy Works
8. Camry And Kluger Customers Are Younger
9. Toyota Major Sponsor Of Paralympic Games Team
10. Toyota Deepens Community And Sports Commitments
11. Camry Cracks The Locally Made Million
12. Toyota To Exceed 400,000 Exports By End ‘04
13. Toyota Link Has Specialised Hardware
14. Toyota Link Adds Safety And Security
15. G-Book Points To Future
16. Toyota Link Provides Insurance Benefit
17. Increased Feature Levels For Camry
18. New Front Mask For Refreshed Camry
19. Grande Has Unique Suspension Calibration
20. High-Tech Toyota Genuine Accessories Put Camry Owners Ahead Of The Game
21. Camry At The Leading Edge Of Technology
22. Seamless Change For New Camry
23. Toyota Pours Investment Into Camry
24. Automation Helps Improve Camry Production Efficiency
25. Toyota's New Home Leads The Way In Technology
26. Specifications (.XLS documents)

Toyota Launches Newly Refreshed Camry Range

Toyota has refreshed and upgraded its Camry range and launched its Toyota Link vehicle communication system.

The new 12-model Camry range has higher feature levels, increased value for money and a new luxury grade model.

The new Quad Cam V6 Grande model is one of two Camrys with Toyota Link fitted as standard equipment.

Toyota Link is an electronic communications system with a menu of safety, security and owner convenience functions.

It represents stage one of Toyota's local intelligent transport system development.

The Camry range upgrade includes a new luxury Grande model to join the sports Azura as twin top-of-the-range models in Camry's strategy of luxury and sports models.

Grande has a unique locally developed suspension calibration.

Azura and sales success story Sportivo have a new locally developed aero body kit (and retain their locally developed sports suspension calibration).

Camry's refreshed appearance also includes a new front mask and new rear treatment.

Feature levels have been raised across the board - for increased comfort and convenience.

Front seat-mounted side SRS airbags are now available on all models and are fitted as standard equipment on all Ateva grade, Sportivo V6, Azura and Grande.

All Camry models now have cruise control, air conditioning and vehicle alarm, and all V6 models have a power-operated driver's seat.

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Toyota Adds New Model To Camry Range

Toyota has expanded the Camry range with a new luxury model.

The new Camry V6 Grande is the top-of-the-range model in the Camry luxury stream - in parallel with top-of-the-range sports stream Azura.

Grande has a unique suspension calibration and a range of new features, including Toyota Link.

Grande's unique specification within the Camry range includes full-face leather seat trim, seven-spoke 16-inch alloy wheels, chrome exterior door handles, body colour and chrome-insert body side protection moulding, chrome exhaust diffuser and chrome surround radiator grille with chrome insert and chrome plus body colour rear garnish.

In addition, Grande shares three new features with newly refreshed Azura.

They are: Toyota Link, electro-chromatic interior mirror, power driver and front passenger seat control.

Grande's features also include dual front SRS airbags, front seat side SRS airbags, ABS, a new four-spoke leather steering wheel with audio controls, satellite navigation, power front seats, power-operated moonroof, overhead sunglass holder, 3-in-1 audio system with boot-mounted 6 CD multi changer and six speakers, rear sunshade, leather-bound gearshift lever and parking brake lever and interior woodgrain effect.

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Twelve Models In New Camry Range

Toyota's built-in-Australia Camry range now has 12 sedan models, with the choice of two all-alloy engines, two transmissions and five equipment grade levels.

The two engines are a 2.4 litre VVT-i equipped Twin Cam Multi-valve four-cylinder and Quad Cam Multi-valve 3.0 litre V6.

These engines are matched to a five-speed manual or electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission.

Camry 2.4 is offered in three equipment grades - Altise, Ateva and Sportivo.

Camry V6 is offered in five equipment grades - Altise, Ateva, Sportivo, Azura and new Grande.

There are five 2.4 litre models and seven V6 models.

The full model line-up is:

• Altise 2.4 manual and automatic

• Ateva 2.4 automatic

• Sportivo 2.4 manual and automatic

• Altise V6 manual and automatic

• Ateva V6 automatic

• Sportivo V6 manual and automatic

• Azura V6 automatic

• Grande V6 automatic

All models have, as standard equipment, a Global Outstanding Assessment (GOA) body, dual SRS airbags, four-wheel disc brakes, air conditioning with rear-seat cooler ducts, CD player, cruise control, power windows (front and rear), power mirrors, remote central locking with alarm and engine immobiliser, and a dedicated accessory power socket.

All V6 models have power-operated driver's seat and ABS brakes as standard equipment.

Ateva 2.4 and Ateva V6, Sportivo V6, Azura and Grande have front seat side-SRS airbags as standard equipment.

Top-of-the-range Azura and new Grande have Toyota Link and Satellite Navigation.

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Toyota Invests In Camry Success

Toyota has made specification and price adjustments to its Camry range as well as introducing a major price reduction and specification upgrade to its increasingly popular V6 Sportivo models.

The company has also built substantially more value into its luxury sports model, Azura.

A new model, the Camry Grande V6, has also been introduced.

The specification upgrade made to the Sportivo V6 model amounts to an increase in value of $2,080 over the superseded model in the five speed manual version and $1,080 on the automatic.

New recommended retail prices are $37,500* for the Sportivo manual - $1490 below thecurrent rrp, and $38,500* for the automatic - $490 below the current rrp.

Azura V6, a luxury sports model above Sportivo has been fitted with more than $1500 of additional specification including Toyota Link, and comes to market with a recommended retail price increase of just $110 at $49,100*.

The new Grande, complete with luxury suspension settings and also with Toyota Link as standard equipment, has a recommended retail price of $46,000*.

"The prices reflect the results of strong market research and will carry Camry well into 2005,“ Dave Buttner, Toyota's executive director sales and marketing, said.

Grande and Azura are both forerunners of Toyota's commitment to Toyota Link communication.

Grande has been introduced to offer buyers a luxury and softer riding alternative to the sharper edged Azura which is a logical up-market extension of the Sportivo line.

All other models have been given relatively small price increases in line with specification upgrades.

“Price increases are all about increased value and retaining Camry's integrity in the used vehicle market," Mr Buttner said.

Mr Buttner said the reduction in price of Sportivo was intended to encourage even more buyers to choose Camry's sports line.

“The introduction of a sports line has changed the face of Camry,” he said.

“It is now our intention to build on that success.”

RRP excludes dealer delivery and statutory charges.

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Toyota Camry Recommended Retail Pricing*

Altise 2.4 manual $27,500

Altise 2.4 automatic $29,000

Ateva 2.4 automatic $32,730

Sportivo 2.4 manual $31,500

Sportivo 2.4 automatic $32,500

Altise V6 manual $32,000

Altise V6 automatic $33,000

Ateva V6 automatic $37,120

Sportivo V6 manual $37,500

Sportivo V6 automatic $38,500

Grande V6 automatic $46,000

Azura V6 automatic $49,100

* recommended retail prices do not include dealer, delivery or statutory charges

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Camry Is Largest Seller

Toyota Camry is the most important model range in Toyota's three vehicle strategy.

Camry, Avalon and Kluger have been instrumental in a successful assault on the traditional large vehicle market. Toyota now heads a combined category which it defines as comprising medium and large passenger vehicles and SUVs.

Toyota leads the category with Camry and Avalon and its collection of all-wheel drives - Kluger, Prado, LandCruiser and RAV4.

Camry, year-to-date August 04, makes up 73.2 percent of Toyota's volume amongst the three vehicles, ahead of Kluger (15.2 per cent) and Avalon (11.6 per cent), according to motor industry statistician VFACTS.

"Each of the three vehicles is critical to the strategy because each appeals directly to a targeted customer base," Toyota executive director of sales and marketing Dave Buttner said.

“Market demands have been so precisely defined that there is minimal leakage between the models,” he said.

“Each supports the other in meeting the needs of the broader market.”

Toyota Camry four meets more than half of total demand in the medium passenger vehicle category with 50.3 per cent of all sales year-to-date August, ahead of Mazda6 (26.3 per cent) and Subaru Liberty (14.7 per cent).

In the large car market Camry six trails Holden Commodore 42.7 per cent and Ford Falcon 37.1 per cent.

However with 7.6 per cent of the segment Camry is now in third place ahead of Mitsubishi Magna, 7.5 per cent.

In the combined medium/large market Camry this year has increased share 1.7 percentage points to 16.7 per cent.

Commodore is the leading range in the segment on a reduced 33.7 per cent from Falcon, at 29.3 per cent and Camry 16.7 per cent.

Avalon is fifth in the large car segment with 3.6 per cent of all sales, a significant strategic holding.

Demand for vehicles in the large car segment is down 11.8 per cent - a disturbing drop, but in accordance with Toyota's expectation of a market realignment.

“Camry and Avalon have both fared very well,” Mr Buttner said.

“In year to date August ‘04 Camry four, Camry six and Avalon are running 589 vehicles, or 2.1 per cent above last year's sales rate,” he said.

“It is a tribute to Camry and Avalon that they have performed so well in the face of aggressive competitive activity.

“In many respects they have become firm foundations, not only of Toyota's model line up, but of the motor industry as a whole.”

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Toyota Three Vehicle Strategy Works

Toyota's policy of investing real market strength into three key passenger vehicles - Camry, Kluger and Avalon - has been instrumental in propelling it to market leadership in 2004.

The launch of Toyota Kluger in October 2003 has provided the company with substantial incremental sales without eroding demand for either of its locally made medium and large cars or its all wheel drive range.

Combined demand for the three vehicles has increased 20.3 per cent in the first eight months of 2004 compared to the same period last year.

Demand for all other vehicles in Toyota's extensive range has increased 5.5 percent.

Toyota maintained at the time of the Kluger launch that the composition of the Australian family vehicle market was changing to encompass demand for medium as well as large vehicles and also demand for all-wheel drive SUVs.

"The real world situation is quite different to that represented by market classifications,"

Toyota's divisional general manager marketing Scott Grant said at the Kluger launch.

“Private buyers and some fleets are now shopping between the medium and large sectors, and the introduction of crossover vehicles will further break down traditional definitions,” he added.

In the first eight months of 2004 Toyota has seized a 24.1 per cent share of the combined medium/large passenger vehicle and SUV markets, from Holden 20.9 per cent and Ford 19.9 per cent.

This compares to Toyota's total market share of 21.2 per cent, ahead of Holden on 18.6 per cent and Ford 13.9 per cent.

“The battle is very much being fought in the large passenger vehicle market under its new definition,” Toyota executive director of sales and marketing Dave Buttner said.

The majority of growth has occurred in the medium SUV market which is up 48.4 per cent annualised year to date on the full year 2003.

Eighty per cent of that growth has come from the launch of Toyota Kluger, Holden Adventra and Ford Territory.

Significantly, while many other vehicles in the category have lost out, Toyota's Prado has put on both volume and share.

“Toyota Kluger and Toyota Prado are co-habiting comfortably and without erosion,“ Mr Buttner said.

“Kluger is stacking on incremental volume at an annualised rate of 650 vehicles a month without causing any damage at all to Prado, or for that matter to Camry.

“It will be interesting to see if other entrants into the SUV category can fare equally well against their existing stablemates.”

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Camry And Kluger Customers Are Younger

A combination of Camry and Kluger demand patterns is driving down the age of Toyota buyers and placing Camry in a new light in the community.

The launch of the sports line in the current Camry range has been instrumental in the change of buyer pattern.

This year sports Camrys have been outselling the conventional package by 2.5:1.

Last year the ratio in favour of the sports package was 2:1.

Camry is appealing more to buyers in the 35-45 year-old bracket, and so is Kluger.

"There is a definite change in the look of the Toyota buyer, and to a degree it's being driven by a policy of specific target marketing of cars like Camry Sportivo and Kluger," Toyota's executive director sales and marketing Dave Buttner said.

“Camry is no longer sold as an all-in package. Individual grades within the range are now targeted directly to specific customer needs, as are Kluger and also Avalon.

“This targeted approach is paying substantial dividends - both in terms of sales and also in terms of Toyota's image and appeal.”

Toyota launched its current model range with what it termed its ‘Y' strategy.

In both the four and six cylinder ranges the level one Altise formed the bottom of the ‘Y'.

Higher grades, with more specification, could then be ordered either with conventional suspension, on one side of the ‘Y', or sports suspension in the other stream.

Mid-grade Ateva, on conventional suspension, has made up less than a third of demand above Altise this year.

Demand for Sportivo, high grade Azura and limited edition Altise Sport has this year comprised 71 per cent of all demand above the base model.

Toyota is planning for the trend to continue, but with reservation.

“It is important not to lose touch with our traditional market,” Mr Buttner said.

“The introduction of Camry Grande, a highly specified high grade model on conventional suspension calibration is intended to keep faith with customers who could not find the level of comfort and equipment they desired in our existing range.

“There will be some cross-over between Grande, sports luxury Azura and Avalon Grande - but not enough to make any significant difference to our bottom line.

“It's a readjustment in the interest of our loyal customers.”

Mr Buttner said limited edition Altise Sport had been withdrawn in the refreshed range to test customer reaction to a repackaged and substantially downpriced Sportivo.

“LE Altise Sport was always a strategic model and it could be re-introduced depending on demand,” Mr Buttner said.

“We believe strongly the newly specified Sportivo will find even broader appeal.

“The ratio of sports to conventional-suspension models will remain well biased to the sports package - but with greater choice in the conventional stream and even greater value for money in the sports line.”

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Toyota Major Sponsor Of Paralympic Games Team

Toyota Australia has become a major sponsor of the Australian team in the Paralympic Games in Athens, starting this Friday September 17.

The five year agreement carries through to the next Paralympics in Beijing in 2008.

"Our support of the Australian paralympic team grew from an association we established twelve months ago with Australian disabled snow skier Michael Milton," Toyota executive chairman John Conomos said.

“Michael had won four Paralympic Gold medals, and earned the highly prestigious accolade of “2002 Laureus World Athlete of the Year with a Disability” for excellence in sport.

“Most importantly he impressed us as a dedicated sportsman and an excellent representative of the paralympic movement.”

Toyota Australia will benefit from the opportunity to work with paralympians to research, test and develop vehicles for disabled personal mobility.

Toyota's Welcab systems in Japan are providing substantial assistance to disabled drivers and passengers.

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Toyota Deepens Community And Sports Commitments

Toyota is active in supporting a range of sports and community-asset programs as it extends its commitments within Australia.

The company this year became the naming rights sponsor of the AFL.

It extended by a further two years its sponsorship of Adelaide's AFL Camry Crows and North Queensland's NRL Toyota Cowboys.

Toyota's commitments include Country Music, the country's largest fishing contest in a world heritage area - a very special privilege - and its support of motor racing through its own Toyota Team Racing.

Toyota is a major sponsor of National Tree Day which this year planted more than two million trees nationally.

The company's Community Spirit program was this year presented a Victorian Good Corporate Citizen award.

Toyota Community Spirit is Toyota's corporate citizenship program. It aims to provide opportunities for Toyota to participate in issues and activities that are important to the Australian community.

Toyota Community Spirit includes a range of national and local community partnerships with organisations including Conservation Volunteers Australia, the Australia Business Arts Foundation, Re-Engineering Australia Forum, the City of Hobsons Bay and the City of Port Phillip. Toyota's new Corporate Headquarters has opened a Community Spirit Gallery to hang works of local artists.

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Camry Cracks The Locally Made Million

Toyota's Australian plant is to build its one millionth Camry coinciding with the launch of its refreshed model.

The one millionth Camry will be a jet black sports suspension luxury Azura to come off the Altona line on September 23.

The car will be the major prize in a promotion to co-incide with the AFL Grand Final.

Camry now comprises almost half the total production of all Toyota vehicles built in Australia since 1963.

Camry production has set an all time record for Toyota Australia's Altona plant.

The one millionth Camry was built in just 18 years at an annual average rate above 55,500.

Camry began local production in 1987 at Toyota's old Port Melbourne plant.

It moved to Altona, Australia's first greenfield manufacturing site in more than a quarter of a century, in 1995.

Production significantly ramped up at Altona to respond to local demand and to an aggressive export program.

By the end of this year in excess of 700,000 Camrys will have been produced at Altona at an average rate of around 80,000 a year.

In 2003 Toyota's Camry established an export record.

Toyota exported 66,200 Altona-made Camrys, from a total factory production run of 113,614 Camry and Avalon models.

In April this year Toyota Australia celebrated the production of its two millionth locally built vehicle.

Australia was one of the first countries outside Japan to build Toyota vehicles.

The first car - a Toyota Tiara - rolled out of the company's old assembly line in Port Melbourne in April 1963.

It took 29 years to build the first million Toyotas in Australia and only 12 years to build the second million.

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Toyota To Exceed 400,000 Exports By End ‘04

Toyota Australia will export its four hundred thousandth completely built up motor vehicle by the end of 2004.

The current export total of completely built up vehicles, to the end of July, from Toyota's Australian plants stands at 378,414.

The vast majority of those vehicles are Toyota Camrys.

This year Toyota delivered its three hundred thousandth Camry to the Middle East, its two hundred thousandth Camry to Saudi Arabia and its five thousandth Camry to a single customer - the Dubai Transport Corporation.

Toyota's exports in 2003 exceeded the combined total of Australia's three other local manufacturers.

Toyota Australia began exporting in 1986, and the total value of all its exports now stands at more than $8.2 billion.

Its first export vehicle was the Toyota Corona station wagon, bound for New Zealand.

Toyota has subsequently sold vehicles or components to more than 30 countries.

In the 1990s it manufactured 37,880 vehicles in semi-knocked down form and sold them across South East Asia.

It exported more than 25,000 Altona-built twin cam multi valve engines in the same decade.

The impetus of Toyota's export program has contributed significantly to quality improvements for all cars built at Toyota's Altona plant.

Last year Toyota delivered an all time record 186,370 vehicles into the Australian market - both locally manufactured and imported - to claim the number one position.

This year it is again leading the market with 133,287 sales (ytd August) and on an annualised basis it could become the first company to exceed 200,000 deliveries in a year.

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Toyota Link Has Specialised Hardware

Toyota Link provides exclusive hands-free vehicle communication with a call centre, using an embedded GSM cellular transceiver.

It combines data, voice and GPS information to provide safety, security and convenience features.

These services are: emergency operator assist (SOS button), accident notification (airbag SRS deployment), airbag SRS crash sensor diagnostics, remote door unlocking (if the keys are left inside the vehicle), low battery alert, unauthorised entry (alarm activated), stolen vehicle tracking and roadside assistance.

The Toyota Link hardware consists of an electronic control unit (also known as the Mayday ECU), a button module (with microphone) built into the interior rear vision mirror, GPS and GSM (cellular telephone) antennae, the vehicle's airbag ECU, a Toyota Link speaker and special wiring harness.

There is a telecommunications protocol between the Mayday ECU and the Toyota Link call centre.

The transfer mechanism is SMS (Short Messaging Service) via the GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) network.

The Mayday ECU is the on-board heart of Toyota Link and is mounted in the luggage area, underneath the package tray.

It consists of a built-in GSM phone and SIM card for data and voice communications; Global Positioning System receiver; a nickel cadmium back-up battery; inlet/outlet interface for vehicle status and control; diagnostic interface and power source connection (to the vehicle battery and earth).

If power from the vehicle battery is lost, the back-up battery is designed to power Toyota Linkfor approximately 45 minutes.

The button module on the electro-chromatic rear vision mirror is the main interface between the driver and call centre.

It has four buttons, including the electro-chromatic power function, as well as LEDs and a microphone.

The three Toyota Link buttons are Emergency (for connection to emergency services), "Toyota Link" for connection to the call centre and Hang-up to cancel calls instigated by the call centre.

The Toyota Link cellular phone antenna and GPS antenna have co-axial cable connections to the Mayday ECU.

The Toyota Link GPS antenna (fitted to the package tray) is separate to the vehicle's SatNav antenna and connects directly to the Mayday ECU.

The Toyota Link circuitry also includes a connection from the collision detection sensor in the airbag SRS ECU to the Mayday ECU.

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Toyota Link Adds Safety And Security

A new Toyota Link system which combines safety, security and convenience functions is fitted as standard equipment in Camry V6 Azura and new V6 Grande.

Safety features include automatic accident notification to the Toyota Link Call Centre if the system detects deployment of the SRS airbags.*

Toyota Link also includes an SRS airbag diagnostic function that constantly monitors the vehicle crash sensors and SRS airbag triggering system.

In both cases, the Toyota Link system automatically alerts an operator.

If the operator receives no response from the vehicle after an airbag SRS deployment, emergency services are notified.

If the operator receives an airbag SRS system diagnostic fault message, the vehicle owner is advised to visit the nearest dealer.

In addition, Toyota Link has an SOS button on the interior mirror - to provide operator assistance and emergency services assistance.

Toyota Link security features include unauthorised entry alert (alarm activated) and stolen vehicle tracking.

In the event of an unauthorised entry incident, the Toyota Link operator will attempt to identify the vehicle occupant as the owner. If the occupant cannot be identified as the owner, the police may be alerted.

If the vehicle is stolen, it can be tracked and the police notified of its location.

Convenience functions include remote unlock, low battery alert (for the vehicle's storage battery) and roadside assistance via the Toyota Link button.

A vehicle low-battery alert will automatically prompt a call from the operator to the vehicle owner.

subject to GSM network coverage

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G-Book Points To Future

Toyota has highlighted its commitment to an automotive e-future with the launch of G-Book in Japan.

G-Book combines live navigation, real-time communication and dial-up services, and is marketed as a total mobility service.

Its services include dial-up search for restaurants by cuisine and location, area-specific traffic information and security functions.

Services can be accessed via the vehicle's EMV touch screen and (in many cases) by voice command while driving.

G-Book's services include receiving and reading out mobile phone text messages.

Vehicle owners using the My Request function can program the information menu to provide traffic updates specific to their daily driving - or pre-save information on intended holiday destinations by accessing G-Book on their home computer.

Alternatively, G-Book can be accessed on the move, using the Pocket G-Book function - via a commercially available PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) and special software.

Safety and security are a G-Book priority, and have led to the development of a suite of services.

These include Road Assist 24, a full-time operator-provided roadside assistance service, and My Car Alarm, which notifies the owner by mobile telephone text message if there is an unauthorised vehicle entry.

The My Car Search function can check the parking location of the car and advise the owner by mobile phone.

Remote Maintenance Service provides tips for service, according to the vehicle's odometer reading and reads out the text message to the driver.

Additional features such as Auto Live (for personal sound on wheels), Friend Search (which can pinpoint a friend's location on the satnav screen), text message facility and even daily horoscope readings appeal to first-time car owners.

Alternatively, G-Book's Operator Support Service can assist by setting the satnav destination for the driver.

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Toyota Link Provides Insurance Benefit

Buyers of a Camry equipped with the Toyota Link telematics system can receive an extra benefit if they comprehensively insure their vehicle with Toyota Extra Care Motor Vehicle Insurance through Toyota Financial Services (TFS).

In the event the vehicle is stolen, Toyota Extra Care Motor Vehicle Insurance will waive the usual excess.

This represents a potential saving of between $200 and $500 dollars, depending on the state in which the vehicle is registered.

"This is a tangible financial benefit of insuring a Toyota Link equipped Camry with Toyota Extra Care Motor Vehicle Insurance - a benefit other insurance companies might not offer," said TFS Senior Manager Marketing Christina Tindall.

“With Toyota Link the chances of the vehicle being stolen are reduced and, if it is stolen, the chances of it being recovered are substantially improved.

“This reduces the cost of insuring the vehicle and allows us to offer the excess waiver.”

Toyota Extra Care Motor Vehicle Insurance offers three types of cover options - Comprehensive cover; Third Party, and Third Party Fire & Theft cover.

Comprehensive cover includes the following additional benefits:

• Replacement of the Toyota provided that the vehicle is insured with TFS since new, and total loss occurred within the first 3 years

• A genuine Toyota parts guarantee for first 5 years of the vehicle and a lifetime guarantee on all repairs.

• Emergency travel and accommodation expenses up to $300 when travelling more than 100kms from home and an accident occurs.

• Free car hire for up to 14 days if the vehicle is stolen, up to a value of $500.

• No claim bonus protection if the driver is not at fault.

• Cover for personal items in the vehicle if the vehicle is stolen, up to $300.

• Protection of the owner's legal liability for damage to other people's property up to $10,000,000 including any legal costs.

• Toyota Extra Care Motor Vehicle Insurance is underwritten by Swann Insurance (Aust) Pty. Ltd.

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Increased Feature Levels For Camry

Toyota's refreshed Camry has increased specification levels across the board.

Camry's increased feature levels mean all 12 models now have cruise control and alarm, and all Quad Cam V6 models have a power-operated driver's seat.

The feature level improvements, by model grade, are:

Entry level Camry Altise 2.4 - cruise control, alarm, and driver and passenger vanity mirrors with covers, new body side protection mouldings and new rear garnish.

Camry Altise V6 - alarm and immobiliser, power driver's seat, driver and passenger vanity mirrors with covers, new body side protection mouldings and new rear garnish.

Ateva 2.4 and V6 - climate control air conditioning (in place of manual), four-spoke leather steering with audio controls, wood-grain effect on upper front console box, illumination for driver and passenger vanity mirrors.

Sportivo 2.4 - three-spoke leather steering wheel with audio controls, brushed aluminium pedals, Sportivo front scuff plates, front upper console box and lights for driver and passenger vanity mirrors, new red mesh sports seat covers and new all-black interior.

Sportivo V6 - three-spoke leather steering wheel with audio controls, brushed aluminium pedals, Sportivo front scuff plates, front upper console box, new Alcantara sports seat covers and new all-black interior.

Azura V6 - Toyota Link telematics, three-spoke leather steering wheel with audio controls, brushed aluminium pedals, electro-chromatic interior rear vision mirror, woodgrain effect on upper front console box and Alcantara/leather sports seat covers.

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New Front Mask For Refreshed Camry

Appearance upgrades to Toyota's refreshed Camry model include a new front mask, new rear treatment and improved interior.

The sports models - Sportivo and Azura - have a new aero body kit styled at Toyota Styling Australia in Melbourne.

Camry's front mask includes four new radiator grilles, a new bumper, foglamps (on applicable models) and foglamp covers.

The radiator grille styling reflects the two "arms" of the Camry “Y” sales strategy - luxury and sports (three horizontal grille bars for luxury and a single horizontal grille bar for sports).

Camry also has new rear combination lamps, a new licence plate garnish and for Sportivo, new resin Sportivo badges.

All models have new wheels/wheelcaps - a nine-spoke style wheelcap for Altise; 10-spoke 15-inch alloy wheel for Ateva; six-spoke 16-inch alloy wheel for Sportivo and Azura; and seven-spoke 16-inch alloy wheel for new Grande.

There is a new exterior paint colour - Rhapsody (dark blue) - for Sportivo and Azura models.

Camry's interior upgrades include new steering wheels with audio controls for Ateva, Sportivo, Azura and new Grande.

Camry also has new seat/door trim material across the range.

Sportivo now has a full black sports interior, as well as drilled brushed aluminium sports pedals and “Sportivo” front scuff plates.

High-grade Azura also has drilled brushed aluminum pedals.

The sports combination meter for Sportivo and Azura has darker dial face, improved readability and white-light illumination.

Camry also adopts front console lids and accessory socket for Ateva, Sportivo, Grande and Azura.

The newly created front console box can hold five CDs.

Woodgrain effect has been added to upper front console box of Ateva, Azura and Grande.

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Grande Has Unique Suspension Calibration

Toyota has developed a unique suspension calibration for new Camry V6 Grande.

The new suspension calibration enhances Grande's position as the top-of-the-range Camry luxury model.

It further strengthens Camry's credentials as one of the all-round quietest built-in-Australia cars.

The Grande calibration retains Camry's precise, communicative chassis and neutral stance while increasing road isolation feel and further reducing interior noise levels.

It includes 16-inch Michelin Vivacy sports tyres - the same tyre as Sportivo and Azura.

The new Grade calibration has more of a luxury feel than the Azura.

The new calibration means drivers can still enjoy the vehicle's grip in corners and experience improved ride in city driving.

Camry V6 Grande has reduced step input shock - for example over "steps" in concrete roads.

Adopting the Altise/Ateva spring rates means Grande has lower spring rates than Sportivo and Azura.

The front spring rate has been reduced by 14 per cent and rear spring rate by 20 per cent, to improve road isolation.

Body control has been maintained through careful attention to the ultra-low speed damping levels, giving flat roll posture in corners.

New tyre-pressure recommendations have been adopted to optimise the dynamics of the Grande suspension calibration.

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High-Tech Toyota Genuine Accessories Put Camry Owners Ahead Of The Game

Toyota's upgraded Camry will be complemented with the latest range of high-tech Toyota Genuine Accessories.

Owners can purchase the latest generation Satellite Navigation or 6CD MP3 changer car audio system, and Toyota's clever ParkAssist reverse parking sensor technology.

Toyota Genuine's satellite navigation system features easy-to-use touch screen technology, logical function menus and a range of options including full screen, half screen or voice-only guidance choices, to direct the driver from A-B.

Camry buyers can choose to upgrade to an even more advanced sound system.

Options include the replacement of the standard single CD, radio and cassette (Ateva 4 cylinder and Altise 6 cylinder), through to a six-disk CD MP3 changer and radio that will hold up to 10 times more audio tracks in compressed form than a conventional CD (CD - A Format).

The Toyota Genuine Audio Upgrade program allows buyers to choose a cost effective upgrade, including sound system and satellite navigation options, at the time of ordering their new vehicle, and to have it installed prior to delivery.

Squeezing into tight parking spaces becomes a simple technology-assisted manoeuvre with the Toyota Genuine ParkAssist reverse parking sensors.

With two or four colour-keyed sensors (depending on the coverage required) mounted in the rear bumper of the vehicle, the system alerts the driver with a series of audible beeps within the cabin.

These beeps increase in frequency as the vehicle reverses closer to objects behind - providing the driver with a helpful guide for an easier reverse park.

The senior manager of Toyota's Customer Services Division, Tony Bottacin, said the Camry Genuine Accessory range provided owners with the opportunity to personalise their vehicle to suit their individual needs.

"Toyota has always been at the cutting edge of automotive technology and the latest Camry Accessory range is no exception. We've developed a range of options designed to make driving easier and more enjoyable," he said.

Toyota also offers a range of practical accessories designed to protect the Camry against bumps and scrapes.

“Our Toyota Genuine scuffguard protects vulnerable rear paintwork and the bumper from scrapes. It stores flat in the boot and is held securely in place with a velcro strip. Simply fold it out over the bumper when loading golf clubs, suitcases, strollers and other goods likely to scratch the paintwork,” he said.

Toyota Genuine's floor mats offered added protection, he said.

“The mats are tailored to fit the Camry's interior - including such attention to detail as manual and auto versions for customised fit under the driver's pedals.

The driver's mat also features two anti-slip attachments for added safety.

Toyota Genuine headlight covers and bonnet protector provide added protection against chips, scratches and damage to headlights and paintwork.

On the safety front, Toyota also offers Toyota Genuine seat covers designed and rigorously tested to be compatible with Camry's SRS front seat side airbags where these are fitted.

For those customers looking to make a statement in the traffic, Toyota offers a range of Sportivo Accessories by Toyota, including alloy wheels, exhaust extensions, rear spoilersand sports mufflers.

And for enthusiasts, Toyota offers suspension packages designed to enhance the driving experience.

The specially-engineered Sportivo Sports Suspension Kit lowers the Camry by approximately 20mm from normal factory specifications, giving the car a sportier look and even more responsive handling characteristics.

A Sports Spring Kit can be fitted to those Camrys with factory sports suspension for even sharper handling.

All Toyota Genuine Accessories purchased and fitted at time of new vehicle purchase are warranted for three years or 100,000kms from the time of new vehicle purchase, whichever occurs first.

If purchased and fitted after new Toyota vehicle delivery and during the New Vehicle Warranty period, accessory warranty expires with the New Vehicle Warranty, or 12 months from the date of fitting, whichever is the greater. Otherwise a 12 months warranty applies.

Some Toyota Genuine Accessories are not applicable to all Camry grades - a Toyota Dealer should be consulted for details.

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Camry At The Leading Edge Of Technology

Toyota's new Camry has led the locally-manufactured field in many technology breakthroughs.

The first built-in-Australia Camry, the SV20 model launched in 1987, created a raft of firsts.

1987 Camry's firsts for a built-in-Australia vehicle included:

• All-independent suspension across the range (1985 Corona was the first built-in-Australia rear-drive vehicle with independent rear suspension)

• Twin Cam Multi-valve

• electronic fuel injection

• split fold rear seat availability and

• fuel tank forward of the rear axle

The 1988 full imported SV21 Camry V6 model was Australia's first volume-selling Quad Cam V6.

Camry's 1997 all-alloy V6 engine was the first all-alloy engine in a built-in-Australia car.

Camry gained all-alloy engines across the range in 2002, with local production of the new generation balance-shaft equipped 2.4-litre engine.

Wide body Camry, launched in 1993, was the first Japanese lineage vehicle in Australia to break the 1700mm width barrier (a barrier imposed by domestic vehicle tax scales). Wide body Camry had an overall width of 1760mm.

Camry pioneered one-piece body sides - thanks to laser welding in 1997 - and from 2002 adopted one-piece body side pressings.

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Seamless Change For New Camry

Toyota has successfully introduced the new Camry without stopping the Altona production line - a first for a new model.

As a result of this seamless change, daily production levels were maintained and there was practically no change to quality, or delivery times to dealers.

The changeover on July 29 involved more than 160 new components.

A new Camry rolls off the Altona production line every 105 seconds, for a total of 480 cars a day.

When the last of the old models rolled down the line, there was one gap and two Avalons before the first new model Camry reached each station in the production line.

This provided just seven minutes to remove all the old Camry parts and replace them with racks of new parts.

Workers at various stations also had to adjust to the new model specifications and the addition of the new Grande model.

Total production on the changeover day was 478, a drop of only two cars.

Altona plant administration office senior manager Phil McKenzie said it was the first time that seamless changeover has successfully been done at the plant.

"This was the biggest challenge we faced with the new model, but we had to do it to achieve the TMC standard," said Mr McKenzie.

“We had to make sure we had all the right stock in the right place at the right time, without stopping the line and while still maintaining our high quality levels.

“We had a few minor challenges which were easily rectified and generally the changeover went very well.

“It didn't slow down production or affect quality and our ‘out the door right' first time was hardly affected, which was critical because it means the dealers still got their cars when we said they would.”

Complicating the changeover was the fact that this is the first time a Camry upgrade has been introduced in Australia simultaneously with the rest of the world.

Consequently, there was limited opportunity for Toyota Australia or its suppliers to learn any lessons from other countries.

“The next all-new Camry due some time in 2006 will be launched in every world market within four months, so we had to become more self-sufficient and this was a good test,” Mr McKenzie said.

“The 2006 model, of course, will be a much bigger project.

“Our aim is to reduce the recovery time to an absolute minimum and to reach full production in record time with a volume increase of 30 per cent more than the last Camry.”

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Toyota Pours Investment Into Camry

Toyota Australia has invested around $17 million in the production of its upgraded Camry.

More than half of the total investment was dedicated to providing new tooling for the company's Australian parts supplier partners.

Local engineering development of Camry changes comprises 20 per cent of the investment.

A further 10 per cent went into production preparation, including manufacturing trials and quality confirmation activities.

Toyota invested $2.2 million on manufacturing improvements at the company's Altona plant.

Five new robots were installed in the panel press shop and many more in the press shop, body welding line and paint shop were upgraded in the lead-up to production of the new model.

Toyota's customers will benefit from the production of a vehicle that is even better built and more efficient in operation.

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Automation Helps Improve Camry Production Efficiency

Faster and more reliable robots have helped improve quality standards and are making Toyota Camry production at Altona more efficient.

Modifications to the cartridge robot system in the groundbreaking Altona paint shop have resulted in greater throughput.

New and upgraded robots have also improved efficiency in the panel press shop and on the body line.

Five new six-axis robots installed in the press shop have resulted in a large gain in productivity and the ability to produce more complex small body parts. This has resulted in output increasing from 380 parts per hour to 520 parts an hour - an increase of 37 percent - while improving quality through better handling of panels.

Almost 15 percent of the robots on the body welding line have been replaced this year as part of a refurbishment program.

An in-house Toyota Australia body shop crew installed the 10 new robots.

The paint shop's $15 million B-booth that was commissioned two years ago now handles 75 percent of cars produced at Altona.

The B-booth now applies all 10 metallic colours as well as black, while the A-booth paints only white cars.

The cartridge system in the B-booth uses water-borne paint technology and is considerably more environmentally friendly, reducing emissions, waste and the use of solvents.

The Altona facility was the first automotive plant in the Southern Hemisphere to employ water-borne paint technology.

Paint quality at Altona is now a benchmark for quality in the Toyota world.

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Toyota's New Home Leads The Way In Technology

Toyota Australia's new corporate headquarters in Port Melbourne is arguably the most high-tech office building in Australia.

The $50 million office building is the first outside Japan to feature NEC Business Solution's groundbreaking Internet Protocol (IP) telephony system called UNIVERGE.

A feature of the system is the ability to convert emails into voice messages so that they can be sent or received in the car using only voice commands.

The bi-directional Natural Language Speech Recognition program - which provides voice to text and text to voice - also enables phone messages to be converted into emails.

Each employee can customise the system with their own preferences, such as categorising emails and voice messages for urgency.

The new building also incorporates state of the art environmental design features, in keeping with Toyota's global environmental awareness policy.

Prime Minister John Howard and Toyota global president Fujio Cho officially opened the eye-catching building in July.

Even before it opened, the building was recognised in the City of Port Phillip's Design and Development Awards, judged the Best Contribution to Sustainable Development for a large-scale building.

Toyota Australia president Ted Okada said the ultra-modern building reflects the company's standing as the country's number one automotive brand.

He said the technology incorporated into the construction had been an integral component of the building's design since planning began.

"We knew that the advanced architectural and environmental design of the facility needed to be matched with a leading edge communication network," Mr Okada said.

IP digital telephony uses the data network rather than conventional copper phone lines to integrate computer, phone, fax, email, SMS, Internet and intranet services.

The single communication network is designed to reduce operating costs, streamline network management and increase productivity.

UNIVERGE provides the capability of wireless communication, voice recognition and remote access for the 340 people who work in the three-level building.

It also enables Toyota personnel to walk into any Toyota office and operate off a laptop as if they were at their own desk, including personal phone settings - in some cases without even having to plug in, thanks to an optional wireless system that recognises the computer when the user walks into a Toyota building.

The UNIVERGE system and the advanced wiring system built into the Toyota CHQ are designed to ensure it remains at the leading edge of technology for the foreseeable future.

A specially designed foyer kiosk has been installed to help visitors locate and call people in the building without going through reception.

Visitors can use the touch pad display to locate the extension of the person they need and contact them directly.

“This level of technology is new to the Toyota world and there's certainly nothing else like it in Australia,” said NEC Business Solutions president Isamu Shiroki.

“There's no doubt that the Toyota CHQ is the most high-tech office building in Australia.”

The building incorporates sustainable design features such as stormwater recycling, external solar shades, a 90-metre glazed atrium that covers the front of the building, an air reticulation system designed to reduce energy usage, double and triple glazed windows, high-efficiency fluorescent lights and even recycled carpet materials.

A 350,000-litre underground stormwater tank collects and harvests water from the roof to use for flushing toilets and watering the surrounding landscaped gardens.

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Specifications (.XLS documents)

V6 Features

V6 Specs

Azura Grande Features

Azura Grande Specs

4 Cyl Features

4 Cyl Specs

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