Toyota today marked the beginning of a new era in local production -- the commencement of Australia's first home-grown hybrid.
Japanese car maker Toyota began the pilot production phase of the Camry Hybrid today at the company's Altona plant near Melbourne.
The 'Pilot production' delivers small batches of cars to test the processes and assembly methods, and to iron out any kinks before official production ramps up in December.
After full-scale manufacturing begins in December, Toyota plans to have the petrol-electric Camry Hybrids on sale by February 2010.
The event was attended by the Federal Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator Kim Carr, Victorian Premier John Brumby, Toyota Australia's president Max Yasuda and the executive director of manufacturing and purchasing Tatsuo Shinozaki.
"This [vehicle] has the potential to change the automotive landscape forever," Max Yasuda, Toyota Australia's president and CEO said.
"This aligns with Toyota's global strategy to accelerate the roll-out of eco-friendly vehicles. A practical demonstration of this is the introduction of new Hybrid Camry here at Altona," said Yasuda-san.
Toyota plans to build no less than 10,000 Camry Hybrid per annum for domestic consumption.
"We have responded to the needs of Australian motorists by introducing fuel-saving and environmentally friendly technology as a mainstream option," added Yasuda-san.
Stay tuned to the Carsales Network for more details on the Toyota Camry Hybrid and its Hybrid Synergy Drive direct from the factory floor.
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