No wagon or downsizing for Camry

Toyota is desperately seeking more local private buyers with the seventh generation Camry. But a choice of engines and body styles is not something it can offer.

Indeed, a polite laugh and the combination of a wave of the hand and shaking of the head are the Toyota execs responses to motoring.com.au's question. It's about downsizing the engine of Camry – perhaps a turbocharged 1.6-litre four is on the drawing board.

For markets like the USA and Australia, 2.5-litre naturally aspirated is "the best and most appropriate", says Camry Deputy Chief engineer, Keiichi Yoneda.

"Honestly speaking we have the systems [to build a turbo small capacity engine] but the American market does not want this. The market for a small engine [in Camry] is not so big," Yoneda san opines.

"But maybe the potential for a smaller engine [in Camry] lies with China," he concedes.

In Yoneda's statements lies the rub. The US accounts for more than 50 per cent of global Camry sales. For China the percentage is also large – 23 per cent and growing. Australia accounts for just 5 per cent.

Any major departures from the proven Camry formula will only be driven by these two markets.

Though the seventh generation Camry launched Down Under this week includes more local Australian input than ever before, local customisation is limited to suspension and steering settings, and trims and colour combinations. The hard parts and mechanicals are 'world' spec.

The car gets an all-new engine that for the first time features dual variable cam timing, but it is a relatively straightforward 2.5-litre four-cylinder powerplant. For instance, in contrast to Hyundai's latest four, the 2AR-FE series engine eschews direct-injection.

Toyota says it's studying DI, but also states that the new engine is capable of meeting Euro 6 emissions rules without major changes. It's investing $300m in the Altona (Vic) plant to build the 2AR for local and export consumption. Clearly it's planning to build this engine for some time to come.

The US-Sino oligarchy also stands in the way of any return of a Camry wagon.

China wants no part of wagons. And in the USA family hauling duties still largely fall to SUVs. Europe, the home of smart wagons doesn't take Camry.

In the USA, Kluger and Venza (a handsome Camry-based MPV) feature in Toyota showrooms. Though Kluger will continue Down Under in its next generation, Toyota Australia boss, Dave Buttner, says there are no plans to add a right-hand drive Venza to the portfolio.

"We've looked at Camry [wagon] but we think if we did 8000 [sales is Australia] we'd be doing well. Then we looked around for friends [other markets that would also take the car], but it's hard to get any business case to stack up."

To many consumers Camry almost defines Toyota's conservatism – corporate inertia that has of late not served the company well. But Yoneda-san's statements suggests there's at least some light at the end of the tunnel.

"We are in a transition period for engines. New technology and new engines will come. We don't do something challenging with Camry, but our core technologies, once in the mainstream, will always be part of [and bring benefits to] Camry."

Read the latest news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at carsales' mobile site…