Toyota Camry Hybrid to be built in Kentucky

Camry Hybrid to be First Toyota Hybrid Built Outside of Japan

Thus far, Toyotas hybrid electric (HEV) models have been built in Japan only, but this will change when the upcoming Camry Hybrid becomes available next year.

Why the change of venue? The first generation Prius needed to be built in its own specialized plant, but progress in hybrid development has allowed Toyota to build the current Prius, as well as other HEVs alongside their gasoline-only powered stablemates. This has reduced production costs, and allowed more Toyota vehicles to include the automakers Hybrid Synergy Drive system as an option.

The second vehicle to get the HEV upgrade was the recently introduced Lexus RX 400h, which will soon be followed by a Toyota branded Highlander Hybrid, based on the same architecture. Next on the list will be the Camry Hybrid, needed to do battle against Hondas new Accord Hybrid.

The Camry Hybrid, based on the next-generation Camry which will share its general architecture with the extremely capable 2005 Avalon, will be built alongside conventionally powered Camry models in the automakers Georgetown, Kentucky plant, starting in 2006, and in so doing become the first Toyota hybrid to be built outside of Japan. The Georgetown plant was chosen, because it is the only North American facility that builds Camrys. Also, the majority of Camrys and Solaras made were built in the U.S. with 406,224 of the 426,990 total global 2004 build assembled in Georgetown.

Toyota is planning to build a Camry plant in St. Petersburg, Russia, but has not said if it will be optimized for Camry Hybrid production.

According to a recent announcement, the $10 million updated plant will be capable of producing up to 48,000 Camry Hybrids per year, which is approximately ten percent of the 500,000 vehicle the plant is currently capable of producing. The Georgetown facility has produced 6 million vehicles to date, including Camry, Avalon, Solara and Sienna models.

Many market analysts expect a hybrid Sienna soon, but before this and directly after the Camry Hybrid becomes available the next HEV in Toyotas lineup will be the Lexus GS 450h.

According to reports in Automotive News, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger personally lobbied Toyota CEO Fujio Cho about getting the automaker update its NUMMI facility in Fremont, California for hybrid production. While this may happen some time in the future, for an expected Corolla hybrid or a possible Tacoma hybrid pickup, although no such models has been announced, it didnt make business sense to build an entirely new model in the NUMMI facility, when the Georgetown plant already produces the Camry.

Why choose the Camry as the next hybrid? Many were surprised when the Lexus RX 400h and Toyota Highlander were announced first, being that the Camry has been the best-selling car in America for three consecutive years, as well as seven of the previous eight years.

While the new Prius is classified as a midsize car due to its spacious interior dimensions, the Camrys number one position in the midsize sales race will allow even greater hybrid volumes, resulting in continued HEV leadership for Toyota.