2008 Toyota Hybrid Camry to be built in Altona

The same car was meant to be delivered from Thailand and it is to Toyota's credit that it has swung the deal in Australia's favour. What is not so positive is the fact that the Federal Government will throw $35 million of taxpayers money from the Green Car Industry Fund to Toyota to supposedly help meet the cost of introducing the new drive train to the Camry. Why this is astonishing is that the drive train and hybrid components will be fully imported. Adding to the confusion of the government handout is the fact that Toyota didn't know what it would do with the money. Toyota's president Katsuaki Watanabe said, " It was only recently we heard about the amount, so we are not sure how we will even use it."

Altona will become only the third plant in the Toyota world to produce a hybrid car, joining Japan and the United States. Toyota's global vision is to sell one million or more hybrid vehicles annually as early as possible from 2010. Hybrid vehicles produce lower and cleaner emissions than standard engine technologies, reduce fuel consumption and reduce the demand for oil.

Hybrid facts:
-Hybrid Camry and Prius have specially designed four-cylinder petrol engines working in tandem with an electric motor. The combination boosts performance, reduces fuel consumption and produces fewer emissions.

-The petrol engine automatically switches off when the car is stationary (such as at traffic lights) or when coasting or travelling downhill.

-Hybrid Camry and Prius recharge themselves while driving. You never have to plug them into a power point.

-Energy that would normally be lost when braking or coasting is converted to electricity and stored in a sealed battery, for use when required.