Guangzhou Toyota to Bring Camry Hybrid in China in 2010

The recently-revealed Toyota Camry hybrid will also be launched in China in 2010, with production to be handled by Guangzhou Toyota, the Chinese joint venture established by Toyota. The alliance is currently in charge of Camry, Highlander and Yaris model and aims to sell a total of 267,000 vehicles in 2010, up from 209,400 units this year.

Toyota will sell the Camry hybrid in several regions of the world, including the US and Australia, with the latter to officially begin sales in February 2010.

The hybrid Camry will use a combination of a 2.4l petrol engine and an electric drive, delivering together some 140 kW (188 hp), up from the 117 kW (157 hp) developed by the regular sedan. According to official specs, he Camry is expected to achieve a fuel consumption rating of under 6l/100 km, way down from the 8.8l achieved by the non-hybrid version.

In Australia, production will be handled by the Altona plant, with prices to be at least AU$3,500 over the regular Camry.

"Toyota Australia will be only the fifth country in the world that produces hybrid vehicles and that makes me proud of Australia. I expect that this car will bring a new set of business opportunities to the local community so that the Australian and Victorian auto industry will step to the next level both economically and environmentally," Yukitoshi Funo, TMC Executive Vice President said in a release.

At this time, Toyota is selling around 5,000 units of the Camry hybrid in the United States.