Cairns taxis to snap up hybrid Camry
CAIRNS taxi drivers are expected to soon start using this newly unveiled Australian-built hybrid car.
The first Toyota Camry Hybrid, combining electric and petrol power, was unveiled yesterday in front of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, Victorian Premier John Brumby, high-level Toyota officials and Japanese dignitaries.
Black and White Taxis has the highest number of Toyota Prius hybrids in Australia, with more than 46 on the road.
There are also a high number of four-cylinder petrol Camrys used by owners.
But the cheapest Prius hybrids are priced from $40,000 whereas the Camry Hybrid is expected to be about $33,000.
Toyota says the Hybrid Camry, with combined power of about 140kW from its 2.4-litre petrol engine and electric drive motor, will produce less than 150 grams per kilometre of CO2.
Toyota expects the official figures to show the Hybrid Camry will use at least 35 per cent less fuel than its locally built six-cylinder competitors.Toyota Australia president and CEO Max Yasuda said the Hybrid Camry had the potential to change the automotive landscape and provide motorists with an affordable, environmentally responsible car.
"We will have the unique advantage in our market of producing and selling a four-cylinder hybrid family car," he said.
"It will enable every household across the country to have the opportunity of having a locally built hybrid in their driveway."
The Rudd Government has granted $35 million to Toyota to build the hybrid car and the company plans to build 10,000 vehicles a year for the domestic market and export 300 vehicles to New Zealand.
A limited number of pre-production cars has already been tested on public roads and closed tracks ahead of the start of full-scale production yesterday.
Toyota insiders say the fuel-efficient petrol-electric Hybrid Camry will be more powerful, have better handling and be quieter than the standard car.
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Revealed: Toyota has unveiled Australia's first locally built hybrid car, the Hybrid Camry.
Cairns taxis to snap up hybrid Camry
CAIRNS taxi drivers are expected to soon start using this newly unveiled Australian-built hybrid car.
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