• Howick and Botany Times

Hybrid technology, combining a petrol and electric engine, has until now been the preserve of small or selected luxury vehicles.

The launch of the Toyota Hybrid Camry this month represents the first time Toyota’s hybrid synergy drive (HSD) technology has been offered in a mid-sized sedan and the company expects hybrid sales will soar as a result.

Toyota New Zealand chief executive Alistair Davis is enthusiastic about introducing the Hybrid Camry to Kiwi motorists and says it is part of the company’s plan to make hybrid motoring the norm.  

“This is an exciting time for Toyota in New Zealand and globally.

The Hybrid Camry represents a crucial step towards broadening the appeal of hybrid vehicles in the market.

“With both our business and private customers in mind, we’ve packaged the convenience of a mid-sized sedan with the fuel efficiency and emissions characteristics of a much smaller vehicle.

“Toyota is focused on hybrid technology – as opposed to diesel and fuel-cell technologies for example – because it provides an ideal long-term solution.

“By allowing multiple sources of power to be used, including kinetic energy generated by the vehicle’s momentum, a hybrid keeps the door open for new technologies as they become available.

“We’ve been committed to hybrid technology now for more than 30 years and, quite frankly, it’s the future of motoring.”

The Camry is the first of the existing Toyota vehicle fleet to receive the hybrid treatment, with more vehicles to come in the near future.

Mr Davis says the company was responding to the needs of New Zealand motorists by introducing fuel-saving and emissions-reducing technology as a mainstream option in the Camry.

“Toyota’s business strategy is to focus on making better cars for our time. While it’s early days, the global trend is seeing hybrid technology becoming more mainstream. That trend can be seen here in New Zealand too, but we are still only at the beginning of the curve.”