click above image to view a high-res gallery of the Toyota Camry 50th Anniversary Edition
We know, it kind of sounds like the Camry Hybrid 50th Anniversary Edition is Toyota's way of celebrating 50 years of selling hybrids, a mark it's still a few decades or so away from achieving. Rather, according to the press release after the jump, this special edition Camry is meant to celebrate the 50 years that Toyota's been doing business in the United States. We think a Tundra 50th Anniversary Edition would be more appropriate considering that's one vehicle Toyota makes exclusively for the North American market, but whatev.
The Camry Hybrid 50th Anniversary Edition gets a bleached white Blizzard Pearl paint job, unique 16-inch wheels finished in graphite, and that one thing that any special edition model would be naked without: "50th Anniversary Edition" badges! A power moonroof and heated power side mirrors are also standard equipment. Inside the Hybrid Camry is decked out with a voice-actived nav unit, heated front seats and bisque-colored leather trim. Special trinkets include a brushed stainless steel dash applique, illuminated front door sills and carpeted floor mats, all bedecked with the "50th Anniversary Edition" logo.
Toyota will be producing only 3,000 of these celebratory cars, which will carry a base MSRP of $31,680. That's a fair sized chunk of change more than a standard Camry Hybrid that starts at $26,200, but hey, you gotta pay the man if you want to party with Toyota.
[Source: Toyota]
PRESS RELEASE:
Toyota Announces Pricing For Camry Hybrid 50th Anniversary Edition
February 20, 2007 - Torrance, CA - Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., today announced manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) for the 2007 Camry Hybrid 50th Anniversary Edition. The limited edition Camry Hybrid celebrates Toyota's 50 years of business in the United States.
This specially badged Camry Hybrid comes with features exclusive only to the 50th Anniversary Edition. Its stunning Blizzard Pearl paint, unique 16-inch alloy wheels with a graphite finish, and exterior "50th Anniversary Edition" badging are just some of the 50th Anniversary exclusives not available on any other Camry. A power moonroof and heated power outside mirrors are also standard.
Inside, the Camry Hybrid is equipped with a voice-activated DVD navigation system with a four-disc changer, leather-trimmed bisque-colored interior, heated front seats, and a carpeted cargo mat. Unique interior features include brushed stainless dash appliqué, illuminated front door sills, and carpeted floor mats with the "50th Anniversary Edition" logo.
Only 3,000 units will be built at Toyota Motor Manufacturing in Kentucky. The 50th Anniversary Edition will carry a base manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $31,680 and will start arriving at Toyota dealerships in March.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
rrr @ Feb 20th 2007 3:13PM
Hey take this out of here, these hybrids offend Ford and GM lovers.
GM is exactly 10 years behind Toyota in Hybrids..........if i was a GM fan boy i'd be offended too.
Bryan @ Feb 20th 2007 3:27PM
Whoop de do. Because our future is in hybrids. Half have been flops. The Insight, the accord are a few examples. We need an alternative fuel source. This is where Ford and GM shine. They have been investing for quite some time, and will leave Toyota and the others in the dust when E85 or hydrogen takes off. Then they will be liscensing technology from Ford and GM. Then what will the little import lovers have to whine about..oh wait, that their camry sludged up and their transmission quit in their accord. Awww lol.
Howie @ Feb 20th 2007 3:29PM
Just plain junk! Anything for a profit. Add a badge or 2 and hit the consumer for S5,000.00 profit. Hopefully the 50th anniversary Camry will not be one the millions of 2007 recalls for Toyota.
Howard Kerr @ Feb 20th 2007 3:34PM
Actually, a 50th anniversary Tacoma and / or Yaris would make more sense since Toyota debutted in the U.S. with a SMALL(very small, especially compared to the contemporary U.S. vehicles) sedan and then a truck.
I can't imagine why anyone would buy this, considering how expensive (overpriced?) any hybrid car is. But several THOUSAND dollars for a commemorate package? I guess there are at least 3,000 gullible customers in this country.
Kenny @ Feb 20th 2007 3:39PM
ATTN: AUTOBLOG
Please put someone with an unbias opinion in charge of the blogs for Toyota news. It is obvious that John Neff is NEVER going to say anything favorable about Toyotas.
As for his fans, stop playing like you are as dumb as he is about the Toyota influence on the American Auto Market.
FYI, Load up a Camry Hybrid with all the bells and whistles (leather, heated seats, nav, etc.) and it will cost you just under $31K. The main difference will be the badging and the special color! Goofball!!
sp @ Feb 20th 2007 3:44PM
of course, 26k hybrid start price - does not include leather or voice nav.
And of course Camry Hybrid is made in USA for USA.
With optional package (NAV/Leather+extras), price comes out 31500, just $100 cheaper than special edition...
But of course, John could have checked that himself...
tim d @ Feb 20th 2007 3:45PM
@rrr
Nice double troll there
Paul @ Feb 20th 2007 3:46PM
Barf.
Lithous @ Feb 20th 2007 3:49PM
rrr and sp must cost Toyota at least $100K in salary each plus bonuses...
Of course, as much as Toyota loves us Americans we weren't their first choice for getting to use their "great" technology. It came out in Japan in 1997 but not in America then. Years after. Their home land (which isn't U.S.A. believe it or not from all the commercials on U.S. TV) of course was graced first even though we are the biggest auto market in the world. I guess they really are Japanese.
Oh wait, all Japanese hybrid system are from Japan as a whole and shipped to the U.S. Baltimore MD is where GM does manufacturing for their hybrid system. But who cares if it is from Japan... Well, import fanboys do of course. You know, when 1 Chinese motor is used or joint development with European companies GM has owned for 80+ years participate in designing a GM vehicle. Then of course we care where the techonology originates.
Toyota has carved out production numbers the size of a decent selling model in the U.S. btween all hybrids sold in the U.S. by Toyota in each year. This isn't something so stellar that it even gives the Camry a run for the money. IIRC, they don't sell as many hybrids in the world per year as they do Camrys in the U.S.
Add to the fact that all the gov't incentives (state and federal) helped them even sell that many. All I'm saying is that they gambled and it looks like it will work out but they had a lot of help. We are not talking about a product (the hybrid system itself) that was so incredible that everyone has to have one, even when gas was above $3 that wasn't true. We are talking about a product that is OK.
But let you and your company keep thinking that even a 10 year head start is "game over", please, keep thinking that.
Back to the thread... Of course Toyota wants your psyche to process it as if they have been making hybrids for 50 years. That is how they ride. Perception is 99% of the current car game in America. Toyota knows this. That is why they publicly throw out statements like they want to share their technology. So people will assume Toyota helped them with their hybrid system.
Joe @ Feb 20th 2007 3:52PM
Great Reporting!!! Yeah for $26,200 what do I get in a Camry Hybrid, well, no leather, no roof, no nav, no heated mirrors or seats, no, no, no... So If I ordered a Hybrid with all of those options, specifically Leather, heated seats and mirrors, a moonroof, Navigation and floor mats, my hybrid would be $30,929 after the delivery fee. Great so now the Special edition will come with the pearl paint that normally adds $200 to the MSRP making my bill $31029, so the badging, special wheels and interior trim costs me roughly $600. But thanks for the accuracy in your reporting.
Lithous @ Feb 20th 2007 3:57PM
"This isn't something so stellar that it even gives the Camry a run for the money."
BTW, that sentence refers to hybrid vehicle technology itself in reply to the geisha twins.
Jruhi4 @ Feb 20th 2007 3:59PM
John Neff is wrong about the Tundra being the "one vehicle Toyota makes exclusively for the North American market". The Avalon, Sienna, Tacoma and Solara fit that description as well, as does the entire '08 Scion lineup.
Jeremy @ Feb 20th 2007 4:21PM
Interesting. I could get a 2007 Chevrolet Impala SS with a 303 HP engine, between 24 and 28 mpg, fully loaded with leather, heated seats, and the works for $30,005. OR I could get a Toyota Camry Hybrid which gets 38 mpg and costs more with similar options but only 189hp. The Impala has MacPherson struts, sport tuned suspension, smooth ride and a 100,000 mile warranty. Isn't it interesting that the Impala can get 24-28 mpg, as can the Corvette, in a V-8 and the Camry gets barely more than that with a significantly smaller engine and lower horsepower. Yet, who is bragged about in fuel economy? I think I'll take my 303hp Impala with 28mpg before a 10mpg increase in fuel economy any day.
Alain @ Feb 20th 2007 4:33PM
Fifty lousy years of building substandard automobiles, engaging in unethical trading and co-conspiring with the Japanese government to manipulate currency and block American access to the Japanese market.
Fiftieth Anniversary and all the traitors have to show for it is a tarted up Camry with new emblems commemorating their ongoing sludging engine problems and special service hugs.
Fabulo @ Feb 20th 2007 4:54PM
"WOW, 16 inch wheels and a $5k premium! WOW"
Macintosh 20 year anniversary edition anyone?
Rick Wagoner @ Feb 20th 2007 5:06PM
Automaker is supposed to lose money, no make them! That's the American way!
Tony @ Feb 20th 2007 5:07PM
with the invention of the Internet, I would think that a lot of you would do more research before posting comments and sounding so stupid. But what do I know.
RR @ Feb 20th 2007 5:08PM
Boring, it is just another camry
Aki @ Feb 20th 2007 5:16PM
"co-conspiring with the Japanese government to manipulate currency and block American access to the Japanese market. "
Yes, because we know currency values aren't decided by the world market, but by a bunch of people in the government.
Japan ISN'T blocking American imports. Why do these ignorant, dense posts keep cropping up?
Bob R. @ Feb 20th 2007 5:22PM
Just another boring Camry. Nice looking colour though.