Autoblog

2010 Toyota Prius and 2011 Camry pricing rises a bit

Frank Filipponio — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 09:31:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Hybrid, Sedan, Hatchback, Toyota

2010 Toyota Prius - Click above for high-res image gallery

Toyota has released pricing for their extensively upgraded 2011 Sienna and although the starting prices were down a bit compared to the current models, we can't say the same for the Prius and Camry. Tacked to the bottom of the Sienna presser was a chart showing that prices will be going up for the 2010 hatch and its 2011 sedan sibling. The new-in-2009 third-gen Toyota Prius will be $400 dearer, with base MSRPs ranging from $21,400 for the level I model all the way up to $28,070 for the level V. Those prices don't include delivery, processing and handling charges of $750.

The 2011 Toyota Camry prices will go up $200 across the board, while Camry Hybrid prices rise $250 to a starting price of $26,400. The base Camry with a stick now starts at $19,595, while a top-of-the-line V6 XLE is still under thirty grand, at $29,245. Those figures are up by about one percent for the Camry and 1.7 percent for the Prius. The 2011 Toyota Camry will go into production on January 6 in Japan with U.S. production starting February 1. The 2011 models should start showing up in dealerships by the end of January. The Prius price increase becomes effective January 24, 2010. Make the jump for the full details.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Toyota Prius

Gallery: Detroit 2009: 2010 Toyota Camry

[Source: Toyota]

Continue reading 2010 Toyota Prius and 2011 Camry pricing rises a bit

2010 Toyota Prius and 2011 Camry pricing rises a bit originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Dec 2009 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cut It Out: Toyota's recalled pedal modification remedy detailed step-by-step

Chris Paukert — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 13:57:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Recalls, Safety, Lexus, Toyota

Toyota/Lexus gas pedal recall modification - click above for gallery

Late last month, Toyota announced that it would begin its biggest recall action ever, summoning 3.8 million cars and trucks back to its dealers to combat "pedal entrapment" by cutting down the accelerator pedals of customer cars to avoid them getting hung-up on floormats, resulting in "unintended acceleration." Although Toyota plans to eventually substitute redesigned units for the shaved pedals (beginning in April), for the moment, it's shaved pedals or nothing.

Up until now, we didn't know what went into the modification process or how the finished pedal looks, as Toyota has worked hard to keep this process confidential. However, thanks to an anonymous Autoblog reader who happens to work in service at a Lexus franchise, we now have a much better idea of what goes into the process. Our source reveals that he's only witnessed the alteration carried out on a ES350, not the IS or any other Toyota model, but we imagine the process is quite similar for other vehicles.

In any case, the procedure is surprisingly involved, with the automaker providing the following tools to every dealership: A cutter, an electric sanding wheel, a gauge to measure how much of the pedal is to be removed and a smaller foam block to go under the carpet. Lexus is disbursing people from its area offices to train dealer technicians on the process, and Toyota is undoubtedly doing the same.

We'll let our source take it from here:

"We will have to remove the gas pedal from the vehicle and place it on a vise. Using the gauge, we are to mark the amount to be removed and cut it off. After this, we take the sanding wheel and angle the edges to make a smooth contoured surface that both looks nice and will not stick to the floor carpet or floor mat.

Also included in the repair is to replace a foam block under the floor carpet with a smaller one to lower the height of the floor slightly behind the gas pedal. What was explained to us is the foam block is glued to the bottom of the floor carpet from the factory. The block will need to be removed by heating the top side of the floor carpet with a hair dryer - not a heat gun. This is to prevent burning of the floor carpet.

(Click through to the jump for the rest of the process and more details)

Gallery: Toyota/Lexus gas pedal recall modification

Continue reading Cut It Out: Toyota's recalled pedal modification remedy detailed step-by-step

Cut It Out: Toyota's recalled pedal modification remedy detailed step-by-step originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Dec 2009 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BREAKING: Toyota to recall 3.8M vehicles to reshape and replace pedals

Chris Paukert — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 10:03:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Recalls, Safety, Toyota

Toyota has announced that it will recall some 3.8 million cars and trucks to reshape and/or replace their accelerator pedals. The action is the result of fears that loose floormats may cause the accelerator pedal to stick, increasing the risk of an accident. The recall will be the largest in the Japanese automaker's history, and it will cover a wide range of vehicles from the 2004 model year through 2010 - a complete list is available after the jump. The move comes after an earlier action where Toyota announced it would recall 3.8 million vehicles to only swap floor mats.

Working with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Toyota will effect the recall by sending letters to owners of its Avalon, Camry, and Lexus ES 350 models by year's end. Five other models, including the Prius, Tacoma, Tundra, and Lexus IS 250/IS 350 will receive similar notices sometime in 2010.

The plan includes training dealer service representatives to reshape gas pedals, and Toyota will develop and ship redesigned gas pedals beginning in April. Those customers who have elected to have their pedals initially reshaped will still be able to have the pedal replaced when the updated unit becomes available. Vehicles fitted with Toyota or Lexus-made all-weather floor mats will also receive a new set of redesigned front mats.

Interestingly, Toyota will also install a a brake override system that will turn off the engine if both the accelerator and the brake are depressed simultaneously. According to Automotive News, this update will occur on "involved Camry, Avalon, and Lexus ES 350, IS 350 and IS 250 models 'as an extra measure of confidence.'" This action appears to be limited to vehicles that employ Toyota's push-button start system, but interestingly its hybrid-only Prius has apparently been excluded.

For its part, Toyota says the cost of the action will come entirely from its dedicated recall fund, a $5.6 billion dollar stash, and therefore, the recall will have "no effect" on its business. The news come on the heels of yesterday's announcement that Toyota will recall 2000-2003 Tundra pickups over frame rust issues.

A complete list of vehicles covered under the action and both NHTSA and Toyota's official press releases are available after the jump.

[Sources: Reuters; Automotive News; NHTSA; Toyota]

Continue reading BREAKING: Toyota to recall 3.8M vehicles to reshape and replace pedals

BREAKING: Toyota to recall 3.8M vehicles to reshape and replace pedals originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 Nov 2009 10:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Toyota U.S. president Lentz believes Prius could supplant Camry as brand's best seller

Chris Shunk — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:31:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Hatchback, Toyota

2010 Toyota Prius - Click above for high-res image gallery

The Toyota Camry has been the best selling car in the US for 11 of the past 12 years, and only a total industry meltdown has managed to slow the Japanese automaker's bread-and-butter sedan. Even with that impediment, the Camry still has a comfortable lead versus its archrivals, the Honda Accord and Nissan Altima. In fact, the only vehicles to routinely beat the Camry in overall vehicle sales are the Ford F-Series and Chevrolet Silverado, and those vehicles need dozens of configurations and both regular and heavy-duty variants to retain their overall sales leads. Conversely, the Prius isn't even the second best-selling Toyota right now (that would be the Corolla), but it wouldn't surprise Toyota USA President Jim Lentz if the ubiquitous hybrid hatch passed the Camry for sales supremacy sometime next decade.

Lentz reportedly told Wards Auto that he envisions the Prius passing the Camry in the next decade, but not because he foresees the midsize sedan slipping. Instead, Lentz says, "I think Prius will become just that much stronger." The reason Toyota's top U.S. man sees the Prius taking over Toyota's top sales spot is because he feels that rising gas prices and growing eco-awareness will push more car buyers into hybrids. That, combined with the high regard in which many Americans hold the Prius makes for a very compelling long-term argument. Lentz also says that a full lineup of Prius-badged vehicles is far from a sure thing, though he says he pushes executives in that direction each time he visits Toyota's Japan headquarters

While we can see a future where the Prius overtakes the Camry for sales supremacy, we don't see it happening any time soon. Toyota's world renowned hybrid had its best-ever sales year in 2007, and 2009 numbers promise to fall about 40,000 units short of that bogey. Did we mention that the Camry is still outselling the Prius at a nearly three-to-one clip?

Gallery: Review: 2010 Toyota Prius

[Source: Wards Automotive]

REPORT: Toyota U.S. president Lentz believes Prius could supplant Camry as brand's best seller originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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All four new Nationwide Series cars tested at Talladega

John Neff — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:59:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, Toyota

Nationwide Series cars testing at Talladega - Click above for high-res image gallery

We've already shown you the new Ford Mustang and Dodge Challenger cars that will soon be running in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, but Chevy also introduced a new Impala car and Toyota a new Camry. All four new cars were out at Talladega Superspeedway today for some test runs, which gives us our first chance to view the new, more production-like bodies in the revealing light of day.

What we've learned is that all four manufacturers - Ford, Chevrolet, Dodge and Toyota - worked with NASCAR to develop the new body types that look markedly more like their production counterparts than cars raced in the upper level Sprint Cup. Those cars, based on the NASCAR Car of Tomorrow chassis, look identical from the bleachers, making the task of identifying your favorite brand practically impossible. Not so with the new Nationwide Series cars. They actually have distinct shapes that clearly communicate which pony car and/or family sedan you're watching race.

We wondered how much these new bodies would affect aerodynamics and give some brands with sleeker designs an edge, and we're told that all four cars are within "three horsepower of drag and just a few pounds of downforce." Those teams that might have an advantage are likely Chevrolet and Toyota, both of which opted to base their cars on family sedans - the Impala and Camry - with sleeker front ends. The Mustang and Challenger cars may suffer a disadvantage when it comes to wind with their more upright and recessed grilles, but Ford and Dodge will surely win the PR war with their iconic pony cars on the track.

Gallery: Nationwide Series tests four new cars at Talladega

[Source: NASCAR]

All four new Nationwide Series cars tested at Talladega originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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STUDY: Men can't help but enjoy fast cars - it's that testosterone thing again

Jonny Lieberman — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 15:26:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Sedan, Performance, Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Porsche, Toyota, Canada

Porsche Carrera 4S Cabriolet - Click above for high-res image gallery

Talk about a foregone conclusion. Researchers at Canada's John Molson School of Business at Concordia University in Montreal took thirty-nine typical young men (i.e. college guys) and placed them in one of two cars. The first was a Toyota Camry. The second was a Porsche 911 Cabriolet. They then let the men drive up and down on two streets. One was busy and filled with women. The other was deserted. After each little cruise, each man's saliva was measured for levels of testosterone. Results?

Interestingly, whether there were ladies present or not, the mens' testosterone didn't increase at all after driving the Camry. Can anyone else hear Toyota's CEO Akio Toyoda groaning? The Porsche? Well, this is interesting. When a young man drives down a skirt-filled street in a Porsche droptop, his testosterone level rises. And when then same young man drives down a totally empty road all by his lonesome in a Porsche convertible his testosterone level... rises. To the same level, in fact, as it did when all the ladies were around.

Says lead researcher Gad Saad, "In other words, just put a guy in a Porsche, and his testosterone levels shoot up, whether people watch or not." This biological reaction, according to Saad, is a form of "sexual signaling." A way of signaling to potential mates that the driver of said car is the best breeding stock, the best potential mate. Continues Saad, "It's saying, 'all you pretenders out there - you couldn't be driving this Aston Martin - you couldn't even rent it.'" Insert crack about auto journos borrowing it for a week here. Tip of the tuque to Jarrett!

Gallery: 2009 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S

[Source: CBC]

STUDY: Men can't help but enjoy fast cars - it's that testosterone thing again originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Oct 2009 15:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Toyota Corolla passes Ford Focus as top C4C car; program extended thru September

Jonny Lieberman — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Government/Legal

2009 Toyota Corolla XRS - click above image for high-res gallery

The more things change, the more they change back again. Or something. As of August 3, Reuters reports that the number one car Cash for Clunking consumers were purchasing was the long-in-the-tooth Ford Focus. Well, just two short days later, the Focus has been dethroned and Toyota's Corolla - the best selling car in the history of the world - has reportedly taken the crown. Two fun piece of relevant (if tangential) trivia - Corolla means "little crown" in Latin, and one example is sold about every 40 seconds, meaning that by the time you finish reading this post, two more will have found homes. In case you were wondering, Ford's price leader drops to number two and the Honda Civic has shifted into third place. Toyota has two other cars rounding out the top five, the Prius and the Camry. And just over 80% of the clunkers being traded-in are still trucks.

To date, 180,000 new cars have been sold as a result of the C4C program. So far, the program's total government expenditure amounts to just over $775 million. Late Wednesday, the Senate reached an agreement that would pour an additional $2 billion into C4C coffers. Additionally, consumers will now have until September 1 to trade in their old cars and receive a voucher for between $3,500 to $4,500. The new plan was largely pushed through by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who pointed out that Democrats have enough votes to approve the new plan as well as reject any changes to it. Cheers to Matt and several others for the tip.

Gallery: Review: 2009 Toyota Corolla XRS

Photos Copyright (C)2008 Dan Roth / Weblogs, Inc.
[Sources: Reuters via CNN Money; Fox News]

REPORT: Toyota Corolla passes Ford Focus as top C4C car; program extended thru September originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Aug 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sales Watch: Honda Accord sales creeping up on Toyota Camry?

Chris Shunk — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 14:02:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Trends, Sedan, Honda, Toyota

While the Honda Accord dominated the 1990s, it has been virtually all Toyota Camry in the new century. Yet a look back at the first six months of 2009 shows that the newer, larger Accord is continuing to gain ground on its chief rival. Camry sales have so far remained top in its segment, with 150,242 sales in the first half of the year. The Accord isn't far behind, though, as it has amassed 131,143 sales through June; only 19,199 behind Camry.

Wards Auto reports that the Accord's gains have been consistent over the past three years, as the sales gap went from 94,004 in 2006 to 80,877 in 2007 and 63,828 in 2008. With sales deeply depressed so far in 2009, though, the numbers can be a bit deceiving. Still, the Camry has seen a 37.4% drop in sales, as compared to 36.3% for the Accord.

Toyota told Wards that one reason for the Accord's improved sales verses the Camry are increasing incentives on the full-size Honda. According to Edmunds, the Accord's April incentives increased four-fold verses the automaker's April, 2008 numbers. Even more interesting is the fact that cash on the hood has increased since April, hitting $2,183 in June. The Camry, on the other hand, had $1,538 on the hood last month; down over $400 compared to May.

[Source: Wards Automotive]

Sales Watch: Honda Accord sales creeping up on Toyota Camry? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Jul 2009 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota Camry tops this year's Cars.com American-Made Index

John Neff — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:32:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Plants/Manufacturing, Toyota

Cars.com has once again published its annual American-Made Index that rates vehicles built within the United States based on their sales and percentage of domestic parts content. This year's list has a number of movers and shakers based mainly on the fact that a troubled economy has torpedoed sales of some models and others are now ineligible because their parent brands are being canceled.

The Ford F-150 has lost its top ranking in the American-Made Index for the first time since Cars.com began producing the list back in 2006. The new No. 1 is - gasp - the Toyota Camry. Assembled in Georgetown, KY and Lafayette, IN, the Camry's upswing in domestic parts content helped it barely edge out the F-150, which has seen both its sales and domestic parts content fall year-over-year. Toyota, in fact, had four models make the American-Made Index this year including the Sienna, Tundra and first-timer Venza.

General Motors placed the Chevrolet Malibu, Silverado and GMC Sierra, while Ford had the aforementioned F-150, and list newcomer Ford Taurus, which enjoys the highest domestic parts content of 90 percent. No Chrysler vehicles made the top ten, although one Honda did: the Lincoln, AL Odyssey has an 80 percent domestic parts content rating and thus sewed up the #10 spot. You can view the full list after the jump and visit Cars.com to read more about how the index was produced.

[Source: Cars.com]

Continue reading Toyota Camry tops this year's Cars.com American-Made Index

Toyota Camry tops this year's Cars.com American-Made Index originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BREAKING: Ford Mustang, Dodge Challenger reportedly headed to NASCAR in 2010

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 12:56:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, GM, Toyota

Whether or not you're a fan of NASCAR, the simple fact remains that none of the cars bear much resemblance to their factory counterparts, and it's not like the "Fusions" and "Chargers" are particularly sexy, either. So in an attempt to boost the series' viewers and souvenir sales, Fox Sports is reporting that Ford and Chrysler plan to introduce Mustang- and Challenger -bodied racers into the Nationwide series next year.

The new designs are due to be submitted for approval on June 26, and the 2010 NASCAR competitors are reportedly going to be visually closer to stock than anything we've seen since the new "aero-matched" cars began rolling out earlier this decade. Unfortunately, the new Mustang and Challenger cars will still be far removed from their stock siblings, and General Motors has apparently decided not to join its domestic rivals and produce a Camaro shell. Both GM and Toyota will reportedly run their current Impala and Camry bodies, respectively.

[Source: Fox Sports via Cars]

BREAKING: Ford Mustang, Dodge Challenger reportedly headed to NASCAR in 2010 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Jun 2009 12:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota has "no plans" to restart Camry Solara production?

Chris Shunk — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 10:58:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Plants/Manufacturing, Toyota

If you are in the market for a two-door Toyota convertible, you may want to rush to your local dealer and pick up one of the few Camry Solara models left on the lot. After reviewing demand for the Solara (the marque's lone convertible offering), Toyota has reportedly decided that reviving the somewhat homely two-door isn't worth doing. Last August, Toyota made a last-ditch effort to save the Solara convertible from extinction, but it was apparently a short-lived stay of execution. The droptop was put back on hiatus in December when the automotive downturn hit full force.

Since the convertible version of the Solara represented 70% of the model's sales last year, there was hope that demand would pick up closer to summer. Convertibles have been on the on the chopping block everywhere, though, as the Pontiac G6, Saturn Sky, Pontiac Solstice, Honda S2000, and Chrysler PT Cruiser have all been fitted for a toe tag over the past few months - Solara is merely another casualty.

Toyota will fill the void left by the subtraction of the Solara convertible at its Georgetown, Kentucky plant with the new Venza crossover. With only 23,000 units sold in 2008 and an assumed drop for 2009, we're guessing the popular new CUV will have little problem making up the shortfall. In the meantime, if you want a convertible from the Toyota family, you'll have to visit your local Lexus dealer for a new IS or SC.

[Source: Wards Auto]

Toyota has "no plans" to restart Camry Solara production? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Jun 2009 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota Camry Hybrid gets nip/tuck for ASEAN market intro

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 15:27:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Green, Toyota

Toyota Camry Hybrid for Thailand - Click above for a high-res image gallery

It may have taken a year to make it happen, but the locally-built Toyota Camry Hybrid is finally ready to go on sale in Thailand. This new version of the Camry Hybrid is the first of its kind (not assembled in Japan) and features unique new front and rear fascias that are derived from the Australian Aurion. Our take? The front grille is vaguely reminiscent of the three-bar chrome schnoz used by Ford in America, although it also reminds somewhat of the Venza, as well.

Although final pricing has not yet been announced, Toyota expects to sell the new Camry Hybrid in Thailand with just a small premium over the standard model due to a reduced 10% excise tax on locally-built hybrid vehicles. Thanks to this favorable pricing situation, Toyota expects the Hybrid to make up 60-70% of all Camry sales in the region. Soon, the Japanese automaker will begin exporting the Thai-built Camry Hybrid to other countries in Southeast Asia.

Gallery: Toyota Camry Hybrid for Thailand

[Source: Paul Tan]

Toyota Camry Hybrid gets nip/tuck for ASEAN market intro originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Jun 2009 15:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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No Mo' Bondo: Hapless Toyota Camry gets its fill of filler

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 13:19:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Toyota, Humor

The Toyota Camry Bondo Edition - click above for a gallery of images

Dear readers, this is what you get when you mix some serious damage, an aversion to body shops, a lot of time, and the belief that Bondo and duct tape can fix anything. This sad-looking fifth-generation Toyota Camry was spotted in Dallas by Final Gear user Spectre, and it appears to be wearing enough Bondo to give a nice boost to 3M's quarterly profits.

We applaud the effort on maintaining the window line as well as returning a Camry Coupe to Toyota's lineup, but we have to take points off for the roof bulge. If you can ignore the fact that it looks like the passenger side has been overrun by some sort of mutant mold and that it appears that you can't open the right side doors... well, there's not much else left to say about it, is there? Have a look for yourself in the gallery below. Hat tip to Pete!

Gallery: Bondo Camry

[Source: Final Gear]

No Mo' Bondo: Hapless Toyota Camry gets its fill of filler originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Apr 2009 13:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Melbourne 2009: Toyota HC-CV (Hybrid Camry Concept Vehicle)

Alex Nunez — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 23:59:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Hybrid, Sedan, Green, Misc. Auto Shows, Australia

Click above for a hi-res gallery of Toyota Australia's FC-CV

Next year, Toyota Australia will begin local production of the Camry Hybrid. To celebrate this (and drum up some PR), Toyota Style Australia has created the HC-CV (Hybrid Camry Concept Vehicle) for the 2009 Melbourne Motor Show. What is that, exactly? Well, it's essentially the recently-updated 2010 Camry Hybrid, gussied up with a custom white paint color, a modified fascia, some snazzy wheels, blue decals and accents, and leather seats that incorporate the Hybrid Synergy Drive wave logo. Strip away the assorted pieces of flair, and you get the production car that's already been unveiled, only with the steering wheel moved over to the wrong side. See more of the HC-CV in the gallery below.

Gallery: Toyota HC-CV

[Source: Toyota Australia]

Continue reading Melbourne 2009: Toyota HC-CV (Hybrid Camry Concept Vehicle)

Melbourne 2009: Toyota HC-CV (Hybrid Camry Concept Vehicle) originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 22 Feb 2009 23:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Refreshed 2010 Toyota Camry to start at $20,115

Chris Paukert — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 17:58:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Sedan, Toyota

Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2010 Toyota Camry

Toyota has just announced prices for its facelifted-for-2010 Camry, and the best-selling sedan will range from $19,395 for a six-speed manual, four-cylinder model (*$20,115 including destination charges) to $29,045 for the high-content V6 XLE automatic ($29,765 w/dest.). Hybrid buyers can expect to pay $26,150 ($26,870) before hitting the options list.

Those prices represent an increase of 1.2 percent ($281), which strikes us as reasonable in light of the updated interior, exterior, and content including standard stability control. 2010 Camry units begin hitting dealers next month. Click on the jump for the official press release and full pricing matrix.

Gallery: Detroit 2009: 2010 Toyota Camry

[Source: Toyota]
*UPDATE: Pricing corrected - Thanks for the tipoff, GB, et. all

Continue reading Refreshed 2010 Toyota Camry to start at $20,115

Refreshed 2010 Toyota Camry to start at $20,115 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 Feb 2009 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Detroit 2009: Toyota shows off 2010 Camry

Damon Lavrinc — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 13:48:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Sedan, Toyota

Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2010 Toyota Camry

In addition to the 2010 Toyota Prius and iQ-based FT-EV, ToMoCo is taking the wraps off the redesigned 2010 Camry at the Detroit Auto Show later today. Due to go on sale this March, the restyled Camry offers the same soul-sucking practicality and Maytag levels of usability as its forbearers, but features a few engineering and design tweaks to bring it into the next decade.

On the outside, the 2010 Camry receives a new front bumper with enlarged air intakes, uprated headlamps and a set of restyled taillights. The XLE model includes 16-inch, ten-spoke wheels, while the SE rolls on 17-inch hoops and the base LE makes due with wheel covers. Inside, a new optional stereo with USB port, Bluetooth, satellite radio, single CD and MP3 capability is fitted, and Vehicle Stability Control is now standard on all models. The Camry Hybrid gets a slightly reworked fascia, along with a new gauge cluster and silk protein/synthetic fiber cloth seats that Toyota claims are more gentle on the skin.

Under the hood of the base Camry, LE and XLE models is a refreshed, 169-hp 2.5-liter four equipped with VVT-i. The SE model uses the same engine, but comes packing another 21 hp and can be had with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic gearbox. Both the 268-hp, 3.5-liter V6 and the hybrid drivetrains soldier on unchanged.

Hit the jump for all the details and check the gallery below to see the tweaks for yourself.

UPDATE: Gallery of live shots added.

Gallery: Detroit 2009: 2010 Toyota Camry

Gallery: 2010 Toyota Camry

Continue reading Detroit 2009: Toyota shows off 2010 Camry

Detroit 2009: Toyota shows off 2010 Camry originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 11 Jan 2009 13:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: 2009 Toyota Camry XLE

Dan Roth — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 11:55:00 EST

Filed under: In the Autoblog Garage, Sedan, Toyota

2009 Toyota Camry XLE - Click above for high-res image gallery

A recent night of excitement: driving the Camry XLE to the Super Wal-Mart. So lame, but that's not the car's fault. Like Wal-Mart, the Camry has been excoriated as a work of Satan, antithetical to all that is American, never mind where it's built. Despite the gleeful way everyone always lobs shots at Toyota's midsizer, there's a lot of virtue here. After all, there has to be some kind of hook to this car attaining such vaunted status, besides the bounce-lending automotive cult of personality. Since nobody actually reviews the Camry - we just complain about it as it outsells everything else - we rustled up an XLE powered by Toyota's 2.4-liter four cylinder and tried it out.

Gallery: Review: 2009 Toyota Camry XLE

Continue reading Review: 2009 Toyota Camry XLE

Review: 2009 Toyota Camry XLE originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Sep 2008 11:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gilded Shame: gold-trimmed Camry spotted in Dubai

Noah Joseph — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Etc., Toyota

Click above for gallery of the gold-trimmed Camry

Taste: some have it, some don't. Case in point this Toyota Camry spotted in Dubai where the burgeoning middle class apparently wants to roll just like their oil-funded upper class but lack the money to secure a Rolls-Royce or Bentley. While we've reluctantly grown accustomed to customers opting for the gold-tone bright-wear instead of the standard chrome detailing - especially on cars like the Camry - this owner actually had the badges, grilles, side mirrors and wheels plated in 24k gold. Seriously.

If this somehow strikes you as a good idea, it can be yours for only 135,000 Dollars. Thankfully those are Arab Emirate Dollars, worth about $37 grand in American greenbacks. But please, if you're even thinking about it, contact us first and let us convince you of all the better ways you could spend $37k on a new car that won't instantly lose half its value the minute you take a wrong turn into a bad neighborhood.

Gallery: Gold-trimmed Toyota Camry

[Source: Auto Unleashed]

Gilded Shame: gold-trimmed Camry spotted in Dubai originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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As yen sweetens, Toyota sales sour

Michael Harley — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 16:02:00 EST

Filed under: Japan, Plants/Manufacturing, Toyota

Being Toyota doesn't grant you any additional immunity from simple global economics. Word from Tokuichi Uranishi, executive vice president of Toyota, is that one of the world's largest automakers is going to miss its sales target of 9.85 million vehicles for 2008.

Toyota execs cite slowing sales in the United States, Europe, and Japan as a primary factor. In addition, rising raw material costs are hurting the global automaker, which assembled 9.37 million vehicles in 2007. To top it off, a yen that hit a 13-year high against the dollar at the beginning of this week is cutting profits on exports from Japan.

It may be up to China, Russia, and Korea to pick up some of the slack. Those emerging Asian markets are active, and Toyota is looking at them for future growth. In a move towards achieving that goal, the Prius, Camry, and RAV4 sports-utility will be introduced in South Korea shortly. Sales are expected to be just 500 units per month initially, and then increase to upwards of 1,000 a month.

[Source: Automotive News, subs req'd]

As yen sweetens, Toyota sales sour originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Mar 2008 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota's racing investments finally paying off?

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 19:01:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Sedan, Truck, Marketing/Advertising, Toyota

Click above for high-res gallery from Kobalt Tools 500

Toyota is hoping that there is some life left in the old adage, "Win on Sunday, sell on Monday." While we can't imagine many NASCAR fans driving off the showroom floor in a brand new Camry because of Toyota's 1-2 finish at the Kobalt Tools 500, they do have a few full-size Tundra pickups that could use some help rolling out of dealer's lots. Toyota realizes this, and Les Unger, national motorsports manager of Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., notes that there are upcoming NASCAR races in pickup-rich areas like the Midwest, Southeast and Southwest, and Toyota also competes in the Craftsman Truck Series. We can expect to see plenty of NASCAR-specific marketing coming out of Toyota in the near future to promote its historic win, and with industry-giant Joe Gibbs behind Toyota's future NASCAR success, expect to see more of the Camry in the winners-circle.

[Source: Automotive News]

Toyota's racing investments finally paying off? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Mar 2008 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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