Toyota drops petrol Camry, switches to hybrid only

It was once one of the most sought-after cars in the country, but a change in buying habits has forced Australia’s top car maker to change tack.

The next-generation Camry will be available as a hybrid model only. Picture: Supplied.

Toyota won’t offer a normal petrol version of its popular Camry sedan when the new model arrives in the second half of next year.

The maker has announced that the next-generation Camry will be hybrid-only in response to buyer demand.

The brand recently pulled the Camry hybrid from sale indefinitely, citing a two-year backlog of orders for the car, which is popular with taxi and uber drivers because of its efficiency.

There are no such waiting times for the petrol model, which now only makes up 10 per cent of Camry sales.

The new Camry will be the first Toyota in Australia with the brand’s 2.5-litre, four-cylinder engine and fifth-generation hybrid system.

The brand says the new set-up will deliver a more “engaging drive experience”, thanks to lighter, more compact electric motors that produce more power and better performance than their predecessors.

The next generation Camry will only be available as a hybrid. Picture: Supplied.

The petrol engine will rev at lower speeds while power from the traction battery will be increased to improve thrust off the mark.

The car’s suspension has also been retuned for better road holding and stability.

Toyota has long been a leader in hybrid technology but has been criticised by environmental groups for being slow to adopt electric vehicles.

Although it has been selling hybrids with electric motors since the turn of this century, it is yet to launch an electric vehicle in this country.

Toyota Australia Vice President Sales and Marketing Sean Hanley has been a passionate defender of the company’s strategy, arguing that a multi-pronged approach to reducing emissions is better than a wholesale, rapid switch to battery powered electric vehicles.

Toyota argues that hybrids have a place in the race to reduce vehicle emissions. Picture: Supplied.

He says the proof of the strategy is in the popularity of its hybrid range. Aside from Camry, the order backlog for the hybrid RAV4 also stretches beyond two years.

“Moving exclusively to a hybrid Camry clearly signals the ongoing success of Toyota’s multi-pathway approach to helping customers lower their carbon footprint through electrification while leaving no-one behind,” Mr Hanley says.

“Beyond the broad appeal of hybrid technology under the bonnet, we anticipate strong demand for the new Camry with its distinctive design, impeccable craftsmanship and premium interiors along with new-generation advances to dynamics, safety and convenience,” he says.

The new Camry has adopted Toyota’s new corporate styling, with a prominent grill and slim LED headlights.

The current Camry hybrid has proved popular with customers. Picture: Supplied.

The car will also debut new safety technology, including an emergency SOS button, automatic notification of emergency services following a collision and stolen vehicle tracking.

There will also be a version of Siri that can call up navigation instructions, adjust audio controls and change the cabin temperature via voice prompts.

Hanley said the company would continue to work to improve delivery times for the current model Camry hybrid, although it is likely that buyers who ordered the current model will likely have to pay extra for the new one.

“I want to assure all Toyota customers that we are doing everything possible to increase supply for Australia and to expedite delivery of vehicles as they arrive,” he says.

“Our global production teams have consistently adopted countermeasures that have improved the supply of components affected by global shortages, such as semiconductors,” he says.

The supply shortages have affected the company’s sales results in the first ten months of this year. While sales of new cars are expected to grow to record levels this year, Toyota sales are down on last year.