Taxpayers' $35m didn't help Hybrid Camry sales

TOYOTA'S locally built Hybrid Camry has flunked its first year, selling thousands fewer than expected

TOYOTA'S locally built Hybrid Camry has flunked its first year, selling thousands fewer than expected and attracting just 1400 private buyers despite millions in government funding.

The petrol-electric car, the first project awarded federal green car money, scored just 7106 registrations over its first 12 months on sale - 29 per cent below Toyota's forecast of 10,000.

A breakdown of the official figures obtained by The Weekend Australian shows the registration total overstates demand for the car, with almost one in five being used as a dealer demonstrator or by Toyota itself.

This tactic meant a huge spike in December registrations but January demand plummeted to just 273, the weakest month so far.

Launched in February last year, the Hybrid Camry was expected to attract 4000 private buyers in its first 12 months.

Despite 2.9 per cent finance on the $36,990 list price and rising petrol costs, private buyers have shunned the technology in favour of imported diesel-engined cars.

Business buyers have also been reluctant, with about 1400 Hybrid Camrys registered by fleets and fewer than 200 in service as taxis. Industry insiders say the purchase of 600 Hybrid Camrys by Hertz Car Rental was only won thanks to a hefty discount.

The most enthusiastic buyers have been governments, which have registered 1841, or 26 per cent of the total.

Industry Minister Kim Carr defended the project yesterday. Canberra pumped $35 million from the $1.3 billion Green Car Innovation Fund into the car.

Toyota was contacted for comment but did not respond.