Toyota Camry Hybrid turns a year old in India

Toyota, which pioneered hybrid technology in the global automotive market and since then has successfully introduced it in many developed markets, is celebrating the first anniversary of its first locally manufactured hybrid – the Camry Hybrid – in India, which debuted after the Prius.   

The Camry Hybrid combines a newly developed hybrid exclusive 2.5-litre beltless petrol engine with an electric motor. The vehicle runs on Hybrid Synergy Drive, which intelligently senses when to switch between the two power sources – petrol engine and electric motor. It controls the engine and motor output for optimum fuel efficiency. The battery supplies electricity to the motor, enhancing the driving power.

The vehicle is manufactured at a separate assembly line within Toyota Kirloskar Motor’s (TKM) second plant located in Bidadi, near Bangalore, in Karnataka. Globally India is the ninth country to manufacture Toyota hybrid vehicles.

According to Naomi Ishii, managing director, TKM, “The energy crisis and increasing pollution are some of the gravest problems faced by the world today. Toyota aims to lead the future of mobility by addressing these challenges. With innovation and automotive solutions Toyota endeavours to lead the way to the future of mobility and build ‘better cars and communities’ in Asia, in harmony with the environment. Toyota has yet again achieved an important milestone, with its cumulative global hybrid sales crossing the seven-million mark, in October.”

N Raja, director and senior VP (Sales and Marketing) said: “We would like to see increasing sales of the Hybrid in India. We look forward to one and all joining us in this drive to popularise this technology and its use. We would like to thank our customers for their encouraging response. We have so far sold 541 units of Camry Hybrid, since launch. Currently 75 percent of Camry sales are hybrid. The vehicle has been appreciated for its ideal combination of a luxury sedan and hybrid technology. Looking at the response we are encouraged to consider bringing more hybrid vehicles to India.  ”