Speaking to Indian Autos Blog at the Toyota Camry media drive, Toyota Kirloskar Motors officials said learnings and features from the Brazilian Etios program could be used on the Etios and Liva but if they fit into the cost framework.
The Etios gets slightly different interior and height adjustable headrests among other features in the Brazilian market.
There is currently no plan to launch a diesel Camry but if eventually there is one, an existing diesel engine could be shoehorned under its bonnet.
Toyota decided to assemble the Camry in India due to the rupee depreciation and increase in duty on fully built cars.
They said the Camry's new 2.5-liter engine provides higher output and better fuel efficiency.
The Camry will be pitched to senior executives who are at lofty heights of the corporate ladder. It will be marketed primarily as a rear seat car. Toyota made extensive changes to the American Camry which includes fitting of new mechanical under-body components, to turn the driver-oriented mid-size sedan into a chauffer-driven vehicle. The main markets for the Camry are Australia, Middle East, USA and Japan, which are primarily petrol-driven. Lakhs of units are shifted to these markets every year. In India, the Camry sells about 300 units a year.
The Camry is not Toyota's volume puller, but for those who love Toyota, can there be an alternative? Toyota may price the new Camry at around 22 lakh rupees (ex-showroom).
