2011 Toyota Camry

The newly freshened Toyota Camry features a new 4-cylinder offering and six-speed transmission, as well as a hybrid model with Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive (discussed in a separate report). The Camry's competitive set is comprised mostly of the archrival Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, Ford Fusion, and Chevy Malibu.

Toyota quietly slipped the new four-cylinder, six-speed powertrain under the hood of its Camry sedan for 2010. Featuring the 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine that was introduced into the RAV4 for 2009, the '10 Camry also gains a choice of six-speed manual and automatic transmissions, as well as modestly revised styling.

Power is up to 169-horsepower for the LE and XLE and 179-horsepower for the more sporting-oriented SE. A six-speed manual transmission takes the place of a five-speed manual on LE and SE and a six-speed automatic is now standard on the XLE, optional on the LE and SE.

Fuel economy is up to 22 mpg in town for either transmission and 32 mpg on the highway for the automatic or 33 mpg for the manual. Automatic transmission models still trail the Chevrolet Malibu by 1 mpg and the Ford Fusion by 2 mpg.
V6 and Hybrid models carry over mechanically.

All models, including the hybrid, gain new, larger projection headlamps, a larger grille and lower intake and restyled tail lamps and wheels.

Available in CE, LE, SE, and XLE models, the Camry offers a model for most new car buyers.

Entry-level buyers will find a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine which outputs 169 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 167 lb-ft of peak torque at 6,000 rpm. Buyers of the V6 package get the 3.5-liter engine with a power output of 268 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 248 lb-ft of torque.

Buyers of the four-cylinder engine will have a choice of six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmissions, while those who opt for the V6 will get the six-speed automatic with sequential mode to allow drivers to shift manually if they desire.

Safety does not suffer in this, the new generation of Camry. Dual-stage front, side-seat, side-curtain, and driver's knee airbags are standard throughout the Camry lineup. Stopping power is assisted with an anti-lock braking system (ABS) as well as Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) component. An optional Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) assists to reclaim traction in turns.

Camry CE offers the traditional ride that previous owners have come to expect. Macpherson struts in front and dual-link strut rear suspension are standard. Camry SE buyers are treated to a more firm, spirited feel, by way of chassis modifications to the springs, shock absorbers and bushings, as well as the addition of underbody stabilizing braces to increase torsional rigidity.

The Camry, LE, and XLE all ride on standard 16-inch steel or aluminum wheels while the sportier SE model is equipped with 17-inch, six-spoke aluminum wheels as standard.

Standard equipment includes air conditioning, power windows and door locks, color-keyed side mirrors, tilt and telescoping steering wheel, and a six-speaker 160-watt AM/FM/CD audio system with auxiliary audio jack. To make the ride even more entertaining, opt for the voice-activated navigation system with 440-watt JBL premium audio package.

Toyota Reports June and First-Half Sales

orrance, CA. - Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., today reported June sales of 140,604 units. With equal selling days in June 2009 and June 2010, sales were up 6.8 percent over the year-ago month on a daily selling rate (DSR) and unadjusted raw volume basis.

The Toyota Division posted June sales of 123,272 units, an increase of 7.4 percent over the same period last year. The Lexus Division reported June sales of 17,332 units, an increase of 2.7 percent over the year-ago month.

For the first-half of the year, TMS reported sales of 846,542 units. With 151 selling days in the first-half of 2010, compared to 152 selling days during the first-half of 2009, sales were up 10.6 percent on a DSR basis over the same period last year. On a raw volume basis, unadjusted for one extra selling day in 2009, sales were up 9.9 percent during the first-half of the year.

"Toyota performed well during the first half of the year, despite a difficult economic environment," said Jim Lentz, president and chief operating officer of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. "Although the entire automotive industry struggled in June as weakening consumer confidence weighed on sales, Toyota maintains its leadership position as the number one retail brand in the industry year-to-date."

Toyota Division
Toyota Division passenger cars recorded June sales of 73,811 units, a decrease of 2.2 percent from the year-ago month. Passenger car sales were led by Camry and Camry Hybrid which posted combined June sales of 28,435 units, up 7.7 percent over June 2009. Corolla recorded sales of 21,876 units, up 9.7 percent over the same period last year. The Prius mid-size gas-electric hybrid reported sales of 10,998 units. The new Avalon sedan posted monthly sales of 2,833 units, up 32.8 percent over the year-ago month.

Toyota Division light trucks posted sales of 49,461 units in June, up 25.9 percent over June 2009. Light truck sales were led by the RAV4 compact SUV, which recorded monthly sales of 12,573 units, up 25.1 percent over the same period last year. Highlander and Highlander Hybrid posted combined sales of 5,962 units for the month. The Tundra full-size pickup recorded sales of 7,717 units, up 48.8 percent over the same period last year. The Tacoma mid-size pickup posted sales of 8,247 units for the month. The all-new Sienna minivan reported sales of 9,357, up 71.9 percent over June 2009.

Scion posted June sales of 3,745 units. The xB urban utility vehicle led the way with sales of 1,775 units. The tC sports coupe posted June sales of 1,137 units. The xD reported sales of 833 units for the month.

Lexus Division
Lexus reported passenger car sales of 8,149 units, down 6.6 percent from the year-ago month. Lexus passenger car sales were led by the ES entry luxury sedan which posted sales of 3,366 units. The IS line-up reported combined sales of 2,863 units.

Lexus light trucks recorded sales of 9,183 units, up 12.7 percent over last June. Lexus Division sales were led by the RX 350 and RX 450h, which reported combined June sales of 7,796 units, up 6.0 percent over the year-ago month. With June sales of 1,120 units, GX luxury SUV posted a gain of 111.7 percent over the same period last year.

TMS Hybrids
TMS posted June sales of 14,639 hybrid vehicles. Toyota Division posted sales of 12,706 hybrids for the month. Lexus Division reported sales 1,933 hybrids in June.

There were 25 selling days this month and last June.

Toyota starts recall over engine flaw

Toyota has started recalling Lexus and Crown luxury vehicles in Japan over an engine defect, and says actions in overseas markets will follow soon.

Toyota Motor Corp said actions in overseas markets would follow soon.

The world's top automaker told the Japanese government on Monday it was recalling 91,903 vehicles in Japan for flaws in the valve springs.

The defect could make the vehicle stall while it is moving.

Toyota disclosed the problem last week and said it planned action. It affects some 270,000 vehicles around the world.

The company said it has received 220 complaints about the problem but no crashes had been reported.

Toyota starts recall in Japan over engine defect

TOKYO – Toyota has started recalling Lexus and Crown luxury vehicles in Japan over an engine defect in the latest setback for the automaker beset with quality problems.

Toyota Motor Corp. said actions in overseas markets will follow soon.

The world's top automaker told the government Monday it is recalling 91,903 vehicles in Japan for flaws in the valve springs. The defect could make the vehicle stall while it is moving.

Toyota disclosed the problem last week and said it planned action. It affects some 270,000 vehicles around the world. About 138,000 of the Lexus vehicles are in the U.S.

The company said it has received 220 complaints about the problem but no crashes have been reported.