Camry this, Camry that ...

By ALASTAIR SLOANE

Toyota is a long-time market leader in sales in New Zealand - but a warning about maintaining build quality at its Australian plant means it must continue to improve.

Toyota Australia president Ken Asano said months ago that the Altona assembly plant, something of a benchmark for production quality, could not match the standard set by one of the Japanese carmaker's new plants in Thailand.

The motoring industry has changed in the past few years. Power is in the hands of fewer big companies, all trying to set new standards. When one plant falls behind, jobs are at risk.

Asano's role is to ensure that the Altona plant is the best that it can be, that build quality remains exemplary.

The facelifted Camry, which went on sale in New Zealand last week, is built at Altona. More than 500,000 Camrys have came out of the plant, including 150,000 for export markets in the Asia-Pacific.

Asano's vigilance means that the Camry's quality will be maintained so it should continue to dominate its market segments in New Zealand.

So far this year, the Camry 220 sedan and wagon lead the medium four-cylinder segment. The wagon itself has a 10 per cent sales advantage over its nearest rival.

In the medium six-cylinder segment, the 3-litre Camrys have a commanding 36 per cent lead.

"The success of Camry in New Zealand is reflected in many other countries, including the United States where it has been the top-selling car for the past three years," says Toyota New Zealand product manager Spencer Morris.

"The new Camry line-up provides people with even better value for money, a major factor in attracting new customers."

The entire range has been restyled, offering exterior and interior changes and upgraded equipment levels. The redesigned exterior mirrors, for example, cut wind noise.

Recommended retail prices range from $34,800 for the five-speed manual GL sedan to $47,000 for the V6 Touring. But optional items will force up the price of some models.

The V6 wagon is an addition to the line-up, bringing the total to nine variants - five sedans and wagons powered by the 94kW 2.2-litre engine and four using the quad-cam 141kW V6. Manual or automatic transmissions are available across the range.

Toyota categorises the V6 Touring as a "sports wagon," with its all-round independent suspension reworked to provide better directional stability, a flatter ride and good grip.

It comes with 16-inch alloy wheels fitted with 205/60 performance tyres. Other exterior features include roof-rails and a rear spoiler.

Inside, the V6 Touring gets a six-speaker radio-CD system, air-conditioning, cruise control, special seat trim and leather coverings on the steering wheel, gear lever and parking brake. Safety equipment includes anti-lock brakes, dual front airbags and anchor points for child restraints.

All Camrys come with more powerful headlights, using lenses which improve high and low-beam penetration and spread.

The front radiator grilles are now a two-bar design.

The sedans have redesigned bumpers with chrome inserts, larger rear indicator and brake lights and a redesigned boot lid to suit the lights.

Alloy wheels are standard on the GX sedan and the Touring wagon and other models get updated wheel covers. Anti-lock ABS brakes are optional on six of the nine models and passenger airbags on four models.

The two GX models feature a leather-covered steering wheel and woodgrain-like surrounds on the centre console and instrument panel. The audio systems have larger, more user-friendly controls.

Each Camry has a variable speed warning system combined with the digital clock. The speed alert, adjustable in 5 km/h increments from 40 km/h to 130 km/h, sounds a warning and flashes the LCD display when the car exceeds the pre-set speed.