Plugging Camry into Co-op way

Andrew McKenzie (left), Ian Graham and Sautander Sikand. Photo / Graham Sedal

Auckland Co-operative Taxi driver Sautander (Bobby) Sikand has just taken delivery of the first Camry Hybrid taxi in the Co-op fleet.

Drivers for the company have in the past used a number of Prius Hybrids and have been waiting anxiously for the new Camry Hybrid. Long-serving salesman at Albany Toyota, Mark Lydon, has spent the past two years chatting to Co-op taxi about the advantages of the Camry as a passenger vehicle.

"I first made contact with operations manager Jill Purser and then met Barrie White who's the general manager, and eventually the chairman Ian Graham.

"I organised a meeting with them almost a year and half ago and started talking to them re the Prius G3 Hybrid and took a vehicle to show them," said Lydon.

Over the next few months Lydon kept in contact, keeping the Co-op up to date with developments and technical specifications.

He also took Graham up to Ardmore to demonstrate the Prius and the new Camry Hybrid. Toyota New Zealand then appeared at the Taxi Federation meeting with the Camry. Lydon also would pop into Co-op's business base and chat with the drivers, also keeping them up to date with release dates and developments.

"As I got more and more information about the Camry I made sure I forwarded it on to the drivers and everyone else. With the help of the board directors at the Co-op and Jill [Purser] we started to make progress and the first orders for the Hybrid started coming through," said Lydon.

For years and years the Co-op used Fords and Holdens and many other dealerships had been trying to get in the door but it was Lydon, who, over the years, had built up a relationship. It wasn't until he started working at Albany Toyota with CEO Andrew McKenzie that the project could really be pushed forward.

"Although there's 60 or 70 Prius cars used by the Co-op and its drivers, a lot of the drivers who were ready for a change of vehicle held off and waited until the Camry was available. They wanted to see the Camry and wanted it on the fleet," said Lydon.

"The board at the Co-op and the drivers have been wanting to see this car for a long time. It's not so much what the Camry has technically over the Prius, it's just that the Camry is more of a taxi vehicle for size.

"It's got more boot space, interior is bigger, the rear door opening space, for a car in its class, is probably the widest there is. They open to almost 80 degrees to the body of the car. This makes it much easier for people to get in and out.

"The response to the car has been brilliant throughout the Co-op."

Due to the popularity of the Camry model throughout the rest of the world supply is a bit tight at the moment, but things are looking up. The first one is now in the hands of Bobby Sikand and earning its keep and new shipments are starting to come into the country.

"What you've also got take into consideration is getting the vehicles through customs and to the actual dealership. It all takes time," said Lydon.

Toyota Albany CEO McKenzie is pleased his company is to be involved in integrating the new Camry Hybrid into the taxi Co-op.

"We're very proud to be the very first Toyota dealership to put a Camry Hybrid into Co-op Taxis. It's been a long job getting them on board and they saw fit to use Albany Toyota as their preferred dealer and we're really proud of that."

A HYBRID OF INNOVATIVE IDEAS

* As one of the best-selling passenger cars around the world for a number of years, the new Hybrid Camry continues to redefine standards for comfort and performance.

* The 2010 Hybrid Camry has an array of enhancements, inside and out, including exterior styling, performance, safety, audio and convenience features.

* The exterior enhancements will include a unique hybrid grille, a distinct front bumper, a wider lower intake, restyled fog lights and 16-inch alloy wheels.

* The car is equipped with Toyota's industry-leading Hybrid Synergy Drive, certified as an Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV) is just one of a handful of cars that meets this strict standard, producing more than 70 per cent less smog-forming emissions than the average new car.

* Inside, Camry and LE models are available with an optional audio system equipped with a new USB port for auxiliary music sources, Bluetooth, integrated satellite radio, six-disk CD player and MP3 and streaming music capability.

* There are blue-tinted headlamps, a satin chrome front grille, clear LED tail lamps, 16 inch alloys and front fog lights.

* The i-Tech has an upgraded sound system, EMV (Electronic Multi-Vision) screen with navigation, electrochromatic rear view mirror and rain-sensing wipers.

* Previously an option, all Camry petrol models will now be equipped with Vehicle Stability Control with traction control. Auto up/down power windows with jam protection on all four doors are standard equipment. Camry Hybrid adds a newly designed dash cluster and Fraichir, a combination of silk protein and synthetic fibre, cloth seat covers that are gentle to the skin.

* The hybrid engine develops 140kW and by pairing its unique Atkinson-cycle engine to a highly efficient electric motor you get power and efficiency with a fuel consumption figure of 6.0L/100km (figures may vary with driving styles and driving conditions).

* The petrol engine is a 2.4 litre four-cylinder Atkinson cycle petrol engine producing 187Nm of torque with an Electronic Continuously Variable Transmission (E-CVT) automatic transmission driving the front wheels.

* Steering and suspension have been tuned for Australian roads and may be a bit stiffer than New Zealand drivers are used to but it makes for crisper handling.

* Additional information www.toyota.com