The name "Camry" comes from a phonetic transcription of the Japanese word kanmuri (冠, かんむり), which means "crown", as did the names of the Toyota Crown and Toyota Corona.
The sixth generation Camry went on sale in March 2006. It was significantly redesigned, with a 56 mm longer wheelbase, but the overall length remained the same. It was introduced at the 2006 North American International Auto Show 1 alongside a hybrid version.
The sixth generation Toyota Camry sold in some countries in Asia and the Middle East have different exterior body parts and a similar interior to the Camry depicted. This model is also sold as the Toyota Aurion.
Sales in the United States, the primary market for the Camry, significantly increased in the year following release. Quarterly record sales totalled 46,630 for second quarter of the American 2007 model year.
International Production
Toyota Camrys are produced at Georgetown, Kentucky, USA, Aichi, Japan, Melbourne, Australia, and in China (for the Chinese market only). The Camry sold in China shares the front and rear design used for the Australian 6 cylinder 'Aurion' (see below).
On 20 April 2007, Camry manufacturing began at Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. in Lafayette, Indiana USA, with intended production of about 100,000 units per year.
A Camry manufactured in Japan is denoted with a VIN starting with "J", as well as a small hatch on the passenger's side of the front bumper containing equipment that is compatible with Japanese towing systems; US-made models are denoted with a VIN starting with "4".
Camry Hybrid
The sixth-generation Toyota Camry is first generation in which the Camry has been available as a gasoline/electric hybrid. The Camry Hybrid utilizes Toyota’s second generation Hybrid Synergy Drive and contains a 4-cylinder engine in conjunction with a 40 HP electric motor. The Camry is currently the third Toyota model to be offered as a hybrid, the others being the Toyota Prius and the Toyota Highlander.
Camry Hybrids were initially built solely in Japan. The majority of production, however, has since shifted to Toyota’s Georgetown, Kentucky plant, which is projected to produce 45,000 of the vehicles per year.
EPA fuel economy estimates for the 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid are 40 MPG (City) and 38 MPG (Highway). EPA’s revised method of estimating fuel economy for 2008 and subsequent model years, which now considers the effects of air conditioning, rapid acceleration and cold temperatures, estimates 33 MPG (City) and 34 MPG (Highway).
Australia and New Zealand
The sixth generation Camry went on sale in Australia and New Zealand on August 20, 2006. For the first time in 18 years, it is marketed in those countries as a four cylinder model only. The simplified model range consists of the 'Altise', 'Sportivo', 'Ateva', and 'Grande' (in ascending order in terms of price). The Grande model was the first Australian-made Camry to be fitted with rain-sensing wipers, stability control, traction control and Bluetooth connectivity. Stability control was not available across the range until August 2007.
The six cylinder version of the Camry is sold as a separate model, the Toyota Aurion. It has a slightly different interior, and different front and rear body panels. Australia and New Zealand are the only markets in the world that have two 'Camry' body styles available concurrently.
Safety and Reliability
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave the 2007 Toyota Camry and the Camry Hybrid a five-star safety rating for frontal crashes for both driver and passenger. Both models also received a five-star safety rating for side impact crashes for driver and passenger. The Camry received a four-star safety rating for rollovers. The Camry Hybrid was not tested for rollovers.
The sixth generation model Toyota Camry received a four-star safety rating as a result of Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) testing.
Consumer Reports 2007 Annual Car Reliability Survey gave the V6 version of the Toyota Camry a "below average" rating, thus removing the V6 Camry from Consumer Reports' "Recommended" list. This rating does not apply to the four cylinder and hybrid versions, which continued to be recommended.
