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MSRP for the all-new 2007 Camry sedan - $25,900. (http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2006/03/27/002097.html)

Auto Channel - Toyota Motor Sales - 03/27/2006

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/2007_THC.jpg

TORRANCE, CA - March 27, 2006: Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., announced manufacturer's suggested retail prices (MSRP) today for the all-new and much-anticipated 2007 Camry Hybrid.

The Toyota Camry, the best-selling car in America four years running and for eight of the past nine years, is completely new for 2007. The world-class sedan not only redefines global standards for comfort, performance and design, but also is available, for the first time, with Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive.

Toyota extends its hybrid leadership by making its exclusive Hybrid Synergy Drive available in the 2007 Camry. The Hybrid Synergy Drive System consists of gas and electric power sources that are complementary and produce a combined 187 horsepower. This system varies power between gas and electric, or both, as needed.

The first half of this system consists of a 2.4-liter four-cylinder Atkinson-cycle engine that generates 147 hp and is coupled to a continuously variable transmission. The second half of the Hybrid Synergy Drive equation consists of a small, high torque electric motor that produces 40 horsepower, an ultra-small inverter with a specially designed compact battery and a transaxle to provide the economy and seamless performance hybrid drivers seek.

Additionally, the Camry Hybrid is equipped with an "ECO" button that limits energy consumption by the Heating Ventilating Air Conditioning (HVAC) system and under certain conditions can help improve fuel economy.

Camry Hybrid comes with a long list of standard features. These include a tire-pressure monitor system, halogen headlamps with automatic on/off, a premium JBL audio system with an audio auxiliary jack and Bluetooth(R) technology, cruise control, a tilt and telescopic steering wheel, an eight-way-adjustable power driver's seat, a 60/40 split fold-down rear seat, 16-inch aluminum wheels, heated outside rear-view mirrors, dual-zone automatic climate control heating and air conditioning with a Plasmacluster(TM) ionizer, micro dust and pollen filter and much more. The Plasmacluster(TM) ionizer helps reduce airborne mold spores, microbes, fungi, odor, germs and bacteria inside the passenger cabin.

Because there are situations in daily driving in which the gas engine in a Toyota hybrid is completely shut down, air-conditioning and power-steering systems are driven electrically, rather than by the engine. This ensures these features will continue to operate, whatever the status of the Camry Hybrid's drive system.

The Camry Hybrid with Hybrid Synergy Drive will yield exceptional fuel efficiency with preliminary estimated ratings of 40 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway and 39 mpg in combined driving. Additionally, Camry Hybrid is expected to be certified as an Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV), just one of a handful of cars to meet the strict AT-PZEV standard.

The all-new Camry Hybrid will have a base MSRP of $25,900. The new Camry Hybrid will reach Toyota dealers this May.

25K isn't too bad. We will have to see what the real world mpg numbers show us. If that thing could get around 40 it might not be to bad. Still needs more trunk space though ;)

Hi Tom:

___I am still doing the comparisons between the THC and the LE/XLE to try and get a handle on the HSD premium. Not to bad this time around as far as total price but the bummer was an ~ 7.2% MSRP increase in the I4 based XLE over last gen’s 2006! And of course the premium’s and supposed shortages of the hybrid componentry which is bound to shove prices through the roof. If I hear hybrid HW shortages one more time, I am going to scream as there has been well over 3 years to ramp up production of any hybrid component known to man. The US went from manufacturing pre-war Stoves and Refrigerators to a massive number of Airplanes, Tanks, Guns, and Bombs in less then 2 years back in the early 40’s … So what about the Aisan transmissions or Panasonic NiMH packs again? I am sure you get the picture.

___Whatever happened to $250 or less over invoice? You can pick up a brand new 06 Camry LE w/ Side and Side Curtains in the $17.3 - $18K range vs. its MSRP of $21,605 incl dest. That is almost $4K off MSRP!

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Closer to $26K - but still very, very competitive. Any word on how many 'Yota is planning on making ? Because I'm seeing $2000 ADP markup all over this car, just like the Prius the last couple of years (only it was as much as $5K in Cali and some other places :mad: If I'm a 'Yota salesperson, I'm calling the spousal unit and telling them to book *another* vacation this year :rolleyes:

I saw this car at CAS - agreed on the trunk. I also am non-plussed on the interior - the Accord is still the tops of this class, IMO, from an ergonomic / styling standpoint. The 'bull nose' and Sonata / Accord rear turn me off, and the side profile looks like basically a carryover of the 6th-gen Camry. But if it gets people interested in better FE, and using less gasoline / oil,, I can't complain about that, at all.

Hopefully, Toyota learned their lesson with the Highlander and isn't planning on only building full-boat versions of the Camry Hybrid at the start. People aren't going to be too happy being told $26K and seeing whatever full-boat winds up being ($31K ?), with no discounting (and maybe even markup, as I mentioned above). Let's see what May brings :)

Hi Mark:

___Besides the markup garbage, that trunk issue is indeed a problem. Tom picked it up almost immediately while visiting the Chicago Auto Show last month and I too agree that it is much less utilitarian vs. the std. Camry’s of old and new …

___Something this release added was the FE changed from previous pre-releases EPA estimates of 43/37 to 40/38 in the above? Toyota must still be playing around with programming as this should have been locked down long before now :(

___Good Luck

___Wayne

$3K less than the HAH, better FE, folding rear seat and aux audio jack. **** the luck. Agreed on the curlie-ques of styling, etc, though- Honda walks over Toyota. But worth $3K? Ahh, the Honda built-in premium.

C'mon Ford, don't let me down, baby... Let's see that Fusion come in at $24.x!

$3K less than the HAH,
Add equivalent options (leather, ESC, etc) and stir. You'll find them very similarly priced. Honda packages their trim levels - Toyota takes the BMW approach (ie; a big option list with lots of checkboxes). Worse, if you want a specific option combo, you may wait a while for it, if it's not one of the pre-planned configurations coming out of the factory.
Personally, I wish I could have had the HAH without leather. But I did love those seat heaters. I envied our Canadian Accord driving cousins for years :p


better FE,

How many times we gotta tell you ? :p Those numbers are estimates. Ever notice how most people get about 75-80% of the EPA out of a HSD-equipped car, and the IMA-equipped car gets about 90%, with a greater # of Honda drivers exceeding ? Same thing applies. Wait and see ;) Note Wayne's point about them reducing the EPA numbers from 43/37 to 40/38 - they're good for that, as he'll attest to with the Corolla.


folding rear seat
Not in the Camry Hybrid - check it out. That's where the HSD battery sits -well, part of where it sits...LOL. Wonder where they got that idea... :D


and aux audio jack.

Oh, come on! Ya gotta try harder than that! I think you can now get the AUX jack as an add-in on the '06 HAH (modeled similarly after the one in the Civic), and I *know* the things are available in the aftermarket, if you really need one...I wouldn't buy a Camry over another car based on this alone :confused:


Agreed on the curlie-ques of styling, etc, though- Honda walks over Toyota. You know, neither one is going to win any cutting-edge styling competitions. Each has 400K copies to sell - so you're going to see 90th-percentile styling. But I do think Honda does a better interior, in general, than Toyota. 'Yota interiors remind me of GM - not bad, nothing special. But if I'm paying a premium over GM, it ****ed well better be different looking - including the font style / size on the switchgear labels. And by different looking, I don't mean putting all the controls on the center stack, so they can use one set of dash components on a global level. My seat is on the left, and I expect the main instruments on that side, for my and everyone else's safety. :(


But worth $3K? Ahh, the Honda built-in premium.
Again, equip them similarly. If you're shopping 'value for money', Honda generally wins on that criteria, IMHO. To me, Toyota is the 'least amount of car for the most amount of money' - but they're one of the best marketing companies I've ever seen. My company could learn a thing or two from them.


C'mon Ford, don't let me down, baby... Let's see that Fusion come in at $24.x! I hope so. I really hope so. If they have the same pricing delta as with the Escape hybrid, however, they're going to be toast. I'm so hoping they get the Fusion right - the first AMERICAN car company with a real, honest to goodness hybrid CAR in the production channel. I'll say: 3-4K over similar equipped Fusion - they'll sell ok. 2-2.5K over ICE-only Fusion ? They'll sell every one they can build - with no MSRP reductions for the 1st two years, if the dealers don't get greedy.

Hi Mark:

___About those additional option/package prices … You bet Toyota is going to slam those wanting to really equip it. Just ask any Prius II owner that asked for everything and paid > $30K for the darn thing!

___I am in love with the Accord’s leather look and will miss it greatly when the Accord goes. I like the Camry XLE and all Lexus black leather equipped automobiles feel better. As for the interior, the AH/Accord w/ NAVI is one exception to the rest. The new HCH or Civic EX is not in the same league (look at the sun visors) although they brought down sound levels to Accord levels! I have been in BMW 5 and 7 series, MB 320 series, Caddy STS’, CTS’, and an Escalade and nothing imho compares to the dash layout, looks, and in some cases feel of that darned Accord! The TL/RL and MDX have a sharper look but only because of a slightly larger LCD imho.

___I would have to qualify my posts about any Toyota. The Corolla w/ Auto (29/38) punched out a 52 mpg tank 3 years ago before I knew anything about FAS’ or P&G. DWL, DWB, and the various timing and parking techniques sure but never did she see a FAS or P&G scenario. I should take her for a week and see what she is worth today but then the son would trash the Accord’s lmpg at the same time. THAT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN ;) With a P&G city drive, those Toyota’s w/ HSD can knock the crap out of any equivalent IMA based Honda and there isn’t anything any of us are ever going to do about it :( Honda needs a real EV mode for acceleration from a stop up to a decent speed before ICE-On arrives. Until that time, all we can do is hope to beat the HSD equipped automobiles with the HCH’s highway capabilities … The Prius is no slouch out on the highway either but I think the lean-burn capable 03 – 05 HCH-I can still knock it into the dirt at higher speeds … the HCH-II’s actual capabilities have yet to be seen. I hope you become part of the final solution in that regard ;)

___While looking through some news items to post last week, one I skipped over but should have posted was Toyota’s plans to knock out 500,000 + copies of the 07 or 08 Camry. Google it and I am sure you will find it. I have no idea if they will make it or not but if a company with the marketing prowess of Toyota produces a $26K hybrid that does receive better then non-hybrid Honda Civic mileage, you bet there are going to be some people standing in line to take them home. This does not include the other 400,000 + non-hybrid Camry’s they are going to sell w/ the redesign. Those that have driven the new Camry have said it handles better then the previous gen which is the older Camry’s true Achilles heel … coming from an enthusiast ;) That being said, Toyota’s previous gen Camry is out selling the 7th gen Accord by an almost 4:3 ratio and the brand new 07 Camry has barely touched the lots!

___The Camry interior still doesn’t have the Accord’s but they are getting better and that is what really matters. The Yaris slant is indeed a mistake. This country bitched to high heaven about the Echo’s center cluster and yet Toyota did it to the Yaris again for cost saving reasons :(

___About that Fusion … When they first arrive, we would all be lucky to procure one at MSRP. MSRP is never in my plans. The FEH can be picked up for almost $1K under invoice w/ the X-Plan and current incentives for the Californian’s and DC’ites. I am sure the Fusion will be able to be purchased with a similar discount (at least down towards invoice) once the ball really starts rolling after a year or so. Or not if gasoline is up to $4.00 per by that point in time? I just hope Ford places the third gen tranny, the more robust and clutched MG1, and picks up a Li-ION or larger Ni-MH pack with the throttles opened up on it for some really wild EV capabilities …

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Wow. Something got you worked up last night. Now I know what HS feels like when DF dissects him...

Sorry - it wasn't with malice intended. ;) I tend to quote point-by-point when posting a rebuttal - looking at the result, it may look harsher than intended.

Was trying to figure out the 'HS' and 'DF' part, and then it hit me like a ton of bricks. No, I don't compare you to 'HS', and I'm not 'DF' (or a 'TS'....lol) , but I do like to present both sides of an issue, when I think facts have been misrepresented (intentional or otherwise). However, I have seen some of your posts on the other website concerning the HAH, and I wonder if you suffer from self-doubt, sometimes ? LOL (j/k)

Don't get me wrong - Toyota makes a very, very good vehicle on average. But they're not perfect, although the mainstream press would like to present it as such. They seem to make cars that please a great number of people around the world - but I wonder how much of that is a 'herd mentality', if you will - word of mouth leads the person to convince themselves "this is the best car to buy - everyone else is getting one, after all, and it's a nice, safe choice". Given the price of new cars these days, it's understandable. But selecting a car is a subjective process - I don't pretend that I'm 100% objective in my choices, and I sometimes go against 'conventional' wisdom. I also don't pretend to think that I'm smarter than the rest of the world - but I just don't like Toyota products as well as Honda's, on average (new RAV4 looks nice, though - and I generally detest SUVs as a whole as being wasteful)

Toyota's on a roll right now - they're a product juggernaut with tons of cash in the bank for R&D,and the other manufacturers seem to be following them w/ regard to hybrid technologies. In the end, they may prove to be right. But what worries me is that they may be 'right' in the end solely based on the force of the marketplace, and IMA goes the way of the Betamax recorder. :(

Let me try something different here...maybe this will appear 'nicer'... ?

Xcel: The new HCH or Civic EX is not in the same league (look at the sun visors) although they brought down sound levels to Accord levels!

Agreed that it's not in the same league as an Accord - however, it doesn't look like a totally different car anymore on the inside (and I'm not saying homogenization is neccesarily desirable, mind you :) The new Civic *has* moved upmarket - it was a definite 'plus' factor when I decided to purchase one. I've had people say to me incredulously... "you traded in an Accord for a Civic ???" Then I explain the % difference in FE, and the upcoming trials we're going to see w/ regard to energy supplies - they nod their heads understandingly. For the record, I do think the visors need improvement; especially when I'm trying to block the sun. :(



I have been in BMW 5 and 7 series, MB 320 series, Caddy STS’, CTS’, and an Escalade and nothing imho compares to the dash layout, looks, and in some cases feel of that darned Accord!

I need say nothing further on this, do I ? ;) However, if you get a chance, check out Audi one of these days - especially A6/A8.


___I would have to qualify my posts about any Toyota. The Corolla w/ Auto (29/38) punched out a 52 mpg tank 3 years ago before I knew anything about FAS’ or P&G. DWL, DWB, and the various timing and parking techniques sure but never did she see a FAS or P&G scenario.

I just meant their revisions of the EPA estimates on their cars. The Corolla was revised - what was it - four times in one year ? That's not good - it sends the wrong message to people (not to mention misleading)


With a P&G city drive, those Toyota’s w/ HSD can knock the crap out of any equivalent IMA based Honda and there isn’t anything any of us are ever going to do about it :(

Ah, but... how many people will actually *do* P&G ? I don't even do it in the Civic, yet, at least intentionally. For my urban friends, I *do* recommend the Prius, because it can provide motive power from rest, and in their scenarios, it's the optimal choice.


Until that time, all we can do is hope to beat the HSD equipped automobiles with the HCH’s highway capabilities …

I've alluded to this in the past - but I'm thinking by 'highway' capabilities, you mean speeds in excess of 40mph (or, should we say '42mph' ...lol) Because at 55mph and higher, I do not find the HCH-2's ICE as efficient as it is in the 30-50mph range, whether I am drafting or not.

… the HCH-II’s actual capabilities have yet to be seen. I hope you become part of the final solution in that regard ;)

Well, I report on what I *see*, anyway... I will probably never FAS the car because of the CVT issues (I even bought another HondaCare warranty for it, along with the IMA system, to bring it out to 120K). P&G is something I don't do at the current time (I may be doing this, in a rudimentary fashion, but I won't go into this here). If gas goes > $4/gal, I'll be making some more adjustments. :(

BTW - I didn't post this the other day, but I broke 60 (60.7, actual; 20.8mi) last Thursday on my work commute. Followed that up with a 59.x yesterday. I think I'm now running RFG, and it's easier w/o the wind we've been having the last two weeks.


;) That being said, Toyota’s previous gen Camry is out selling the 7th gen Accord by an almost 4:3 ratio and the brand new 07 Camry has barely touched the lots!

This is the main point for my reply - I've seen you state before about the Camry outselling the Accord. However, did you know -
- Toyota includes fleet sales in their figures, while Honda does not. If you remove the fleet sales, the Accord (almost) always comes out on top, sales-wise.
- About the only market where the Camry is as successful as it is...is the US, believe it or not. Outside of USDM, sales of the car are nowhere near as robust, relative to it's competition.

With the new redesign, there'll be a lot of previous-gen Camry owners looking to trade in for their latest 'appliance'...lol...so 2006-7 should be a very strong year for Camry sales. I'd be interested to see how many 'conquest' sales, they make, though ?

___About that Fusion … <snip> I just hope Ford places the third gen tranny, the more robust and clutched MG1, and picks up a Li-ION or larger Ni-MH pack with the throttles opened up on it for some really wild EV capabilities …

They'll err on the side of longevity, and you know they will. The argument could be made that they *should* make that choice, given they'll get one shot with the public before being abandoned for the Asians. But the part of me concerned about environment & society agrees with you ;)

I like everything about this car. Could even deal with a CVT in a small boatish sedan. The front end is a bit of a after thought to me, but I wouldnt have to look at it when driving. :)

As good as some Yotas are, and Im sure this hybrid will be a class leader.

I will never walk on a Yota lot ever again. I know many folks that are defecting from Yota because of the market mark ups and general tude of we are the best so we are going to screw you to death.

When I started my last car buying jorney that led up to the purchase of my Accord and Civic, I started with Yota. I was very intrested in a Limited Avalon and a Prius. I checked with several Yota dealers and was treated like crap by all of them.

Ive really been impressed with Yota and some of there cars. Hell I love the new Avalon and Tacoma. As the Camry looks to be another home run.

The thought of being treated like a idiot consumer or cattle being led to slaughter by every Yota dealer Ive visted in the last 20 years. Puts them squarely in the no buy Yota corner.

Im sure the next Accord will be a very worthly contendor... And my dealer is a class act. at a level Ive never seen at a Yota dealer.

And my dealer is a class act. at a level Ive never seen at a Yota dealer.

That is exactly what is going on in my neck of the woods. The Honda dealers are so helpful. The Toyota dealers will screw with you every chance they get. It's a night and day difference. It's a major reason why I'm driving an HCH instead of a Prius.