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The 2018 Toyota Camry has been unveiled. President of Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC), Akio Toyoda, Monday, unveiled the 2018 Camry , the eight generation of the model, at a media launch held at the ongoing 2017 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit.
Describing the new Camry which comes in two variants, the XLE and XSE, as ‘sexy’, Toyoda said “… between this new XLE and XSE… our customers will have two very distinct Camry’s to choose from: sexy and really sexy.”
Toyoda also disclosed that the Japanese car maker had invested a whopping $22bn in the U.S. over the last 60 years even as he disclosed that another $10bn investment would be made in the country in the next five years. And this may be just be another good news for United States President-elect, Donald Trump.
Speaking on the importance to which Toyota attaches to the Camry, Toyoda said: “The Camry has been one of the reasons why we’ve invested 22 billion dollars in the U.S. over the last 60 years and why we will be investing another 10 billion here …in just the next five years alone.
“We are deeply grateful to the millions of customers who have made Camry the number one selling car in America for the last 15 years. It’s a honor that we cannot take for granted… and with these new Camrys, we hope it’s evident that we won’t.”
Toyoda also explained his description of the new Camry as being ‘sexy’ further, saying, “Now I know calling a Camry “sexy”… might be overstating it for some…but I truly do believe our designers hit it out of the park this time. Our goal was to make the XLE far more premium…and the XSE…so sporty and distinctive…it would be easy to identify from 200 yards away.
“It’s no secret that I like to involve myself in the design process…although my team might call it something else!
“But together, we chose this initial sketch of the new Camry… from three finalists…and as you can see…our designers and engineers really stayed true to the concept.
“This sketch by the way… came from one of our talented designers who was on assignment in Japan from the U.S., at the time. “
He disclosed that Toyota views the launch of the new Camry as an opportunity to re-ignite the mid-size sedan market, asking “ why should SUVs get all the glory?”
Toyoda said: “After all, this segment is still one of the largest in the industry…and the Camry is a huge part of our manufacturing here in the U.S. And according to Cars.com…the Camry continues to be the number one…most “American” car…of any built today… by any OEM.
“I’m not sure if that’s widely known by our customers…but it’s something that our team members at Toyota’s largest manufacturing plant, in Georgetown, Kentucky… are very proud of.
“And so am I.
“As we speak, they make a Camry nearly every minute!!
“It is this type of team work that has helped Toyota produce more than 25 million vehicles in the U.S. over the past 30 years… which honestly, never ceases to amaze me.
“Our line-off for these new Camrys will begin very soon at TMMK…and I believe they will be the best generation we’ve ever built.
“Our goal was to simply make this new Camry as unexpected…and provocative as possible… so in addition to what you see here…it will also be available in this new, extra sporty…two-tone version.”
