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Revision as of 08:37, 16 August 2004 by Stombs (talk | contribs) (Nearly completed this model's history)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)The Toyota Camry is a large family car manufacured by Toyota in the United States and Australia as well as Japan.
It originally was launched as the Toyota Celica Camry in 1980 for the Japanese home market. This model was essentially a Toyota Carina with a Celica front. In 1982, the Camry became an independent model line, and was a mid-sized four-door and five-door sedan. There were limited exports, predominantly to right-hand-drive markets. At this point, Camry was positioned above the Carina and Corona, two other mid-sized models made by Toyota.
The third-generation model débuted in 1986, and included a station wagon (though no hatchback). At this point, it was still regarded as a mid-sized car.
The fourth-generation Camry (1991, in the US as a 1992 model year car) that was exported is regarded as the first to break into the large-car market, or what Toyota billed at the time as "world-sized". A three-litre version was added. However, in Japan, the 1991 Camry was a different vehicle, which shared its doors and fenders with the exported model, but was limited to the 1,700 mm length required to fit into a lower tax bracket. The export model was called the Toyota Specter in its home market.
From this point, the Camry sold in Japan became different to the one sold elsewhere.
In 1996, the fifth-generation Camry continued the same theme. In the United States, a coupé model called the Solara was added.
The 2002 the latest Toyota Camry was launched as a sedan and coupé only, with no station wagon counterpart.
It is sold in more limited numbers in Europe, where the smaller Avensis, built in the United Kingdom, is more popular. The absence of a station wagon for the sixth generation in markets like New Zealand means that the Camry sedan and the Avensis estate are sold side by side, the Avensis Verso minivan having failed in that market.
The Camry is reportedly the most stolen car in the United States. This can be attributed to the fact that the Camry has been the top selling car in the U.S. for several years.