The former boss of the manufacturing workers union says the Government could be buying “a pig in a poke” with the Camry deal. In other words, Kevin Rudd has signed the deal in a hurry without really understanding what he’s getting.

“What disturbs me about it is that it seems to me we’re buying old technology,” he has told the The Sydney Morning Herald.

He has a point. The Camry hybrid we’ll get is based on the same technology as the current Prius, which is essentially almost a decade old. By 2010, both General Motors and Toyota are aiming to have much more efficient plug-in hybrids based on the latest battery technology.

So why has the Government been so keen to secure the deal? And why is it giving the world’s most profitable car company a $35 million hand-out when the company itself says it was going to bring the hybrid Camry to Australia anyway?

Add to that the fact that all the components for the hybrid drivetrain in the Camry will be imported from Japan, and the net worth to Australia of the deal begins to become a little dubious.

Senator Campbell suggests the generosity may be tied in with local manufacturing jobs more than genuine environmental concerns.

Toyota has been very vocal about the fact that its Australian manufacturing operation, including its export business, is looking less attractive to head office because of the high labour costs and the strength of the Australian dollar.

Senior management says the local operation’s biggest threat isn’t Holden and Ford, but other Toyota plants around the world. The company now has Camry plants in seven countries around the globe, including China, Russia and Thailand.

Was Mr Rudd’s decision more about keeping Camry production in Australia and less about delivering a greener future for Australian motorists?

After all, 10,000 hybrid Camrys, some of which are likely to substitute for Priuses, are hardly going to put much of a dent in our automotive industry’s global footprint, given that Australians buy one million new cars every year.

So do you think Senator Campbell’s on the money or is the Camry deal an important step towards a greener future for the Australian car industry?

Richard Blackburn

Posted on June 23, 2008 4:24 PM

Thanks did the calc’s in the head. 6.8/100 still isnt crash hot though is it? & once you get out of the CBD postcodes you’ll be guzzling juice like a y genner with a case of pre krudd alcopops.

Afterall, a Peugot turbo diesel wagon does 5.0/100. A VW Jetta will do 5.5/100. (yes, that more than covers the price differential of diesel and ensures less demand for oil and guarantees supplies will last longer too)

GM has got nothing on Toyota or Honda were hybrid technology is concerned.

Besides, GM hybrid’s are not exactly reliable are they … battery leaks anybody !!

The reason they are looking at using the technology on V8 models first is because they are the most fuel inefficient models and therefore the most in need of hybrid technology. This combined with cylinder deactivation technology (due later this year on V8 models) could see a V8 SS commodore return fuel economy figures that better a V6, whilst at the same time IMPROVING performance!

Obviously if the technology makes its way into V8 commodores, it will be only a matter of time untill it can filter into other drivetrains. Same article in motor also said that holden are already working on turbocharged and direct injected 4 cylinder commodores with power outputs of around 180kw. Holden is also very keen to get direct injection into ALL V6 models, not just the high end SV6 and calais models. Also direct injection is a real possibility for V8 models aswell, improving economy even more. And turbo diesel variants are already well advanced. Basically you will have a choice of turbo 4cyl, V6, V8, hybrid V8 and turbo diesel V6 models, all with direct injection.

Sounds like GM Holden are having a very serious look at how they can maintain commodores popularity in increasingly fuel concious markets, without compromising commodore’s existing performance credentials.

I’m sure the toyota fans however will still see holden as un-technological and crap

The Hyundai Elantra LPG/hybrid will be much cheaper to buy, much cheaper to run, better for the environment, and be here by end of 2009 – maybe Hyundai can put their hand out for cash for an “assembly” plant and “build” them here.