Let’s just face it, fuel prices will keep rising, and no matter how good or honest a PM Australia may have, there’s no stopping this trend. It’s the world market that dictates everything, or maybe how many people are shot in Iraq. Oil supply is depleting and will eventually run. Hybrids still need to be made cheaper and at the moment, these are bought mainly for environmental purposes and not fuel saving (due to the high premium over a comparable petrol car). For now, it’s all about taking it easier on the pedal.

The hybrid camry deal is the same as fuelwatch – be seen to be doing something, without actually doing anything of any significance, soemthing that will fool the vast majority of (uneducated) voters that voted them in.
Then when it all falls in a heap they can cover their collective butts and say “look we tried”

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

I paid the equivalent of $2.70 per litre of diesel to fill up my car earlier today. The last time I fill it before it’s sold and we move to Australia.

In Australia I’ll be damn grateful that I can drive a car that isn’t some nasty 1.6L diesel tractor and can drive something a bit more fun and still safe a bag load on fuel.

So really, gentlemen, a bit of perspective may not hurt here. I’m sure you’re all aware of how important it is to curb rampant petrochemical demand. Now all we need to do is stop China from subsidizing their fuel…

NM response……seems like you have a memory like sawdust. Ten rate rises under Howard is not much when he was there for 11years. Its zealous zits like you who have a jaded view of things and are full of your own self importance. Inflation, employment and budget where kept at great levels……you are seeing a correction now as Crudd (i.e. the chairman master and gabfest king) is now having trouble keeping wages low as many areas are asking for massive pay increases and even a lower working week is being mooted (PERFECT INGREDIENTS TO TOSS INTO THE BREW OF INCREASED INFLATION). Obviously you leave out massive blocks of recall from that sieve enveloped in your brain and only see selective heaps!

NM RESPONSE….get over your comment. Era is not Howard anymore! Focus on gabfest on chairman Rudd engages in and see little follow through whereas he only symphasises with the public on petrol prices! LMAO