Toyota Camry and Aurion: exports account for 70 per cent of local production
Toyota Australia has released export figures for its locally built Toyota Camry and Toyota Aurion models, showing that 70 per cent of its Australian made range have been exported to the end of the company's financial year on March 31.
While local Camry and Aurion sales have totalled 5027 for the first three months of 2013, 7383 were exported in March alone. A single month all-time high has been set for last financial year in August 2012, with 8470 Toyotas leaving our shores. From April 1 2012 to March 31 2013, 69,762 vehicles were exported.
Toyota says that 97 per cent of exports go to the Middle Eastern region, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Remaining export markets include New Zealand, Yemen and the South Pacific Islands.
Toyota Motor Corporation Australia (TMCA) executive vice president and chief operating officer David Butner has used the export figures announcement to renew calls for the Australian government to reach a free-trade agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
"The competitiveness of our export program would be enhanced if an Australia-GCC free trade agreement could be reached," Mr Buttner said.
"We are supportive of the work being undertaken by the Minister for Trade and Competitiveness Dr Craig Emerson in continuing to register the Australian Government's interest in this agreement.
"The fact that we have strong exports is an indication of the high quality and durability of the vehicles we build here in Australia.
"We have now exported more than one million vehicles, which is more than any other Australian manufacturer.
"In addition, our new four-cylinder AR engine plant has opened up new export markets in Thailand and Malaysia which strengthens our export program and overall business strategy."
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