Toyota Camry Hybrid to be built in Kentucky

Toyota is planning to build a Camry plant in St. Petersburg, Russia, but has not said

Toyota is planning to build a Camry plant in St. Petersburg, Russia. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

if it will be optimized for Camry Hybrid production.

According to a recent announcement, the $10 million USD updated plant will be capable of producing up to 48,000 Camry Hybrids per year, which is approximately ten percent of the 500,000 vehicle the plant is currently capable of producing. The Georgetown facility has produced 6 million vehicles to date, including Camry, Avalon, Solara and Sienna models.

Many market analysts expect a hybrid Sienna soon, but before this and directly after the Camry Hybrid becomes available the next HEV in Toyota's lineup will be the Lexus GS 450h.

According to reports in Automotive News, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger personally lobbied Toyota CEO Fujio Cho about getting the automaker update its NUMMI facility in Fremont, California for hybrid production. While this may happen some time in the future, for an expected Corolla hybrid or a

The Camry's number one position in the midsize sales race will allow even greater hybrid volumes. (Photo: Toyota Canada)

possible Tacoma hybrid pickup, although no such models has been announced, it didn't make business sense to build an entirely new model in the NUMMI facility, when the Georgetown plant already produces the Camry.

Why choose the Camry as the next hybrid? Many were surprised when the Lexus RX 400h and Toyota Highlander were announced first, being that the Camry has been the best-selling car in America for three consecutive years, as well as seven of the previous eight years.

While the new Prius is classified as a midsize car due to its spacious interior dimensions, the Camry's number one position in the midsize sales race will allow even greater hybrid volumes, resulting in continued HEV leadership for Toyota.