In which countries are these cars produced?
The Japanese automaker began producing this model in Russia in 2007, after the opening of an assembly line founded in 2005 in the village of Shushary, located in the Leningrad region. In addition to Shushar, the company's factories are located in Australia, the USA and, accordingly, in Japan, where the main Toyota Camry assembly line is located. Recently, according to unofficial data, another plant should open on Russian territory, where the 2020 model will be assembled.
Until 2011, Japanese-assembled Camrys were not officially supplied to Russia; domestic demand was fully met by the production of the Russian assembly line, and only its significant excess forced the manufacturer to organize deliveries of a sedan assembled in Japan to Russia.
The latest generation of the model, updated in 2020, is assembled both at a domestic plant, about 35 thousand cars annually, and at a Japanese plant. The quality of the cars is no different from each other. All factories located in different countries where Toyota is assembled are equipped with modern equipment and use the same components, which is strictly monitored by the management of the automaker, who relies on the quality of the cars produced, and not their quantity.
Modernity
Sixth generation (XV40)
The history of the sixth generation Camry was relatively short for a prestigious car - official sales started in 2008, and the next generation was introduced in 2011. The reason for this was the controversial design, which scared off former Toyota Camry fans and forced them to buy cars such as the Honda Accord and Nissan Teana. The front part received a huge number of rounded elements, and the entire body began to look visually heavy, which also did not contribute to achieving large sales in the world.
Now Toyota offered only two options for power units - an engine with a displacement of 2.4 liters had a performance of 167 horsepower, and an engine with an internal volume of 3.5 liters had a performance of 277 horsepower. For the Russian market, the latest unit was derated to 249 horsepower, which allowed it to avoid being subject to transport tax at the maximum rate. In addition, this generation was the first to introduce a gasoline-electric hybrid car based on the Toyota Camry, which was equipped with a smaller internal combustion engine and a continuously variable transmission.
Seventh generation (XV50)
In 2011, Toyota was again forced to “work on mistakes” in order to restore the success of the fifth generation Camry. The car again received angular features and lost the smooth lines in the design of the front end. The lighting equipment has increased in width and received a new style, and the front bumper with triangular openings for fog lights has become very massive and solid. In addition, the increased length and size of the wheelbase allowed the new Toyota Camry to compete in interior space with some luxury cars.
The most powerful power unit of the Toyota Camry remained unchanged - in the Russian version it develops 249 hp. s., and in all other markets a modification with a performance of 277 horsepower is offered. The place of the previous 2.4-liter unit was taken by a new one, with a volume of 100 cubic centimeters more and a power of 181 hp. With. Also, the base engine is now a 2-liter, developing 148 horsepower. Until 2014, it worked with a four-speed automatic transmission, and after restyling carried out during this period, all Toyota Camrys began to be equipped with six-speed automatic transmissions.
Video about the history of the Toyota Camry:
Quality of cars, how to distinguish Toyota cars from different factories
One of the main questions of domestic car enthusiasts is: whose assembly is of higher quality and how to distinguish the domestic version from the Japanese one. Visually, the car assembled in the Russian Federation does not have any visible differences from its Asian counterpart, except for the fact that the Japanese equip the car with Yokohama tires, and install Michelin tires on the Russian assembly line.
Another external difference is the absence of front and rear towing hooks in the Shushar-assembled Camry, which are standard in the original car. It is also customary to determine the country of manufacture by the VIN number; its letter designations, for example, the presence of the letter J (Japan), indicate whose car it is and for what market it was produced.
In terms of quality, it doesn’t matter at all where Toyota Camry is assembled, it is the same everywhere, and on each assembly line the car goes through several stages of control, which is strictly monitored by company representatives from Japan.
The only criticism of domestically produced cars, judging by numerous reviews, is the soft paintwork of the body, the application methods of which have some differences from Japanese technology.
Hard childhood
Predecessor
The Toyota Celica, a coupe designed for active driving enthusiasts, was chosen as the basis for the implementation of the concept of a single platform. The chassis was increased in length and used to install a sedan body on it - this is how the first Toyota Celica Camry appeared, which was positioned as a premium modification of the coupe and did not yet have its own full name. The list of standard equipment for the Camry has been significantly expanded compared to the Toyota Celica - in particular, electric windows and rearview mirrors have been added, as well as improved trim.
However, sales showed that the attempt to implement the newest concept was a failure. Knowing the sporty image of the Toyota Celica, buyers expected outstanding dynamic performance from the Camry. However, the only engine installed on such a Toyota had a power of only 95 horsepower with a nominal displacement of 1.8 liters. This was clearly not enough for a car with a large list of standard equipment and an enlarged body. As a result, the Toyota Celica Camry went down in history as an unsuccessful sedan that gained at least some popularity only in the domestic market.
First generation (V10)
Already in 1982, Toyota specialists realized their mistake and began working on correcting it. The new model was released without delay - it now lost the Celica name and was sold exclusively as a Toyota Camry. In Japan, a right-hand drive Vista model based on the Camry was also offered, which differed in body and interior design.
However, the car did not gain much popularity - the reason for this was the continued use of too weak engines. With a working volume of 1.8–2.0 liters, they had a performance of only 74–92 horsepower. Despite having visible differences with the Celica-based sedan, the new Toyota Camry still retained the same styling, thanks to which it was influenced by the reputation of its predecessor.
Second generation (V20)
It is believed that the history of the Toyota Camry as a successful and popular business class car began with this car, which entered the market in 1986. The most important component of success was the abandonment of the previous design - although in fact the car became even larger, it no longer looked massive and rough due to the use of rounded lines in the body style. In addition, in addition to the base 1.8 engine, which had a power of 86 horsepower, the Toyota Camry was now equipped with more powerful units with a volume of 2.0–2.5 liters and a performance of 121 and 156 horsepower, respectively.
Customers who chose the Toyota Camry were also offered a station wagon body and a hardtop modification without a central pillar. In Japan, an all-wheel drive modification was also offered, which was produced exclusively under the commercial name Toyota Vista. Outside the home market, it is extremely rare, since only single deliveries of all-wheel drive Toyota Camrys were officially made abroad on special orders.
What car enthusiasts say
Oleg, owner of the 2020 model of the Russian plant
In terms of technical reliability, the 2020 car has no complaints at all, it has never let us down. But the paint is very soft, even small branches scratch it.
Pavel, owner of a 2008 car from Shushar
It’s a reliable car, I have some comments only about the interior, the materials are quite simple and begin to creak over time.
Yuri, sedan owner from Japan
I’ve been looking for a “Japanese” 2020 for a long time, I thought the interior would be of better quality, but no, it’s absolutely the same as the Shusharian one. Toyota, of course, saved money here.
Anatoly, owner of a 2009 domestically assembled car
Everything is good in the car, except for the paint (it gets scratched very quickly) and the interior, which is of rather poor quality.
Leonid, owner of a 2012 American-built car
Wonderful car, very reliable. The interior materials are just not very good, they quickly wear out and creak.
Timofey, owns a Shushara car from 2013
This is my second Camry, but the interior is not very good, everything is spoiled by cheap plastic and crooked seams on the seats.
Konstantin, owner of a 2007 model from Shushar
Technically one of the best. Everything works without problems. The only thing I'm dissatisfied with is the paint, it quickly becomes covered with nasty small scratches.
Elena, owns a 2020 Shushara sedan
Great car. Reliable. The interior just started to creak pretty quickly, but everything else is just great.
Long haul
As you can see, Toyota products have not always been distinguished by the perfection characteristic of its modern models. However, using the example of the Camry model, the company proved that it always strives to achieve better quality and consumer properties of its cars. In addition, you can make a number of assumptions in advance about what the next generation of Toyota Camry will be like. If we take into account the main trends, the car will become even larger, and will also retain the angular design and massiveness that gives the vehicle solidity. But you shouldn’t expect a significant increase in the power of Camry engines - Toyota doesn’t want this model to compete with premium Lexus cars.
Notes
- ↑ 1 2 Ciferri, Luca
[www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060206/ANE/60203021 Toyota says 'No' to Camry for Europe] (English). Automotive News Europe (6 February 2006). Retrieved November 13, 2007. [www.webcitation.org/6DnrZPsbD Archived from the original on January 20, 2013]. - [www.rg.ru/2005/06/14/kamen-anons.html Vladimir Putin met with former Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori in St. Petersburg]. Russian newspaper (June 14, 2005). Retrieved November 13, 2007.
- [www.rosbalt.ru/piter/2007/10/20/424175.html Matvienko: will release the first car on December 21]. Rosbalt Petersburg (October 20, 2007). Retrieved November 13, 2007. [www.webcitation.org/686MOUuvO Archived from the original on June 1, 2012].
- [www.autotechnic.su/tests/toyota/camry/camry.html Toyota Camry Review]
- [wroom.ru/news/2844 Orders for the updated Toyota Camry sedan have begun] (Russian). Wroom.ru (October 30, 2014). Retrieved November 7, 2014.
Build quality
The quality of Russian assembly is practically no different from models produced in Japan. The manufacturer claims that the difference lies only in different tires - Michelin is installed on domestic versions, while Yokohama products are typical for Japanese ones. However, users also note such a drawback of models assembled in the Russian Federation as soft paint. The car body will quickly become covered with small scratches, although you can only see them by looking closely at the coating.
A rather serious drawback of any 2020 Toyota Camry assembly is the not-so-high-quality upholstery. The material does not quite correspond to the price category of the vehicle and is noticeably inferior in quality to competitors from the same segment.
Build quality in Russia
Experts note that the quality of the Russian assembly of the Toyota Camry model is inferior to the identical Japanese assembly model. This is reflected in the following differences:
- Japanese assemblers equip the car with Yocohama tires, and Russian assemblers use Michlen;
- when performing paint and varnish work at a plant in Russia, materials of lower quality are used;
- When installing glass elements, Russian-made products are used. It is also inferior in quality to Japanese glass.
At the same time, the power unit and many other important structural elements for the Toyota Camry are delivered to Russia assembled. The delivery is carried out by foreign partner companies of Toyota Motor.
Passenger seats are manufactured directly in the production shops of the Russian enterprise. Their quality fully corresponds to the level of chairs from Japanese manufacturers, while the design is completely identical.
In general, the build quality of the Russian company is comparable to Japanese models. This is due to strict adherence to the technological process. All individual production operations are carried out in accordance with the instructions. They are the same for all factories. Cars are subject to specialized quality control, which allows them to maintain the required reliability and quality. If significant defects are detected, the machine is sent for recycling. Camry characteristics such as dynamics, handling, interior equipment and noise insulation are at the same level as cars assembled in Japan.
Which Toyota Camry assembly is better to take: whose country of origin
Toyota Camry is the most sought after and popular car all over the world. In Russia it has been the sales leader among sedans for a long time. Produced for over 35 years. Despite the fact that the model has changed significantly, both externally and technically, its exceptional features have been preserved. Reliability, comfort and solidity became a characteristic feature. Today, seven generations of the car are known.
Problems with the latest generation Toyota Camry XV70, what do owners face?
Toyota Camry is a sales leader in the D class; overall, it is a successful and reliable car: a spacious interior, a classic automatic transmission, and a reliable engine. However, it is the latest generation of the XV70, according to reviews, that has become somewhat less pleasing to its owners. Many car enthusiasts say that Toyota is no longer the same, there is no such uncompromising quality and reliability as it had in the past, the car is often annoying with various jambs and breakdowns. Let's look at the main, common problems that owners face.
First problem
, which probably most owners of the Toyota Camry XV70 have not missed -
replacing the support bearings
. There was even a recall campaign for this problem, so they were replaced during maintenance for everyone who was serviced by an official dealer. The problem, in fact, is simple - anthers (seals) were not installed for the support bearings, which is why they were constantly covered in dirt, as was the space in their vicinity - dirt got there from the front wheel arches.
It should be noted that before the official announcement of the recall campaign, some owners were denied a warranty replacement
, since “it does not affect the speed”: they explained that this is how it should be - a “technological hole”!
Bloggers have made many angry videos on this topic. One more nuance - few people do a wheel alignment
, because it was not provided for in the recall campaign.
The next common problem: clicks and squeaks of the windshield.
Many dealers refuse warranty repairs, but some have achieved a solution to the problem.
