Toyota Prices Camry Hybrid $5,000 below Honda model

TOKYO, March 28, 2006; Reuters reported that Toyota Motor Corp. has priced its new Camry hybrid -- a gasoline-electric version of America's most popular car -- at $25,900, around $5,000 cheaper than rival Honda Motor Co.'s Accord hybrid.

A direct comparison is difficult because the cars have different engine sizes and standard features, but the gasoline version of the Camry and Accord sedans compete in the same segment.

Both Japanese auto makers, which lead the industry in the advanced fuel-efficient powertrain, are aiming to reduce the cost of hybrid systems to limit the premium consumers pay to around $2,000.

A comparable version of the gasoline-only Camry sells for $20,500.

The 2007 model year Camry hybrid has a 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine yielding 187 horsepower combined with the electric motor. The 2006 Accord hybrid, which starts at $30,990, is more powerful, producing a combined 253 hp with its 3.0-litre V6 engine.

The Japan-built Camry hybrid goes on sale in the United States in May, and will be followed by a local version scheduled to be produced in Kentucky from October. Toyota has targeted sales of about 30,000 Camry hybrids this year.