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Toyota Camry Named Motor Trend's 2007 Car of the Year


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TORRANCE, Calif., Nov. 22, 2006 -- The all-new 2007 Toyota Camry has been named Motor Trend's 2007 "Car of the Year." Launched in spring 2006, the new Camry offers a major redesign for the 2007 model year and an available Camry Hybrid option equipped with Toyota's industry-leading Hybrid Synergy Drive.

Long-favored by passenger-car buyers, the Camry remains America's best-selling passenger car eight of the last nine years. Currently in its sixth generation, the all-new Camry offers more interior space, an athletic design with a more upright style than its predecessor, and unique performance enhancements, especially in the Camry Hybrid. The hybrid version sets a new standard for fuel efficiency / performance balance with outstanding EPA- estimated 40 mpg city/38 mpg highway ratings and a net 187 horsepower for the combined hybrid system.

The Camry was selected ahead of 27 contenders in various vehicle segments. The field included:

  Chevrolet Aveo          Kia Rondo                Saturn Sky Redline
  Chrysler Sebring        Kia Sedona               Suzuki SX4
  Dodge Caliber           Lexus ES 350             Toyota Camry
  Honda Fit               Lexus LS 460             Toyota Yaris
  Hyundai Elantra         Mercedes Benz S-Class    Volvo C70 T5
  Hyundai Entourage       Nissan Altima            Volkswagen EOS
  Infiniti G35            Nissan Sentra            Volkswagen Rabbit
  Jaguar XK               Nissan Versa
  Jeep Compass            Porsche Cayman
  Kia Optima              Saturn Aura

Eligibility for the award was based on several factors including design, value, innovation, performance, safety, technical advancement, quality and market significance. Each vehicle was subjected to a battery of tests, such as skid pad ratings, acceleration and quarter-mile track times, and evaluated on drivability and fuel economy under normal driving conditions.

The 2007 Camry's improved performance, safety and comfort deliver the exceptional value that has helped make this model so admired. Camry sales provide further evidence of its popularity among consumers with year-to-date sales of 374,717 units in 2006. In October 2006, Toyota passenger car sales were led by Camry, which posted best-ever October sales of 33,812. The Camry Hybrid, which went on sale in late April, reported sales of 2,806 units in October.

This marks the third time in the last four years that Toyota has claimed one of Motor Trends' top prizes. The magazine selected the Tacoma pickup as its Truck of the Year in 2005. The Prius Hybrid was named Car of the Year in 2004.