News

1/11/2010
Camry #1 With Americans for Eight Straight Years, 13 of the Last 14 Years

GEORGETOWN, KENTUCKY, (January 11, 2010) —When Toyota's Kentucky team members built their first Camry in May of 1988, no one thought about it becoming the number one choice of American consumers, especially the competition. But, according to end of the year data, the Camry was again number one for the eighth consecutive year.

End of the year sales figures (2009) indicate Camry was number one among passenger cars with 356,824 units sold. The number two best selling passenger car was the Toyota Corolla (296,874).

"Our team members are exceptional and they take a lot of pride in knowing their hard work is appreciated by our customers," said Steve St. Angelo, president of Toyota’s Kentucky plant in Georgetown.

The string of eight consecutive years as the top selling passenger car appears to be a record, at least in recent history. The Ford Taurus was number one among cars for five straight years from 1992-1996. Camry became the top selling sedan for the first time in 1997 and held it through 2000. In 2001, The Honda Accord was the top selling sedan, but Camry regained the title in 2002 and has held it ever since, making it number one in 13 of the last 14 years.

Back in 1988, the Camry was only built in two plants. In North America, it was assembled exclusively at Georgetown, Ky. In Japan, it was built at the Tsutsumi facility, TMMK's mother plant. Today, the Camry has become a true global vehicle. It is now built in nine different plants in eight different countries.

"It's amazing when you look back and see how it all started," stated St. Angelo. "The Camry is a great product that has given many owners a tremendous value.

This was TMMK's first-car ceremony in 1988. This vehicle remains on display at the plant's Visitor Center, which is open to the public Monday through Friday.

About TMMK

TMMK is Toyota’s largest plant in North America employing about 6,900 team members with the annual capacity to produce 500,000 engines and vehicles including the Camry, Camry Hybrid, Avalon, and the Venza.

######

Contact:
Rick Hesterberg
Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc.
502-868-2135