Toyota's 2012 rollout

After a paucity of new models, 2012 is shaping up as a busy year for Toyota Down Under
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Toyota's 2011 woes have been well documented. Japan's fortunes took a substantial downturn in early 2011 and with it all of the carmakers.

As the largest, Toyota was arguably the worst affected by the fiscal and human disaster of March's earthquake and tsunami. Then later in the year Thai floods further hampered the carmaker.

Year to date to November 30 Toyota Australia was 14.3 per cent and a whopping 27,732 sales down on the same time in 2010. By way of comparison, the entire new vehicle market was only off 23,009 units on 2010.

But there's very definitely light at the end of the tunnel, says newly promoted Toyota Australia Executive Vice President elect, David Buttner. Buttner, who from January 1, 2012 will head all of Toyota Australia's operations excluding manufacturing, told motoring.com.au that 2012 was shaping up as one of the busiest ever for the brand.

Toyota's new model offensive effectively started this month with the launch of new Camry – and the 2012 roll out will also involve the top-selling midsizer.

Camry Hybrid is set to go on sale in February. Two grades will be offered: a well-equipped base model aimed at institutional buyers and an up-spec version expected to appeal to private car buyers. Toyota will be hoping the new model's private penetration is more convincing than the car it replaces. In 2010 and so far this year, less than one in five Camry Hybrids go to private buyers.

Following Camry Hybrid, the new generation Aurion makes its debut – some time after March. Toyota sources say it will follow Camry's lead with three grades likely to make it to dealer showrooms. Don't expect major driveline changes – that the new model makeover will concentrate on comfort and cabin amenities is the word.

Three new Prius models will arrive Down Under in 2012. A facelifted version of the current model will be the first to land in Q1, followed a new hybrid light car, Prius C, and the small car sized wagon-cum-MPV, Prius V.

Prius C was previewed in Tokyo with Toyota's Aqua concept. Locally the car will go on sale late in Q1.

Toyota Australia is not clear on whether Prius V will be sold in five or seven seat versions or both. Prius V is essentially a pumped up version of the existing Prius model with a Camm-tailed wagon-esque body.

Mid-2012 sees the carmaker's long awaited 86 sports coupe go on sale Down Under. Rarely have as many words been written about a new Toyota. Suffice it to say, expect plenty of fanfare when the car arrives.

At the other end of the Toyota spectrum, LandCruiser 200 gets a refresh in Q2.

The end of 2012 and the start of 2013 will see two very important models undergo generational change. All-new Corolla is pencilled in for a November debut Down Under with RAV4 going into production in 2012, but unlikely to go on sale locally until February or March 2013. Both of these models are absolutely key to the carmaker's profitability and sales numbers in Australia.


Toyota new and facelift model roll out
2012 Q1
Camry Hybrid
Prius C
Prius (facelift)

2012 Q2
Aurion
Pruis V
LandCRuiser 200 (facelift)
86

2012 Q4
Corolla

2013 Q1
RAV4

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