Toyota stops orders for staple sedan in Australia

Want a hybrid Toyota Camry in Australia? Unless you already have one on order, you’d best start scanning the classifieds.

Toyota Australia has paused orders in the face of “extraordinary demand”, which has seen 90 per cent of Camry buyers opting for the hybrid instead of the petrol-only model.

Wait times remain at more than two years for the Camry Hybrid, which is popular with taxi and ride-share drivers in Australia.

“I want to assure all Toyota customers that we are doing everything possible to increase supply for Australia and to expedite delivery of vehicles as they arrive,” Toyota Australia vice president of sales and marketing Sean Hanley said in a statement.

“Our global production teams have consistently adopted countermeasures that have improved the supply of components affected by global shortages, such as semiconductors.

“Throughout this journey, we are particularly humbled that our local customers have maintained their trust in Toyota and remained loyal to our brand.”

To date in 2023, Toyota has delivered 7130 examples of the Camry in Australia, of which 6490 were hybrids.

After axing the V6 engine in 2021, Toyota offered just one non-hybrid Camry variant: the base Ascent.

Those seeking a direct alternative to the Camry Hybrid in Australia will struggle. Hyundai sells the Camry-rivalling Sonata in Australia only in turbocharged N Line guise and doesn’t offer its hybrid powertrain here, while the ageing Mazda 6 has no hybrid option.

Although Toyota offers the Corolla sedan with a hybrid, it’s a much smaller car. The Hyundai i30 sedan will gain a hybrid option in 2024, and slots between the Corolla and Camry size-wise.

MORE: Everything Toyota Camry