Toyota sets all-time export record

TOYOTA has set an export record for its Camry, shipping 69,000 Altona-built vehicles worth more than $1.3 billion last year.

The company eclipsed its previous record of 66,247 vehicles set in 2003.

Toyota Australia divisional manager export Scott Grant said last year’s exports were up 5.5 per cent over 2004, and 4.2 per cent up on the 2003 record.

He said there would be no slowdown of exports this year and he was confident of setting another record.

More than 90 per cent of Australian Camry exports are left-hand drive vehicles to the Middle East, where it is the top-selling passenger vehicle in Saudi Arabia.

Toyota exports Camry to more than 20 countries, including South Africa, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait.

Meanwhile, healthy exports to Russia have helped Mitsubishi increase its global export numbers last year.

MMC managed a 15.5 per cent lift in its vehicle exports from Japan last year, rising to 29,704 vehicles.

Exports to Europe, led by healthy Russian sales, were 69.9 per cent up on 2004 with 9464 vehicles finding new homes in Europe.

Exports to Asia were stable at 3489 vehicles while exports to North America dropped to 2598 vehicles.