Toyota Camry ranked as top vehicle in Indonesia
Toyota Camry ranked as top vehicle in Indonesia
With a great international reputation, and now a great local
one as well, the Toyota Camry seems to be close to perfection.
Can you imagine what it's like to drive Indonesian Car of the
Year 2002?
The Toyota Camry has made massive inroads into the domestic
automotive industry. The Camry has put its rivals on the
defensive especially after its latest model, Camry 3.OVL, was
named the Indonesian Car of the Year 2002 by a prominent
automotive magazine.
There are eight categories in the competition: MPV cab over,
MPV bonnet type, city car, SUV 4x2, 1,500cc sedan, 2,000cc sedan,
over 2,000cc sedan and luxury car.
Based on an examination and evaluation conducted by an
independent team hired by Mobil motor magazine, the new Camry was
awarded the top score.
Marketing communications manager of PT Toyota Astra Motor
Hendrayadi Lastiyoso said the contest, held for the first time in
2002, was a milestone for the country's automotive industry.
"The competition, which will be held annually, is pretty well-
organized and the jury very qualified. So this is a very good
sign for us, particularly Camry," he said.
To determine the winners, the jury evaluated eight criteria
including design; engineering; quality, fittings and finishing;
safety; driving pleasure; performance; and value for money. The
examination also involved the following seven categories: 0-100
kilometers per hour acceleration; 0-400 km/hour acceleration;
slalom test; skid pad test; cabin noise level when idle and at
100km/hour; braking from 100-0 km/hour; and fuel consumption.
The Camry also won the over-2000cc sedan category in the
contest. Other vehicles were also awarded based on sales and
readers' choices. In addition to the Camry, other Toyota cars
placed high in the contest were the Kijang, which took three
awards including best MPV bonnet type, best-selling car and
readers' favorite car.
The Camry was also America's best selling car from 1997-2000
and in 2002. And this year it won the Vehicle Ownership
Satisfaction Award in Canada for the eighth time.
"The result for the Camry in the Indonesian contest is a
tribute to the quality, reliability and dependability that Toyota
builds into every vehicle we sell, and it's been given to us by
the toughest and most important critics -- our customers. It's an
extraordinary vote of confidence, and one we will continue to
work hard to deserve," said Hendrayadi.
He said the challenge would now be to maintain the image of
the Camry among owners and potential buyers.
"We have to concentrate on customer service. After-sales
service is very important to show that we really care for the
owners. In the meantime we will continue improve our product
image," he added, noting that the level of Camry sales was
increasing all the time.
According to Hendrayadi, Toyota sold 1,086 Camrys in 2002,
much more than the 579 sold the previous year.
He said the Camry's market share (in the medium car category)
increased to 18.4 percent last year from 9.3 percent in 2001.
"This shows that more and more people are being won over by the
Camry."
He said his company always monitored the feedback received
from owners, and the same complaint was never repeated. "Every
complaint is a once off," he stressed.
Design and performance
The Camry 3.0VL, which was introduced in the Indonesian market
in June, last year, has recently been redesigned. It now has new
styling and a slight longer wheelbase than its predecessor. It is
also a bit higher and a little heavier.
"Overall, the new Camry appears trendier and more elegant. The
car is a new departure for Toyota, which is well-known as being a
conventional car designer," said Hendrayadi.
There is not much to be said about the exterior. Those who are
au fait about such things will be easily able to chart the
Camry's evolution. Though the first model, which was launched in
2000, looked great, the 2002 Camry is much fresher, trendier and
futuristic.
However, the classic Toyota touches remains; everything is
simple and convenient, nothing superfluous. All indicators on the
instrument panel are clearly visible, simple and easy to read.
The driver's seat is very comfortable. There is plenty of
room. The tilt steering is easy to adjust. The cruise control
knob is mounted on the steering wheel and is very easy to use.
Special for Camry 3.04L, the interior is fitted out with all-
leather seats.
The 2.4 and 3.0VL engines are among the best engines produced
by Toyota. The Camry's engine has six cylinders, four camshafts
and every cylinder has four valves. This design gives 194
horsepower and very good fuel economy on highways. The engine is
very durable and trouble-free.
The Camry has a four-speed automatic transmission with
converter lock-up system. It shifts smoothly and never gives the
driver any problems if the basic rules of driving are followed.
Meanwhile, all the gauges on the instrument panel are easy to
read so you don't need to spend a lot of time reading them.
Consequently, drivers can pay more attention to the road.
The power train and all-electronic system are eminently
reliable, so the chances of stalling unexpectedly on a highway
are very low. Toyota brakes rarely give drivers or owners any
problems if original parts are used.
The engine is based on a high-technology system known as the
Variable Valve Timing-intelligent (VVT-I), combined with the
Electronic Throttle Control System-intelligent (ETCS-I). The
safety equipment is also sophisticated, including the GOA (Global
Outstanding Assessment) body design. The steering column is
collapsible to absorb collision energy. The car has front torso
airbags as standard equipment.
The car has also Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) to maintain
stability while turning or speeding on slippery roads. This is
combined with an Antilock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake
Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA).
To facilitate drivers when parking the car, there is a Back
Sonar and Corner Censor, which detect anything in certain
dimensions.
With the Toyota Camry, everything seems to fall into place
perfectly. It also seem that the Camry has quite a reputation for
owner loyalty. This is because each model treats the owner to a
ride that's comfortable, quiet and smooth, even when the road
conditions aren't.
Other carmakers would do well to take a look at what Toyota
has achieved in its cars, particularly the Camry, in terms of
reliability. There's no doubt about it, the Camry is one of those
rare things in life that can actually lift the spirits just by
thinking about it. So just imagine what happens when driving it.