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.