Toyota Australia in March booked its second highest monthly export tally for the 2012/13 financial year.
The automaker shipped 7,383 Camry, Camry Hybrid and Aurion vehicles last month.
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Around 97% of vehicles went to the six (left hand drive) Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates where the Camry is a popular choice of taxi drivers. The remainder were exported to RHD New Zealand, Yemen and the South Pacific Islands.
Exports for the financial year ending 31 March 2013 totalled 69,762 vehicles.
Toyota Australia executive vice president and chief operating officer Dave Buttner said the export programme was a significant part of the company’s overall business strategy.
“The competitiveness of our export program would be enhanced if an Australia-GCC free trade agreement could be reached,” Buttner said.
“We are supportive of the work being undertaken by the minister for trade and competitiveness Craig Emerson in continuing to register the Australian government’s interest in this agreement.
“The fact that we have strong exports is an indication of the high quality and durability of the vehicles we build here in Australia.
“We have now exported more than 1m vehicles which is more than any other Australian manufacturer.
“In addition, our new four-cylinder AR engine plant has opened up new export markets in Thailand and Malaysia which strengthens our export programme and overall business strategy.”
Exports account for approximately 70% of Toyota Australia’s local production.
The highest month for exports in the 2012/13 financial year was recorded in August 2012 with 8,470 vehicles.
Exports began with the Corona wagon back in the 1980s.
