The Northern Rivers Times
January 25, 2024!!!
40 MOTORING NEWS
The 2024 Toyota Camry Breaks Cover: All-New Design, All-Hybrid Power By Jeff Gibbs In a major unveiling, Toyota has introduced the 2024 Toyota Camry in the US, showcasing a sleek redesign and an all-hybrid powertrain. Set to hit Australian showrooms in the second half of the next year, the ninth-generation Camry embraces a bolder exterior, enhanced technology, and an optional all-wheel-drive feature. Key Features: 1. Hybrid Power and All-Wheel Drive: The upcoming Camry will be exclusively available with hybrid power, marking a shift towards a more environmentally conscious approach. Additionally, all-wheel drive, a first for the model, will be offered as an option, providing enhanced versatility. 2. Design Evolution: While maintaining the
TNGA-K platform from its predecessor, the new Camry presents a dynamic facelift with a Priusinspired front-end design, complemented by striking tail-lights. The interior receives a major overhaul, featuring a rectangular theme for a contemporary and spacious feel. 3. Technological Advancements: The cabin boasts a redesigned dashboard, integrating Toyota’s next-generation wide-screen infotainment interface. The updated connected services, wireless smartphone mirroring, and additional USB ports enhance the driving experience. 4. Model Grades: The North American market will witness four model grades—LE, XLE, SE, and XSE. The latter two, emphasizing a sportier appeal, showcase distinctive exterior designs
with aggressive air ducts, intakes, and other sporttuned elements. 5. Performance: A newly-developed 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol-electric hybrid powertrain will power all variants, providing an “estimated” 168kW in front-wheel-drive and 173kW in all-wheel-drive configurations. The
elimination of the V6 engine underscores the brand’s commitment to hybrid technology. 6. Suspension and Dynamics: The Camry’s suspension system undergoes a “retuned” setup for sharper dynamics and improved ride comfort. SE and XSE variants will receive a unique ‘sport-tuned’
suspension to match their athletic persona. 7. Safety and Tech Features: Standard across the range are automatic LED headlights, alloy wheels, keyless entry and start, dual-zone climate control, four drive modes, and the Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 safety suite. Higher grades offer advanced features such
as a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch infotainment system. 8. Australian Perspective: Toyota Australia’s vice-president, Sean Hanley, highlights the brand’s commitment to a “multi-pathway approach to helping customers lower their carbon footprint through electrification.” Anticipating strong demand for the Camry’s distinctive design and ecofriendly features, Hanley expects the new model to reinforce the brand’s leadership in the mid-size sedan segment. As anticipation builds for the 2024 Toyota Camry’s arrival, its advanced features and hybrid power signal a significant leap forward in the iconic sedan’s evolution.
Great Wall Motors Achieves Milestone as First Chinese Carmaker to MassProduce Electric Vehicles Outside China, Utilizing Former Holden Factory By Jeff Gibbs In a significant development marking a milestone for the electric vehicle industry, Chinese automotive powerhouse Great Wall Motors (GWM) has commenced the production of electric cars at the former Holden Colorado Ute factory in Thailand. The inaugural vehicle, the GWM Ora Good Cat, an electric hatchback sold as the GWM Ora in Australia, recently rolled off the production line in Rayong, Thailand. GWM proudly claims the title
of being the first Chinese car manufacturer to undertake mass production of electric vehicles outside of China. Formerly operated by General Motors (GM) and utilized for manufacturing Holden vehicles, including the Colorado Ute and Trailblazer SUV, the Rayong facility became part of GWM’s portfolio following GM’s decision to exit right-hand-drive markets. GWM not only acquired the plant but also invested in upgrading it to produce
electric vehicles. The company initiated production of H6 Hybrid SUVs at the Thai factory in 2021. The GWM Ora, an affordable electric vehicle that gained recognition as Australia’s cheapest EV with early 2024 discounts, may potentially transition from its current sourcing in China to Thailand. GWM has yet to confirm this shift, but the move underscores the company’s commitment to leveraging the former Holden factory
GWM Ora
supplier, S-Volt, the Rayong factory holds the capacity to produce 120,000 vehicles annually. S-Volt, which completed a new !""#$%&&'()*+,#-*./#0.12)' BROWN!"#$%&$''(&$%((( & HURLEY KYOGLE factory in late 2023, BROWN & HURLEY KYOGLE operates production 266 Summerland Way, Kyogle !"#$%&'()*+,-./#0,(,)12/%&"'3#*'(2 266 Summerland Way, Kyogle BROWN BROWN BROWN & BROWN HURLEY BROWN &kyogle.admin@brownandhurley.com.au HURLEY & HURLEY && HURLEY KYOGLE HURLEY KYOGLE KYOGLE KYOGLE KYOGLE Ph: Ph: 0202 6632 0333 kyogle.admin@brownandhurley.com.au 6632 0333 4#,56/+78(*59:*7;7<(=78(*5>>?@A(* 266266 Summerland 266 Summerland 266 Summerland 266 Way, Way, Kyogle Way, Kyogle Way, Kyogle lines dedicated to hybrid Mon --Fri 8am -Summerland 5pm / Sat 8am -Kyogle 11:30am Mon Fri 8am -Summerland 5pm /Way, Sat 8am - Kyogle 11:30am )*+,-.$/0121&$$$)*+,-.$/34)(2 Lic.No MD1912 Lic.No MVRL39 Ph: 02 Ph:6632 02 Ph:6632 0333 02 Ph: 6632 0333 Ph: 02 kyogle.admin@brownandhurley.com.au 6632 02 0333 kyogle.admin@brownandhurley.com.au 6632 0333 kyogle.admin@brownandhurley.com.au 0333 kyogle.admin@brownandhurley.com.au kyogle.admin@brownandhurley.com.au vehicle modules and Lic.No MD1912 Lic.No MVRL39 Mon Mon - Fri -Mon 8am Fri 8am -Mon Fri 5pm Mon 8am - 5pm Fri / Sat - 8am -Fri 5pm /8am Sat 8am - 5pm /8am -Sat -11:30am 5pm /8am - Sat 11:30am / Sat 8am - 11:30am 8am - 11:30am - 11:30am battery packs for plug-in Lic.No MD1912 Lic.No MD1912 Lic.No Lic.No MD1912 Lic.No MVRL39 Lic.No MD1912 Lic.No MVRL39 MD1912 Lic.No MVRL39 Lic.No MVRL39 NEW & USEDLic.No TRUCK SALES / MVRL39 NEW &/ USED SALES / hybrid and fully-electric PARTS SERVICETRUCK / SMASH REPAIRS NEW NEW NEW & NEW NEW USED & USED & USED &USED TRUCK USED TRUCK TRUCK TRUCK TRUCK SALES SALES SALES SALES SALES / / / / /vehicles. PARTS /& SERVICE / SMASH REPAIRS PARTS PARTS PARTS PARTS PARTS / SERVICE / SERVICE / SERVICE / SERVICE / SERVICE / SMASH / SMASH / SMASH / SMASH / SMASH REPAIRS REPAIRS REPAIRS REPAIRS REPAIRS The Rayong province, with its established !"#$%&&$'"(#$ network of car factories )*++&$)%&+) and component manufacturers, serves as an ideal location for 3456378439:;6:<9:66=9:<>8;?>4@ GWM’s manufacturing endeavours. The coastal A/2$BC=44D4$)E=66EF$G439:;KYOGLEKYOGLE | DARRA KYOGLE | DARRA | TOWNSVILLE KYOGLE | DARRA |KYOGLE TOWNSVILLE | DARRA | TOWNSVILLE | COFFS DARRA | TOWNSVILLE | COFFS HARBOUR | TOWNSVILLE | COFFS HARBOUR | COFFS ROCKHAMPTON HARBOUR | COFFS | ROCKHAMPTON HARBOUR |HARBOUR ROCKHAMPTON | YATALA | ROCKHAMPTON | YATALA ROCKHAMPTON | TOOWOOMBA | YATALA | TOOWOOMBA | YATALA | TOOWOOMBA | YATALA | CABOOLTURE | TOOWOOMBA | CABOOLTURE | TOOWOOMBA | CABOOLTURE | TAMWORTH | CABOOLTURE | TAMWORTH | CABOOLTURE | TAMWORTH | TAMWORTH |region TAMWORTH is home to various | COFFS HARBOUR | ROCKHAMPTON | YATALA | TOOWOOMBA | CABOOLTURE | TAMWORTH !!!"#$%&'()'*&'))+&'*"#(,"$- KYOGLE | DARRA | TOWNSVILLE !"#$%&'!'()**)'!'+#,-./0%%&'!'1#22.'3)*4#5*''!'")+)%)' automotive giants, .$#)/((0"#(,1#$%&'()'*&'))+&'* *#1!3)67+#-'!'+##,##64)'!'1)4##%+5*&''!'+)6,#*+3 including the production for electric vehicle manufacturing. Situated in proximity to GWM’s battery
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of the current Ford Ranger for Australian markets and several other top-selling utes like the Toyota HiLux, Isuzu D-Max, Mazda BT-50, Mitsubishi Triton, and Nissan Navara, all manufactured in Thailand. As GWM leads the charge in electric vehicle production in Thailand, it is not the sole Chinese automaker venturing into the region. In November 2023, Changan broke ground on a new factory in Rayong, with plans to commence production in 2025, focusing on a hybrid four-wheel-drive model poised for the Australian market.
