The New Camry Hybrid 2019

Dear CHOCoM members...

Tomorrow the so-called new Toyota Camry will be shown at all Toyota dealers in Malaysia. The new Camry is labeled as the "Beautiful beast". I don't know whether this 2019 model is truly a beast but its design language is surely a big departure from the old which is a conservatively designed model or more or less the uncle or "Pak Cik" type design.

A piece of really sad news for CHOCoM members is that the new model will not include the hybrid variant. This is because the new Pakatan government (PH) has decided not to continue the tax incentive deduction as practiced by the previous BN government. The importation of the hybrid model from Thailand or Australia will surely result in higher prices which will definitely make it very uncompetitive in view of the more luxurious cars like C200 or the BMW 318 in terms of pricing.

The new Camry will be sold at RM 189 K without insurance as compared to the "old hybrid model" which was sold only at RM 163K. Some of us even managed to secure the car at 155K after huge rebates. The prices sold in Malaysia is not far off from established competitors like Mercedes C 200 which can be bought at RM 210 K or the Passat 2.0 Turbo with GTI engine at RM 160 K and BMW 318 at RM 190 - 200 K.

CHOCoM members could also rejoice that the new Camry is sold with the old 2.5 V engine rated at 184 PS at 600 rpm and 235 NM at 4,100 rpm. This old engine is also coupled with old 6-speed Aisin manufactured transmission. What a disappointment it is !!! ...But I'm not surprised by the action and thinking of UMW Toyota Malaysia headed by NAU graduate (a US graduate) Mr. Ravindran.who is more concerned about maximizing profit at the expense of the more demanding consumers.

However, those in Thailand would rejoice as their car comes with the new 2.5-liter Dynamic Force Engine with 208 PS and 252 Nm of torque with new eight-speed automatic transmission. The performance of the new Camry with this new engine is expected to be more refined and efficient.

Would I upgrade my "old car" and get the new Camry 2019? The answer is a big NO ....NO. I'm just not eager to get the car with an old engine and transmission and sold at a premium price. I would gladly get a Mercedes C 200 or the VW Passat with its 2.0 Turbo engine at a much cheaper price instead. Sorry UMW Toyota you have not made a wise decision...