At the end of this year Toyota will cease local production of its trusty Camry sedan a car that in recent years has contributed significantly to our export income. More than 920,000 Camry’s have been sold over a 34-year period. So for 2018 Toyota will import the 8th generation Camry from Japan and the car was preview in the U.S. this week – a far more adventurous design this new Camry sitting on new global architecture will chase the same monthly sales tally of its local predecessor but will be hamstrung with a dearer sticker price.

For this reason Toyota is predicting a sales decline with the new model which on first impression is a big step up, the styling has more character, to some extent Lexus skewed and very appealing. The 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine will continue but also a new 3.5-litre V6 matched to an eight speed automatic. A new petrol electric Hybrid will also be the centre of focus but cost may mean it will not longer find appeal with taxi fleets. I’m David Berthon

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