Ebrahim K Kanoo is confident Bahrain’s love affair with the Japanese brand of Toyota will grow even stronger with the launch of the 2012 Toyota Camry.
Since its debut in 1982 and subsequent evolution over six generations, the Camry has come to be embraced by many drivers not only for its performance but also its high level of quality, durability and perhaps most significantly, its reliability.
Ismael Akbar, Ebrahim K Kanoo’s executive general manager of sales, believes the new models on display at Sunday’s launch at the company’s Sitra showroom will offer something for everyone … plus a lot more.
“There are plenty of improvements to what was always an impressive car; the handling is better, it’s more spacious and there is less interior noise– touch is important and I think once drivers have taken the new Camry out on a test drive they will be as impressed as I was,” he said.
Camry’s chief designer Keiichi Yoneda travelled from Japan to be at the launch event and revealed at the press conference that more than 15 million had been sold worldwide since its creation.
Mr Yoneda says work on the new design started in 2006 and the company concentrated on developing and completing the project despite the setback of the tsunami and earthquake which devastated Japan last year.
The exterior boasts a sporty, sharp look with an aggressive front grille and side profile and the spacious interior has all the latest electronic gadgetry you would expect from the marque.
There is a smart entry and start system, touch screen with navigation system, back view monitor as well as a dual zone air conditioning system.
The Camry is available in four grades GL, GLX, GLX with sunroof to keep the nation’s taxi drivers, families and businessmen happy plus a special SE grade which comes with snazzy head lamps, a sporty rear spoiler, a bluetooth voice recognition system, vanity mirrors with lamps for both driver and passenger and floor illumination for those who like to stand out in the crowd.
The small island of Bahrain has helped contribute to the success of the Toyota brand with it sitting comfortably as the nation’s favourite car maker. Ebrahim K Kanoo says its extensive service facilities and the availability of affordable genuine parts have played a major role in its success story.
On the road prices of the latest Camry are BD9,200-BD10,900.