Toyota implements green marketing to promote the Camry Hybrid

Having positioned itself as a company fully committed to winning customers over with environmentally friendly products, Toyota Thailand is relying on green marketing to promote its Camry Hybrid.

Mr. Suparat Sirisuwannangkura, Senior Vice President of Toyota Motor Asia Pacific Engineering and Manufacturing, said the hybrid model would be priced at about 1.8 million - 2 million Baht, or no more than 100,000 Baht higher than the petrol-driven Camry.

Though manufactured locally, he said the profit per unit was smaller given the huge investment in technology, but Toyota had proceeded with the plan in order to benefit consumers.

He added that some of the parts for the Camry Hybrid were subject to a 30-percent import tariff. Therefore, if the tariffs were cut, the price could be also cut.

A year ago, Toyota asked the Finance Ministry to temporarily waive the tariffs for three to five years for major components such as batteries, motors and converters in order to boost demand and promote investment.

“Hybrid cars are friendly to the environment and reduce fuel expenses. Indeed, the price could be similar to the petrol-driven Camry but for the tariffs,” said Mr. Sirisuwannangkura.

Recently, he has spoken at a conference in Khon Kaen. Under the “Thailand Green Move Green Energy” concept, the conference is part of five events to be hosted nationwide to promote energy conservation. The next events are scheduled for Chiang Mai, Chonburi, Songkla and Bangkok.