2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid could be imported from Japan

A slew of recent reports, most with a headline that reads something like this: “Toyota to stop importing Camry models from Japan,” may have led some Toyota aficionados to believe that most Toyota Camry Hybrids will be manufactured right here in the U.S. starting in 2012. It seems those aficionados would be mostly correct.

While it’s true that Toyota says it will no longer import Japanese-built Camry sedans into the U.S., there seems to be some indication that if demand for the typically slow-selling Camry Hybrid soars, then Toyota may have to export additional gas-electric sedans from Japan. Camrys of the gas-electric variety will continue to be manufactured in mass quantities over in Japan, with most set aside for Japan’s hybrid-crazy consumers, but some could eventually be U.S.-bound.

Since there’s no telling how well the totally redesigned Camry Hybrid – recent recipient of NADA Guides vehicle of the month award for September – will sell here in the States, it may be too early and perhaps even inaccurate to assume Toyota can crank out enough gas-electric Camrys in the U.S. to satisfy our demand.