Toyota Camry History
When Toyota first introduced the Camry to the market in 1982, they probably didn’t expect the sedan to cause such a big splash. But splash it did, quickly becoming — and remaining — one of the leading nameplates coming off Toyota assembly lines. Now, the Camry has established itself as one of the top go-to mid-size sedans in the industry.
More Camry: Meet the new 2022 Toyota Camry
Early history
The Toyota Camry is now a mid-size sedan, but in the beginning it was much smaller. When it first began production at Toyota’s Aichi, Japan, assembly plant in March 1982, the Camry was considered a compact sedan. The move towards a mid-size car wasn’t until 1991 when a global demand for a larger sedan made itself apparent.
The Camry succeeded the Toyota Celica Camry in Japan and the Toyota Corona in North America. It began as a model in the Celica lineup and eventually split off to become its own model. It really found its popularity in 1997 as the demand for economic sedans grew. After that, the Camry became the best-selling sedan in America.
Recent history
Besides the move from the compact sedan segment to the mid-size, there have been multiple changes to the Toyota Camry throughout its six generations. Rather than its original two trim levels — DX and LE — the Camry is now offered with five different grades — LE, SE, XLE, XSE, and TRD. There is also a range of powertrain options, including a hybrid variant.
Toyota Camry fun facts
- The name “Camry” comes from the Japanese word kanmuri, which means “crown”
- The Camry has consistently been a best-selling passenger car since 1997
- It’s considered a luxury car in Japan and other East and Southeast Asian markets
- Toyota based the Lexus ES on the Camry
Catherine Hiles (she/her) is a native Brit living and working in Dayton, Ohio. Cat has written about a variety of subjects, including finance, cars, and parenting. She is a frequent contributor to Dayton Mom Collective, The Penny Hoarder, and WDW Magazine.
Cat lives with her husband, their two kids, and their energetic pitbull mix. She counts running, lifting weights, walking, and reading among her hobbies. See more articles by Cat.