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Toyota has built its first Camry in Russia
By Yoann Besnard on 23 December 2007 | 
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Toyota has held a ceremony for the first Camry built at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Russia in St. Petersburg. It is the first step of an ambitious plan from Toyota to conquer the booming Russian market.
With around 185 cars for 1,000 people, the Russian is quickli catching up with European countries where the corresponding figure is between 400 and 600, and Toyota is determined to have a share of the large pie. The plant is starting at 20,000 units a year and is intended to reach 50,000 vehicles within two years. But Toyota also plans a second plant if there a strong demand for its models. This second plant would have a 300,000 vehicles production capacity.
Toyota is joining the list of foreign automakers to build cars in Russia. Hyundai will also build a factory there by 2009. On of the fastest growing market in the world, Russia is also a minefield for foreign car makers. First, there is a lack of highly-skilled personnel and like in China, authorities might favour protectionism to promote domestic car makers.
