Toyota to export US-made Camry to South Korea

[The Northerner]

WASHINGTON — Toyota unveiled plans on Monday to begin exporting Camry sedans made in the United States to South Korea next month.

Toyota said the plan marks the first time the US-built Camry will be exported outside of North America.

"The export of thousands of Camry vehicles to South Korea is an important development that builds on the great work of our talented US team members as well as our extensive investments across North America to help maintain a strong, stable base of US jobs," said Yoshimi Inaba, president and chief operating officer of Toyota Motor North America, Inc.

The cars will be produced at Toyota's manufacturing facility in Georgetown, Kentucky, the Japanese automaker's largest plant outside of Japan.

Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5i7WmfA03hbZHNL8v32RA0yFFfQUg

[dipsydoodle]

1. This pre-assumes

That South Koreans actually want Toyota Camry's.

[ellisonz]

3. It's one of the best-selling cars in the world

No reason it shouldn't sell well in an economy like South Korea's, although I suppose there is an interesting element to the proposition considering traditional South Korean hatred of the Japanese.

[dipsydoodle]

5. They do make plenty of cars there themslves though.

It could be that the Camry would need to be sold at a loss to compete.

[ellisonz]

7. Well obviously Toyota thinks they can sell them for a profit...

...otherwise this venture would not be happening. They should export the Prius too.

[Romulox]

10. That doesn't follow at all. The Prius, which you mention, was sold at a loss for YEARS

in order to solidify market dominance.

[ellisonz]

15. I was just pointing out...

...that hybrids would probably do great in South Korea.

Should Toyota have stopped production of the Prius?

[pampango]

2. "This will be the second model Toyota exports to South Korea."

"The Japanese automaker began shipping its Sienna minivan, assembled in Princeton, Ind., to South Korea last month."

http://www.freep.com/article/20111205/BUSINESS01/111205019/Toyota-begins-exporting-U-S-made-Camrys-South-Korea?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE

"The Camry was the third most popular import in South Korea in 2010. Until this month, the 17 Toyota and Lexus models sold in South Korea were all from Japan."

http://news.businessweek.com/article.asp?documentKey=1376-LUS6O70UQVI901-3RTNM4C2QI2M7OSO9Q765E3F9T

[Fawke Em]

4. And shipping the profits back to Japan.

[DainBramaged]

6. Yep

[Nye Bevan]

9. Aren't American jobs more important than corporate profits? (nt)

[Romulox]

11. LOL. nt

[Romulox]

8. Looks like so-called "free trade" with Korea was largely for the benefit of JAPANESE companies stung

by the strength of the Yen. :puke:

[Nye Bevan]

12. In this case it's benefiting American auto workers.

I imagine that these workers in Kentucky think that free trade isn't so bad after all.

[Romulox]

13. You mean non-unionized workers in race-to-the-bottom states -only- though. Coincidence?

:hi:

[Nye Bevan]

14. Toyota workers are free to unionize if they decide they want to.

And if they do, I will support their decision.