Bangalore: Toyota on October 19 launched in India its mid-class luxury sedan "Camry" as it geared up for competition in the 'D' segment of the domestic car market.

Bangalore-based Toyota Kirloskar Motor Limited (TKML) said it is planning to sell 1,000 units of Camry in the first year by completely built unit (CBU) route.

At a news conference in Bangalore, TKML managing director Sachio Yamazaki said, with Camry, the company wants to build a strong brand image for Toyota.

"We are not keen on chasing market-share for Camry. We don't want to kill competition. We want to be in harmony with others," he said.

TKML reiterated on October 19 that its plans to manufacture passenger car "Corolla", Toyota's top-selling car in Japan for over three decades now, in the first quarter of 2003 here is on track. Unlike Camry, TKML wants to sell Corolla in large numbers in India, Yamazaki indicated.

Camry has two variants, the difference being only in seating packaging, TKML's general manager (marketing) Sandeep Singh said. V1 is priced at Rs 17.95 lakh (ex- showroom Bangalore) and V3 Rs 18.45 lakh.

TKML deputy managing director K K Swamy said the price includes about 120 per cent of customs duty, 4 per cent of central sales tax and 12 per cent local taxes.

Camry comes with a 2.4 litre engine with VVT-I (variable valve timing-intelligent, an advanced technology engine developed by Toyota), the company said. The car has a top speed of 208.24 km per hour, it was stated.

Singh said TKML would position Camry as the "most luxurious and comfortable car". Camry, TKML said, has been the best selling passenger car in the US for four years in a row from 1997, and it sold in more than 100 countries.

Singh said the Rs 15 lakh-plus segment has a size of 350 to 400 vehicles per month, up from around 250 in September 2001, and the company expects the trend to continue.

Yamazaki said 4,000 to 5,000 vehicles are sold in this segment annually in India, adding, TKML planned to sell 1,000 units, giving it a 20 to 25 per cent market share in the category.

Swamy said Camry would give TKML "very little margin" but did not disclose the figure.

Yamazaki said Camry offers the "highest levels in comfort, driving performance and safety". The Camry launched in India is the sixth generation of Toyota Camry. "It rides on an all-new platform and is more spacious, quieter and powerful than its predecessors", a company release said.

Toyota Motor Corporation has sold more than 8 million units of Camry all over the world since it was first introduced in 1983, it was stated.

TKML, launched in October 1997, launched Qualis as a premium multi-purpose vehicle in January 2000 and has sold more than 69,000 units till date, the release said.

PTI