Why don't they make a decontented Camry hybrid?
 

It seems that the Camry hybrid's premium over a comparably equipped XLE is about $1000, or maybe even less when comparably equipped.

The problem is, you HAVE to get and pay for all these features when you get the Camry hybrid.

So if they really want to appeal to the masses and help the masses save gas, why don't they make a Camry hybrid with the same equipment levels as the volume LE?

It would be popular with people who don't necessarily want stuff like Push button start and fancy stereo (and there are a lot of them, seeing as how the LE is by far the best seller), and is just interested in saving gas.

It seems to me that a Camry hybrid with the exact same equipment as the 4 cyl. LE and priced at about $1000 higher would just sell in droves.

That would be nice. But then you also have the Pruis as well, which is cheaper by about 4 grand, more cargo room and better mileage. Would be some serious overlap.

Yeah if the Prius is so great, why does Toyota need a hybrid Camry?

Because the Prius does not have the HP and extra size of a Camry. I have driven the Prius and compare its size with a Corolla, not the Camry.

Now that the Camry is a hybrid, it offers much better mileage but with more space, power, and amenities than a Prius.

Just because the Prius is a great car does not mean they can do the same (and more) with a Camry. I mean, does BMW need an M5 if the M3 is so great?

heh, for a long time we are *****in how toyota needs more engines, now you are saying it needs less models? :-).

Reason Camry Hybrid is well equipped is that they can recover more costs by adding equippement. Camry Hybrid is probably best placed hybrid so far, it has excellent pricing...

Simple. Because some people want a non-SUV Toyota hybrid that looks like.....and has the controls of..........a normal car, more along the lines of the Honda Civic and Accord hybrids. I agree, myself......I have never liked the Prius' styling or the layout of its controls / gauges.

Now, as to the thread topic of a decontented Camry hybrid, I'm all for that too, but keep in mind that there is a limit to how much you can decontent a complex vehicle like that with two separate motors and an advanced hybrid computer system. Hybrids are notoriously expensive to produce, decontented or not.......one reason why I have posted so many times that I am more in favor of diesel, alcohol, natural-gas, and propane-powered cars than hybrids. We need better and more widespread infrastructure and support systems, however, for these non-gasoline powered alternative vehicles.

Its simple... would anyone care about 24k Camry Hybrid, with options from 4cly CE? I doubt it.
Options are like gravy to manufacturers. They cost fraction of their list price.

This is why Prius has so much equipment and one of the reasons it sells well. Otherwise, it would be larger Corolla...