Well, if that's true (and you might indeed be correct), then Toyota probably won't have any problem selling all 12,000 (or more) of the Special-Edition models it plans to produce. I can't speak for the L.A. region, but, here in the D.C. area (which is also a huge new-car market, generally second to L.A.) sporty Camrys don't seem to be all that high on most buyers' lists, though, of course, regular Camrys go like free beer at Happy Hour.

 

Liking all the blue accents

 

Same here...

 

Well you know a regular camry means a guy has given up on life and waved the white flag, a special edition special edition camry means at least a guy is willing to go down swining.

Hey, they could had it worst....

Infinity Infinity ***** Leaker INFINIT.

 

i think the new refresh was an important step for toyota, and a good one, to play catch-up. this special edition is pretty much pure profit fluff that honda and toyota have been doing for years.

 

As far as the profits go, that works best if the supply and demand scenario for the vehicle allows dealerships to charge more than list (ADM/Additional Dealer Markup) from high demand and low supply (in this case, 12,000 units). Though I agree (from my earlier posts) that Toyota will probably sell those 12,000 units, I don't see the demand for the Special Edition model being high enough for true ADMs and profiteering. After all, Special Edition or not, this is still, under the nice blue trim and equipment, basically a mid-size, bread and butter family sedan.

 

Me too. It reminds me of the Celica GT-S TRD Edition that TCI had up here late in the last generation.

If I'm not mistaken, the SE is a very popular model (especially since the 2012 version wasn't much more coin than the base LE and you had a more visually appealing Camry). Perhaps this is targeting those that are looking at the SE and want something a little different from the neighbour's Camry SE.

 

SE has been 45% of sales so far, per Toyota... so it is most important version, thats why it gets Special Edition model... XSE is new so we dont know about its sales...

 

This "Special Edition" is just another option package; the difference between this package and one such as the Convenience Package is that this is more of an appearance package than a functional package. But just like any other option package, it will make money for Toyota.

Toyota's option packages combine highly desirable (and possibly relatively high-cost) items (like Qi Wireless Charging) that are normally standard equipment on higher trims (Qi is available on the XSE and XLE), with low-cost (or perhaps even no-cost) items such as blue stitching and "special" floor mats, at a price that is greater than the cost of adding all these options on the assembly line (what is the difference of adding Qi to an SE or XSE on the line?).

By combining high-desire/high-cost items with lower-cost items, Toyota marketing justifies a package price that is high enough to make lots of money but just low enough that buyers believe that it is a bargain ("Get an SE with some of the features of the XSE, at a lower price").

Toyota could have added this option package to any lower-end model (LE or SE) but because the added bling of the higher-price (and extremely popular) SE over the LE already sells, Toyota can probably justify a higher option package price on the SE than if it was added to the LE.