Japan
The XV30 Camry was launched in Japan in September 2001. Daihatsu continued with its twin Altis model for the Japanese market.[10][11] The second generation Altis was introduced in the same month as the Camry, and was available with the 2AZ-FE 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine.[12] Visually, the Altis is very similar to the Japanese market Camry with the 4-cylinder engine.[11] The Verossa was also sold during this model timeframe, offering Japanese buyers a well-equipped sedan with similar dimensions to the Camry, with a rear-wheel drive powertrain setup, or an optional all-wheel drive that the Camry did not offer.[13] The Verossa was not a strong seller, and was replaced by the Mark X in 2004, continuing to offer a rear-wheel drive powertrain.
North America
US production started on July 23, 2001. In the United States, the basic CE model was dropped and the SE sport model was reintroduced.[14] The LE was available with a 2.4-liter inline-four with either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic. However, the SE introduced a 3.0 and a 3.3-liter V6 engine, now available with a five-speed automatic, as well as the aforementioned transmissions. Some of this generation Camry sold in the US are being produced at TMMK as well as at Tsutsumi Plant in Toyota, Aichi, Japan. A Camry manufactured in Japan is denoted with a VIN starting with "JTD", as well as a small hatch on the passenger's side of the front bumper containing equipment that is compatible with Japanese towing systems; US-made models are denoted with a VIN starting with "4T1".[15] In addition to the LE and SE trims, the top-of-the-line XLE came standard with alloy wheels, JBL premium audio system, and leather, as well as optional side airbags and Vehicle Stability Control (VSC).[14]
In 2002, for the 2003 model year, a few new features were added including the optional, power-adjustable pedals and pedal-type parking brake for the XLE trim.[16]
China
In China, the XV30 Camry was imported from Japan and launched there in 2004. The 2.4 litre 2AZ-FE was the only engine available, paired to the 4 speed automatic gearbox. Pricing for the Camry was 336.800 yuan ($US53,270 - January 2022 exchange rate).[18] As such, China received the same styling as the US, the Middle East, and Australia.
Australia and New Zealand
The Australian market Camry was released in September 2002. In Australia and New Zealand, the 2002 to 2006 Camry is available in five different trims: the Altise, Ateva, Sportivo, Grande (2004 onwards) and Azura. The Altise, Ateva and Sportivo are available with either the 2.4 L four-cylinder or the 3.0 L V6 engine, whilst the Grande and Azura were only available with the latter. Only the Altise and Sportivo models could be fitted with a manual transmission—all other models are equipped with a four-speed automatic transmission. In 2003, the V6-powered Altise Sport model was introduced, which is basically the Altise model with the sports suspension that was fitted on the Sportivo and Azura models and was available in manual and automatic transmission.[19] In terms of performance and specifications, the Australian and New Zealand market Camry Sportivo corresponds roughly to the American Camry SE.
The Australian and New Zealand models were significantly different from the other Camry models around the world and had around 77% locally developed components to suit Australian and New Zealand roads and driving conditions.[20] The brakes, body panels (which would only fit on the Australian made body and chassis), headlights, seats, radio antenna and suspension were all locally developed after 10,000 km of extensive testing in New Zealand under the supervision of Toyota engineers.[21] Power output on the Altise Sport, V6 Sportivo and Azura models was 145 kW compared with the 141 kW of the standard V6 models due to a high-flow rear muffler.
Middle East
In the Middle East, the fifth generation Camry is available in 4 variants: XLi, GLi, Touring and Grande V6.[26][27] The XLi trim comes reasonably equipped and is a common choice for taxis and is the volume seller. The Camry weathers extreme heat well and is often preferred by fleet buyers looking for reliability. The GLi trim adds alloy wheels, wooden panel interior and foglamps. The Touring and Grande trims come with a 3.0 LT V6 engine.[27]
Additionally, fifth generation Camrys were very popular in Saudi Arabia for "Tafheet" or Arab Drifting. The main objective is to drift the Camry sideways along the road (usually a long stretch of road or freeway), while sometimes even being in the flow of traffic. This is highly dangerous, as there have been instances of the rear suspension components failing and a rear wheel being lost.[28]
Taiwan and Southeast Asia
The Camry in Taiwan and Southeast Asia of this generation looked very similar to other versions, but the front end had a "thicker" grille and larger, all-white, differently shaped headlights.[29] The reverse lights were moved onto the trunk above the added rear fog lights and were somewhat similar to the lights on a second generation Avalon's trunk.[30] The older models from 2002 to 2003 had tail lights with a white streak across them,[31] while models 2004 and later did not.[32]
