Anyone with a green thumb knows that every modern rose is a hybrid.

Toyota's latest Australian-built car is also a hybrid – the Hybrid Camry.

So, what better commemorative gift could anyone consider for the official unveiling of the Hybrid Camry than a special hybrid rose?

It's an historic occasion because it marks the start of full-scale production of the first hybrid car to be built in Australia.

That's exactly what Toyota’s done today.

About 150 special guests attending a ceremony at the company's manufacturing plant in Melbourne were presented with the Hybrid Camry rose.

The ceremony marks the start of full-scale production of Australia's first locally built hybrid car, Hybrid Camry.

Being hybrids, the rose and the car have a lot in common.

First of all, both were created to produce certain superior characteristics.

Toyota developed the Hybrid Camry sedan to offer customers two often contradictory characteristics – excellent performance on the one hand with great fuel economy and low emissions on the other.

Similarly, the Hybrid Camry rose was developed to thrive in drier climates as a tough, hardy plant that needs little attention.

A second similarity is that both the car and the rose have excellent pedigrees.

Toyota matched Australia’s best-selling mid-size car for the past 16 years and the company's fuel-saving Hybrid Synergy Drive® technology.

Rose breeder Tom Carruth developed the Hybrid Camry rose from the 'Countess Celeste' and 'Betty Boop' varieties.

A further link is that the hybrid (both the bloom and the automobile) is widely regarded for its regenerative capabilities.

The car captures energy from the brakes, converts it to electricity and stores it in the hybrid battery for later use.

The rose is regarded as a blooming machine – quick to flower after it is has been "dead-headed" (old flowers removed).

If more proof were needed of the appropriateness of the flower, it features long, white buds that open to reveal a scarlet interior – mimicking Toyota's red-and-white corporate colours.

The Hybrid Camry rose was supplied by Swane's Nurseries Australia.

Hybrid Camry is being built at Toyota Australia's Altona Manufacturing Plant, which employs 3,200 people.

The latest Toyota will be available from February at the company's national network of more than 200 dealers.

Hybrid Camry Rose

Colour: Brilliant scarlet with a white reverse

Fragrance: Slight, fresh apple

Foliage: Glossy deep green

Height: Low, rounded to 110cm

Flower size: 90mm in large clusters

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