Where in the World Are These Wheels?

January 24, 2012 | Posted to: Associates, Products, Toyota
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Photo by Jana Martin Kemp
This Toyota Scepter wagon intercepts tourists in Moscow, Russia.
 
We recently asked Driver’s Seat readers to identify the country as part of our “Where in the World Are These Wheels?” contest. After drawing the winning entry from all of the correct responses, we are happy to congratulate Mari Helenihi, quality specialist at the Portland Parts Distribution Center.
 
Submitting the photo was Jana Martin Kemp, assistant project manager, External Affairs, Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing North America (TEMA).
 
“On a trip to Moscow in September 2007, my husband and I hired a driver for one of our trips,” she wrote. “Paul, our driver, drove a Scepter wagon, which was made only at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky. I was working at TMMK during the time the Scepter was made and was surprised to see this one in Russia.”
 
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Camry on the Concourse – A Camry was the featured display in the departure concourse at the Sheremetyevo International Airport in Moscow when TEMA team member Jana Martin Kemp visited Russia in September 2007.
A Japanese version of the Camry station wagon, the Scepter wagon was among the first Toyota models assembled in the United States to be exported to Japan. Toyota began exporting the Scepter in 1992 and continued producing it through 1996.
 
Kemp said the Scepter she encountered in Russia was in pristine condition.
 
“However,” she added, “Paul is looking for replacements for some of the woodgrain accents on his instrument panel, if anyone knows where we can get some!”
By Susan Pack
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