Bond in a Camry?
The Sydney Morning Herald
Friday November 4 2005

In the next 007 film, the super agent may be driving a Toyota rather than an Aston Martin, TOBY HAGON reports.





Aston Martin boss Dr Ulrich Bez has told the producers of the James Bond movie franchise he will no longer pay a product placement fee to see the world's most famous spy drive a car from the British brand. Instead, the producers of the next Bond film are believed to be considering product placement money from ... Toyota.

The Bond films have provided Aston Martin with priceless exposure over the years and Bez is adamant Aston Martin is the only choice of car for the coming remake of Casino Royale and that any other brand would be a compromise.

Bond returned to driving an Aston Martin (the Vanquish) in the most recent Bond flick, Die Another Day, from 2002, but that may be his last.

Bez says: "We are not prepared to put cash in. But we will do everything else [supply cars and associated costs]."

The outspoken executive, who has worked for such car makers as Porsche and Daewoo, even quipped that Eon Productions should be paying Aston Martin for the privilege of having Bond driving an Aston Martin.

"Bond is only authentic in an Aston Martin," he says. "Bond is the best of British and Aston Martin has the best car that is British. If I was to be a little bit arrogant, I would say they should have to pay us."

In 1964, James Bond jumped behind the wheel of an Aston Martin DB5, which was the last car Bond producers had to pay for. The starring role for the car doubled sales for the brand, albeit from 200 to 400.

Bez says the British brand [now owned by US giant Ford] has the style and substance to bring unmatched credibility and publicity to the Bond franchise.

He says that Bond in a Toyota Camry would do little for publicity or credibility.

The dilemma for producers of the Bond films is that other car makers are prepared to pay millions to have Bond drive and, typically, destroy their automotive wares.

Cash-rich Toyota is said to be prepared to pay big dollars to be in the Bond film. Fiat has also been named as a possible sponsor.

Bond has never driven a Toyota, although he has been a passenger in a 2000 GT back in You Only Live Twice from 1967.

BMW payed big dollars for Bond to drive a Z3 in Goldeneye, a 7 Series in Tomorrow Never Dies and a Z8 in The World Is Not Enough.

Over his 43-year movie career, Bond has also driven various Bentleys (a favourite of Bond creator Ian Fleming), a Sunbeam Alpine (Dr. No), Citroen 2CV (For Your Eyes Only), Ford Mustang (Diamonds are Forever) and the famous submersible Lotus Esprit (The Spy Who Loved Me).

Casino Royale, which will see Bond played by newcomer Daniel Craig, is due for release in November 2006.

http://www.drive.com.au/editorial/ar...f=7&bg=24&pp=0

 

t put him in the lexus supercar

 

I think Bond would look better in the Volta than the LF-A (with that ugly nose) . . .

I don't like Daniel Craig as the choice for the next James Bond btw . . .

 

I hope Toyota gets it. It would be interesting to see what type of car they create for 007. And you can't beat the Japanese in terms of gadgets!

 

Why are they screaming "bond in a toyota camry". They just pick the best-selling car in the world just because they feel its boring relatively speaking for a bond car?
Toyota never said they would use the Camry.

Seems to me, the 'outspoken executive' needs to shut his trap, his remarks are just acidic and spiteful because he's getting outbid by Toyota.

But Bond in the LF-A or even the LS600h (a true technological powerhouse that would blow away the 7-series that Bond drove a couple films ago) would be pretty freaking sweet
Or better yet, Bond in a mint '02 JDM MKIV making like 800hp

 

Well maybe this will help Yoda push the build of the next Supra. But just keep this in mind: usually Bond DESTROIES the cars he rides around in... so be warned!

 

Seeing him in a Lex would be really cool.

 

I think it depends on the car. I kind of dislike the idea of him not being in an AM, but if Toyota/Lexus does it right it might just work. Good for them.

 

Well if they got a blond bond might as well put him in a Prius

 

I don't like Daniel Craig as Bond either, would've prefered Clive Owen. Remember those BMW films? I think a Lexus would be great for Bond films, however I'm concerned that Casino Royale will not be the kind of James Bond film we're used to, and may not have the glamour associated with casinos, dresses, diamonds, mansions, and Lexus automobiles. :

 

ROFL, good one Sick.

 

Being that the cars Bond is always are upscale, I'm going to have to say Lexus will be the car.
I still believe the next Supra if it releases relatively soon will be a IS twin so I don't really expect the Supra to be the next Bond car.

 

Uh.... this is 007 BOND here........... He's not driving a camry, and they aren't paying millions to put him in one...... This will be the LF-A screen debut.

 

Exactly my point! It sounds like jealousy to me claiming a camry

 

Agree LFA or Ls 600 would be awesome. Sorry, but who the hell is Daniel Craig any ways. What movie has he played in, and it sounds like producer trying to not pay to much for actors.