Recap: a digest of recent Toyota news
Missed out on the news? Catch up here and click the links to access the full stories and pictures.
The international media launch of GT86 began last week and the full press pack, images and video footage are available on our media website.
Prior to reaching the UK’s roads in July, the new sports coupe has picked up the Car of the Year title from Vehicle Dynamics International, a global publication that focuses on ride and handling technology. At the same time its chief engineer Tetsuya Tada was named Dynamicist of the Year and Toyota the Team of the Year title, which all bodes well for future models as well as getting GT86 off to a great start.
Toyota took an industry lead in bringing hybrid power to the market back in the 1990s and has helped transform it from a technological novelty to part of the motoring mainstream. That’s reflected in new industry data that show hybrid’s popularity has increased to the point where it now claims about 1.3 per cent of the annual new car market. And over the past five years, Toyota and Lexus have sold by far and away the most hybrids – 77,000, which is more than three in every four registered.
Hybrids are particularly popular with business drivers, who can save a lot of money simply by choosing a low emissions vehicle that comes with a low company car tax rating. Toyota and Lexus Fleet Services have launched a new Company Car Tax Guide app for smartphones and PCs that provides a comprehensive explanation of car and LCV tax matters and a calculator for Benefit-in-Kind tax rates. And it’s free to download, too.
After a frustrating start to the season, Toyota independent racer Frank Wrathall was back on the podium at Thruxton circuit in April, guiding his racing Avensis to a third-place finish. The Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship is taking a break this month, but will be back in action at Oulton Park on 10 June.
A new electric-powered RAV4 has been revealed by Toyota at this year’s Electric Vehicle Symposium in Los Angeles, moving the company closer to the market launch of the zero-emissions compact SUV later this year. Developed with electric vehicle specialists Tesla, the new model should have a driving range of about 100 miles and be fully rechargeable in around six hours.
The Beijing motor show has become an even of world importance for the auto industry and at this year’s event Toyota took the opportunity to present two new concept vehicles: the Yundong Shuangqing, designed specifically for the Chinese market; and the Toyota Dear Qin compact saloon and hatchback.
Meanwhile in Japan, Toyota continues to develop a presence in the country’s ‘mini-vehicle’ market with the launch of Pixis Epoch G, powered by a 660cc engine. Built for Toyota by Daihatsu, it has a 660cc petrol engine, CVT system and a choice of front or all-wheel drive.
ENDS
