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.
Concern for the environment is at the heart of everything Toyota does and its success in putting ideas into action have led to it retaining its number one position in the annual Best Global Green Brands report for the second year running. Published by the international brand consultancy Interbrand, the report assesses businesses environmental performance, measuring the gap between their “green image” and what they actually deliver.
And when it comes to making cleaner, more efficient vehicles, Toyota takes another important step next week with the UK launch of Prius Plug-in. Even before it’s reached the showroom, the model has made a winning start, picking up the honour in the “large family” category in the Next Green Car Awards . In Europe, Prince Albert of Monaco was first in line to take delivery, testing a Prius Plug-in on the streets of Monte Carlo as a possible replacement for his standard Prius hatchback.
Prius Plug-in is the third member of the new Prius family, taking its place alongside the standard hatchback and the new Prius+ MPV. Using a new, rechargeable lithium-ion battery, it’s able to cover longer distances and reach higher speeds on electric power alone (with zero tailpipe emissions), while switching seamlessly to its hybrid system once the level charge runs low. That means none of the “will I make it?” range anxiety that’s commonly associated with all-electric vehicles.
A simple plug-in connection to a suitable home or workplace power supply can have the battery back up to full charge in about an hour-and-a-half.
Toyota Motor Corporation and BMW AG have agreed a new deal to strengthen their co-operation in a series of new projects. They have signed a memorandum of understanding that paves the way for their long-term strategic collaboration in four technological fields: joint development of a fuel cell system, joint development of a future sports vehicle, working together on powertrain electrification, and joint R&D of lightweight technologies.
An agreement is already in place between the two companies to collaborate on research into next-generation lithium-ion battery technology , and BMW has a contract to supply Toyota in Europe with diesel engines from 2014.
Toyota hosted a spectacular public launch for its new GT86 sports coupe at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the model taking pride of place in its show pavilion among a superb array of the company’s past and present race, rally and road stars. Information and pictures of the key cars featured at the festival are on the media website, with more behind-the-scene stories and videos posted on our blog, Facebook and YouTube pages.
What’s the “most American car”? A Toyota Camry, according to the latest survey by cars.com in the USA. Camry, a “mid-size sedan” has taken top spot in the rankings four years running, judged on the level of domestically produced components it uses. What’s more, Toyota had more models in the cars.com index than any other manufacturer.
Toyota’s worldwide roll-out of hybrid technology across more of its established model ranges continues in the USA with the announcement that a full hybrid version of the Avalon saloon will be introduced later this year, built in North America.
Plug in your car and turn on the TV: in Japan, Toyota has developed a system for using a plug-in hybrid vehicle to provide power in the home. Trials of the Mutual Power Supply System will start in Toyota City at the end of this year. The company has also announced a new summer energy-saving initiative for its factories with the installation of new energy-efficient power generators.
