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.
It’s been a month of celebrations and anniversaries for Toyota, with the start of production of the new Auris marked by a special gathering at the Burnaston car plant in Derbyshire. Business Secretary Vince Cable attended the event and welcomed Toyota’s continued investment in UK manufacturing and jobs.
The launch of the new Auris coincides with the 20th anniversary of Toyota’s UK manufacturing operations, giving us the opportunity to reflect on TMUK’s achievements and the different “built in Britain” Toyota models. To help mark the occasion the official Toyota Blog has launched a hunt for the oldest example of the Carina E – the first car built at Burnaston – that’s still on the road.
On the global stage, Toyota has reached its 75th anniversary as a vehicle manufacturer. Toyota Motor Corporation opened for business in November 1937 as an offshoot of the successful, family-owned Toyoda weaving company. Perhaps less well-known is the fact the investment to launch the company was part-funded by a deal struck with a UK textiles business.
Toyota has launched a new initiative to ensure it meets the needs of its business and fleet customers. The new Fleet Charter sets out how dealerships across the country will provide their fleet customers with prompt, efficient, professional and reliable service, at competitive prices.
A new Toyota van will join the LCV range next spring. The Proace is a medium-duty model that will offer up to 7m3 of loadspace and a choice of two diesel engines.
On the race track, Toyota’s return to the FIA World Endurance Championship ended on a high with back-to-back victories for Toyota Racing’s TS030 Hybrid at Fuji (Toyota’s home circuit in Japan) and Shanghai. In the UK, Frank Wrathall drove to a maiden victory in the Dynojet Avensis in the final race of the 2012 British Touring Car Championship.
The GT86 is proving a worldwide success, not least in the USA, where it is sold as the Scion FR-S. Custom car specialists have had the chance to demonstrate what they can do with the sports coupe in a Toyota-supported Tuner Challenge competition for this year’s SEMA customisation show in Las Vegas. The winner, Chris Basselgia, came up with this mint green special.
ENDS
