Toyota Expands Yaris Line for 2009 with Third Model and New Safety Features

TORRANCE, Calif. August 1, 2008; Toyota is adding a five-door Liftback, to its popular, fuel-efficient Yaris subcompact model line for 2009.

The versatile new five-door Yaris joins the three-door Liftback and four-door Sedan, making Yaris the only model line in its segment to offer a full complement of three body styles. Toyota projects 130,000 Yaris sales for calendar year 2009, with the new five-door accounting for about a third of those. Yaris five-door will begin arriving in dealerships in August.

Also new for 2009, all Yaris models feature as standard equipment an anti-lock brake system (ABS), front seat-mounted side airbags and front and rear curtain side airbags. Cruise control is now available on Liftback models, and audio systems are satellite ready/capable. Yaris delivers outstanding fuel economy and for 2008 was awarded the lowest cost of ownership in its segment according to Intellichoice®.

The Toyota Yaris brings a high level of balanced value, safety and a fun-to-drive experience to the entry subcompact segment. Its 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine is equipped with variable valve timing with intelligence (VVT-i) and produces 106 horsepower at 6,000 RPM and 103 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,200 RPM. The optional four-speed automatic transmission features uphill/downhill shift logic to reduce gear “hunting” for smooth performance when driving in hills. A five-speed manual is the standard transmission.

The Yaris Sedan rides on a 100.4-inch wheelbase versus 96.9 inches for both Liftback models. The Yaris Sedan has an overall length of 169.3 inches compared to 150.6 inches for the Liftback models, and the Sedan is 2.5 inches lower than the Liftbacks, as well.

The Yaris is built around a highly rigid yet lightweight structure incorporating strategic use of high-tensile steel. Damping materials strategically located throughout the body structure reduce noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) to help give Yaris a comfortable, quiet ride. Suspension and steering are tuned to deliver responsive handling, a smooth ride and excellent maneuverability, including a remarkably tight 32.6-ft. turning radius. Both the Yaris Liftback and Sedan ride on standard P175/65 R14 tires with steel wheels and full wheel covers (Sedan and Liftback S have standard P185/60R15) and offer available newly-styled 15-inch steel or aluminum-alloy wheels.

The instrument cluster is center-mounted and high on the dash to enhance forward visibility. Generous standard convenience features on Yaris Liftback and Sedan models include air conditioning; tilt steering wheel; digital clock; a map light; intermittent windshield wipers with mist control; and dual sunvisors with vanity mirrors. All models offer 60/40 split rear seating for three with headrests in each seating position.

Sporty S models have a newly designed front and rear underbody spoiler and a new interior color scheme distinguishes Yaris Sport models for 2009. The sport-themed Liftback and Sedan S models feature color-keyed front and rear under-bumper spoilers, sporty interior trim, rear deck spoiler, fog lamps, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, AM/FM/CD player with MP3/WMA capability, satellite ready, integrated iPod audio unit, universal mini-jack port and “S” badging. Aluminum-alloy wheels are available.

Pricing for the all-new five-door model will be announced later this month.

Toyota to put hybrid engine in all models

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich., Aug. 16 (UPI) — All Toyota models will have hybrid engines by 2020, the company has announced at an automotive conference.

The success of Toyota’s Prius sedan has helped spark both foreign and American automobile manufacturers to come up with more fuel-efficient designs. General Motors (NYSE:BGM) is pushing development of its new plug-in hybrid vehicle by 2010, while Ford Motor Co. (NYSE:F) plans next year to double its lineup and production of hybrids. Honda Motors announced recently it will have a new hybrid to compete at a lower price against the Prius by 2009, The Wall Street Journal reported Friday.

Rising consumer demand has meant Toyota and Ford have not been able to build enough hybrid vehicles. Contrary to many experts’ assumptions, Toyota’s head of North American sales, Bob Carter, has said his company makes a profit on its more than 1 million Prius hybrids sold worldwide.

Toyota to build fuel-sipping Prius hybrid in US

by Justin Cole
Fri Jul 11, 9:43 AM ET

Japanese auto giant Toyota said Thursday that it plans to start assembling its fuel-sipping Prius hybrid car in the United States with production slated to begin in late 2010.

Toyota announced plans to start US production of its gasoline and electric powered hybrid car as rival US auto firms like General Motors, Ford and Chrysler suffer sharp sales declines for gas-guzzling trucks, pickups and sport utility vehicles (SUVs).

“Prius, which will join the Kentucky-built Camry Hybrid as the second Toyota hybrid built in North America, enables Toyota to better respond to increased consumer demand for hybrid vehicles,” Toyota said.

US consumer demand for hybrids and more fuel-efficient vehicles has increased in the past year as world oil prices have spiked dramatically. The surge in oil prices has stoked gasoline prices, making Americans more wary of the cost of the fuel they pump into their vehicles.

A new Prius can run to around 48 miles (77 kilometers) per gallon of fuel in city traffic compared to a large SUV which may run to 13 miles (21 kilometers) a gallon depending on how each vehicle is driven.

Such fuel economy can cut hundreds of dollars off an annual fuel bill for Prius drivers.

Proud owners who post messages on websites like “the Prius owners group” boast about the car’s fuel economy, and of how they take long highway trips without worrying about their gasoline bills.

Toyota said it planned to start producing the Prius at an assembly plant presently under construction in Blue Springs, Mississippi. The first US-produced Prius cars are due to roll off the assembly lines in two years time.

Prius sales in the United States have been boosted by tax credits for fuel-efficient vehicles.

And some US states allow Prius drivers to zip along restricted carpool lanes, normally reserved for cars carrying several passengers, on busy highways even if they are carrying no other passengers.

Toyota reported 11,765 Prius sales in June, marking a 25 percent drop from a year earlier, but it said limited production volumes had skewed its sale numbers. The car sells for around 21,000 dollars.

The global auto giant is building new plants, the company is constructing another plant in Ontario, Canada, as rival US automakers close plants and cut back assembly operations.

GM announced plans last month to shut four North American truck and SUV plants. The US auto group is meanwhile ramping up production of its own lineup of fuel-efficient vehicles.

Toyota’s growing heft was underlined during the first three months of this year when it overtook GM as the world’s biggest vehicle maker, although GM executives remain confident they will retain the top spot for the year.

Toyota has not been able to fully insulate itself from the downturn in large vehicle sales hitting the US auto market, the world’s largest.

The company also said Thursday that it would temporarily suspend production of its Tundra pickup truck and Sequoia SUV beginning August 8. Production is due to resume in November.

Toyota said affected workers would continue to be provided work.

“By using this downturn as an opportunity to develop team members and improve our operations, we hope to emerge even stronger,” Toyota vice president Jim Wiseman said.

Toyota is moving to consolidate production of the Tundra pickup truck to its San Antonio plant in Texas by next year and plans to halt assembly of the pickup at an Indiana plant.

In a further production update, Toyota said it would now build the Highlander mid-size SUV, originally scheduled to be built in Mississippi, at its Princeton, Indiana plant.

Toyota’s North American footprint presently consists of 13 manufacturing plants and over 43,000 employees.

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