The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Toyota

  • Toyota to invest $100 million in self-driving vehicles

    Toyota is planning to invest $100 million in autonomous driving vehicles and robotic technology start-ups.

    The automaker is increasingly pushing the self-driving market.

    Toyota AI Ventures, a Silicon Valley-based subsidiary of Toyota, plans to invest the money into early-stage startups that develop “disruptive” technologies in those fields, the company said.

    “Auto manufacturers must participate in the startup ecosystem to stay ahead of the rapid shift in the auto industry,” Jim Adler, managing director of Toyota AI Ventures, said in a statement.

    The company said the fund is part of Toyota’s mission to help “discover what’s next” for Japan’s biggest automaker.

    Toyota’s AI venture fund has already invested in 19 different start-ups over the last two years, bringing its total funding commitment to autonomous driving technology to $200 million, the company said.

    “The growing interest in automated systems has created great opportunities to improve human lives using AI and next-generation mobility technology,” Dr. Gill Pratt, chief executive officer at the Toyota Research Institute, said in a statement. Pratt added the fund will help “bridge the gap” between automakers and technology startups focused on autonomous transportation.

    This is just the most recent investment Toyota is making in the autonomous vehicle market. In April, Toyota and auto-parts supplier Denso said they would together invest $667 million into Uber’s self-driving vehicle unit. Toyota is also committed to contributing an additional $300 million to Uber’s push into self-driving vehicles over the next three years.

    At the 2018 Consumer Electronics Show, Toyota also unveiled a self-driving concept food delivery vehicle called the e-Pallette. The e-Pallette was part of a partnership with Amazon to help Amazon explore ways to use self-driving cars for food delivery.

    Entering the autonomous vehicle market has been a goal for many automakers, with companies like Ford, BMW and Daimler all looking to innovate in self-driving vehicles. In April, Ford said it aims to have 100 self-driving vehicles on the road by the end of 2019. Ford announced in March that it is building a new factory in Michigan to focus on its self-driving vehicle efforts.

    BMW and Daimler also said in February that they are collaborating to develop automated driving technologies.

  • Toyota introduces Rush into market

    •New SUV targets Sportage, Tucson, Escape market

    Kia Sportage, Hyundai Tucson, Ford Escape and others  are in for a serious challenge as Toyota Nigeria Limited (TNL) introduces the new generation Rush into the auto market.

    The Rush is being brought into the market to fulfil customer yearnings for a Toyota Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) that will compete with the aforementioned SUVs.

    The Rush was first introduced in 1997 in 5-door estate form and was called Terios Kid or Toyota Cami.

    Its supply was restricted to the Japanese market initially until after a few years.

    Toyota Rush is manufactured in Indonesia from where it is supplied to most of Asia and the African continent.

    The Rush’s first generation was between 1997 and 2006; second generation – 2006 and 2017.

    The third generation, which started from 2018, is known for its bold yet fresh design language that never fails to make an impression.

    Impressive features like projector headlamps, dual-tone grille, LED taillights and more that makes the Rush a head turner.

    With Rush, spacing is never an issue. It does not only offer great boot space but also grants impressive headroom and legroom, allowing occupants to take long journeys at ease.

    The Rush is designed in such a way that it gives the driver a great view of the road ahead

    Speaking at the launch in Lagos last Tuesday, TNL Managing Director, Kunle Ade-Ojo, described the Toyota Rush as a befitting vehicle imbued with the trappings of the Toyota superior quality.

    Ade-Ojo said the vehicle is a beauty to behold, stating that the Rush favourably competes within its segment on the platform of elegance, price and the enviable Toyota family heritage.

    “A heritage built on trust, the will to continually satisfy customers and customer safety which is paramount. As a corporate and responsive organisation, Toyota (Nigeria) Limited will continually strive to yield to the aspirations of our dear customers by enriching our stables with magnificent vehicles, offering attractive variants and surpassing customer expectations,” he said.

    According to him, inclement economic landscape of Nigeria has not deterred the company, adding that it has positively impacted on the company’s creativity in responding to the demands of its customers all over Nigeria.

    He said TNL will continue to push the frontiers of technology to keep its customers satisfied and also uphold its culture of excellence.

    “I am very pleased and thrilled by this model that “fuses dynamic energy with sharp elegant styling”. Available in three variants, the Rush is equally imbued with magnificent interior beauty and comfort. It is targeted at aspirational individuals that love the comfort and status of an SUV with excellent drive and affordable price.

    “It is no exaggeration that the rich pedigree of this model already imbues it with outstanding attributes peculiar only to all its siblings in our model line-up,” he added.

    While presenting the features of the vehicle to its dealers and the public, Marketing Manager, TNL, Bayo Olawoyin, said the automatic transmission developed for the 2NR-VE engine has realised excellent power performance and fuel efficiency.

    The 1.5Litre engine ensures excellent fuel economy and efficiency in the vehicle.

    The 3rd and 4th lock-up ranges have been expanded to achieve further reduction in fuel consumption.

    LTD (Long Travel Damper) adopted for the torque converter restrains the vibration of drive line, and expanded 3rd and 4th lock-up ranges help contribute to good fuel efficiency.The brake is equipped with the ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) and VSC (Vehicle Stability Control) functions.

    ABS

    In sudden braking, the maximum braking power is produced without locking tyres. This system helps prevent a lateral slip of the vehicle, secure steerability, and maintain tyre grip.

  • Toyota to start mass production in Turkey

    Japanese car maker Toyota will start mass production of its new Corolla hybrid in Turkey in January.

    “A hybrid car in this segment will be produced in Turkey for the first time,” Mustafa Varank, Turkish technology and industry minister, said during his visit to Toyota’s factory in the northwestern province of Sakarya.

    The country’s foreign trade gap will be reduced as hybrid and electric vehicles become widespread in the country, Varank said.

    “The new model which has 50 per cent less fuel consumption per vehicle would be exported to 100 countries from Turkey,” Varank said.

    The new Corolla – a trademark car of the brand – will be put up for sale in the first quarter of 2019 in Turkey, according to a statement from Toyota Turkey.

    “The new locally-made Corolla will be our brand’s pioneer in the automotive market with cut-throat competition,” Toyota Turkey’s Chief Executive Officer Ali Haydar Bozkurt said.

    The 2019 Corolla Saloon Hybrid will be the model’s 12th generation which made its debut in 1966.

    The company said Toyota Corolla is still the bestselling car worldwide with 46 million units sold since its debut.

    Corolla will be available with two types of engines, 1.8 liter self-charging hybrid and 1.6 liter petrol.

    Toyota Turkey launched its first hybrid vehicle, C-HR, a sport utility vehicle (SUV) in October 2016 in Turkey.

  • Toyota unveils 8th Generation Camry

    Toyota (Nigeria) Limited (TNL) has unveiled the eighth Generation Camry.

    The event held at the TNL headquarters in Lekki, Lagos.

    The latest model has undergone  transformation from a proven sedan to one that pushes the limits. It is a model that has enjoyed high level of goodwill.

    The Camry model was first introduced in 1982 and has evolved through generations to what was launched last week.

    By 2015, over 18 million units have been sold across regions.

    The models introduced into the Nigeria are 2.5L and 3.5L Petrol engines.

    TNL Managing Director Kunle Ade-Ojo, who was represented by General Manager, Corporate Services, Mr Bunmi Onafowokan, described the latest model as a masterpiece

    Ade-Ojo said the Camry has enjoyed a high level of goodwill and acceptance not only for the superior quality engineering behind it but also for its stunning beauty.

    He said: “It is no exaggeration that the rich history of this model already imbues it with outstanding attributes peculiar only to all its siblings in our model line-up.  From its upgraded, trendier exterior to its spacious interior design, the latest model of the CAMRY available in 2.5L and 3.5L engines will readily arouse in its lovers a driving pleasure unparalleled in its class. Indeed it is a remarkable package of safety, comfort and performance in equal proportion.”

    Despite the unfriendly economy, Ade-Ojo said this had not deterred TNL. He added: “In fact, it has positively impacted on our creativity in responding to the demands of our dear customers all over Nigeria and we will continue to explore ways of keeping them satisfied and also uphold our culture of excellence.”

    He thanked their dealers and  reporters for their “consistent support even in this challenging business climate to ensure that we maintain our leadership position and the success of the Toyota brand in the Nigerian market”.

    The firm’s Marketing Manager Mr Bayo Olawoyin, who presented the car before unveiling, said its interior projects a feeling of excellence and a driving experience that everyone appreciates.

    The car’s key selling points include high efficiency, and high power next generation, dynamic force engine,” powerful acceleration and new direct shift 8AT contributing to low fuel consumption, sequential shifter that allows shift operation like in manual transmission, improved noise reduction.

    It is equipped with light weight high rigidity body and new suspension, new double wishbone rear suspension system, low centre of gravity resulting from overall height, floor height, lowered hood, high rigidity body with a 30 per cent increased torsional rigidity, new four point engine mount to reduce engine vibration transmitted to the cabin, sound deadening and sound insulation material with increased areas and thickness.

    The car comes with a world top class safety performance, which include high strength cabin and collision support body to effectively absorb and disperse shock and all speed dynamic radar cruise control.

    It has a seven-inch colour multi-information, which displays the car’s average fuel economy, compass heading and audio presets.

    The Camry offers eight-inch Multi-Media touch screen and available six speakers, 800-Watt Entune 3.0 Premium Audio. The advanced airbag standard comes with an Advanced Airbag System with advanced dual-stage SRS driver and front passenger airbags, in addition to front and rear side curtain airbags. There are nine airbags in all and all focuses on rider’s safety.

    When the brake-hold switch is on and the transmission is engaged other than Park or Reverse, the brake is automatically applied. In fact, the electronic parking brake will automatically engage after three minutes if the car has not moved.

    The car’s interior has been redesigned to be roomier especially for the rear occupants to enhance the luxury feel of the vehicle. The seats have also been redesigned to increase comfort for all occupants.

  • Nissan, Toyota, FRSC, others back training for journalists

    The yearly Nigerian Auto Journalists Association’s (NAJA) capacity building programme will hold on Thursday at Golden Tulip Hotel & Events Centre, Ikeja, Lagos.

    The training aimed at improving reportorial skills of the motoring journalists’ was sponsored by Ford Motors Company South Africa (FMCSA) in 2016 and last year under its Driving Skill For Life (DSFL) programme.

    This year’s is being sponsored by South African Nissan Motors, Nigeria Automotive Design & Development Council (NADDC), Federal Roads Safety Corps (FRSC), Toyota (Nigeria) Limited (TNL), and Weststar Associates Nigeria Limited, owners of the Mercedes franchise.

    Others include Massillia Motors (Mitsubishi), PAN Nigeria Limited (Peugeot) and the Infinity Group.

    The major highlights of the event would be the presentation of papers by some experts.

    They are NADDC Director-General Aliyu Jelani, TNL Managing Director/Chief Executive Kunle Ade-Ojo and FRSC Corp Marshal Boboye Oyeyemi.

    Speaking on the rationale behind the support from Nissan, Stallion NMN in Nigeria Managing Director Parvir Singh, said the sponsorship is a strategic partnership for Nissan, where training and skills development form part of the organisational ethos.

    He said: “Skills development is one of Nissan’s core strengths and is fundamental to how we continuously improve our business. We do not only look at improving as an organisation but place great emphasis on training and capacity building for our stakeholders. It is with this very purpose in mind that we are supporting the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association.”

  • Toyota, Suzuki to develop green car tech

    Toyota Motor Corporation and Suzuki will discuss vehicle production and technology development for the Indian market

    The two Japanese car makers will begin talks over future collaborations in technological development, vehicle production and market development.

    The talks are set to provide a joint supply of vehicles for the Indian market. Suzuki was one of the first companies to enter the Indian car market and has been instrumental in pushing India’s automotive technology forward.

    The topics of discussion between the two companies will include Toyota providing technical support for Suzuki’s compact, ultra-high-efficiency powertrain and the supply of models developed by Suzuki but produced by Toyota Kirloskar Motor Private Ltd for Indian, African and other developing markets.

    Toyota President Akio Toyoda said: “As members of Indian society, Toyota, along with Suzuki, will do its best to enhance freedom and fun in a future mobility society and to make “Made in India” vehicles cherished in Africa and many countries around the world.”

    Talks have been on-going since February last year after both companies agreed on a memorandum of understanding towards business partnership. Talks have now gone public with hopes of closing a deal in the near future.

     

  • Toyota building testing facility for autonomous cars

    TOYOTA is building a new testing facility for autonomous cars in Michigan, United States to avoid driving the vehicles on public roads after a pedestrian was killed by a self-driving Uber in Arizona two months ago.

    The 60-acre site at Michigan Technical Resource Park (MITRP) in Ottawa Lake will be centred around a 1.75-mile oval track, a four-lane highway and a stretch of road designed to resemble a busy urban environment.

    The high-tech facility, which opens in October, will be used to test drive scenarios that are considered too dangerous for outside roads.

    Toyota has not tested any autonomous cars since March 18, when an Uber test car killed 44-year-old Rafaela Vasquez in Tempe, Arizona.

    Video footage showed the Volvo XC-90 SUV hitting mother-of-two Vasquez at 38mph as she was wheeling her bike across the road. The car did not appear to slow down before the collision, raising concerns about its safety features.

    Toyota hopes to use its Michigan facility to develop a new autonomous vehicle that is ‘incapable of causing a crash’, although safety campaigners may question if it is possible to perfect the technology outside of real-word environments.

    ‘This new site will give us the flexibility to customise driving scenarios that will push the limits of our technology and move us closer to conceiving a human-driven vehicle that is incapable of causing a crash,’ said Ryan Eustice, Senior Vice President of automated driving.

    The high-tech facility will be used to test drive scenarios that are considered too dangerous for public roads.

    MITRP owns the oval test track and has agreed to build more test labs and mock roads on behalf of the Japanese automotive giant.

    “We are very excited about the partnership with TRI. We believe that this relationship will be a proven winner,” MITRP President Mike Jones said.

    The MITRP site has been a vehicle testing ground since 1968.

     

     

  • Toyota showcases new RAV4 at Motor Show

    The all-new Toyota RAV4 has been unveiled at this year’s New York Motor Show – and it’s a more chiselled, head-turning affair than earlier crossovers, judging by these first official photos. It is the fifth generation of RAV4.

    Based on the group’s latest Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) like the new 2018 Auris hatchback, the latest RAV4 promises a step-change improvement in dynamics, fuel efficiency, safety and packaging, according to its makers.

    The hybrid is claimed to be unique in class, although that position is unlikely to remain for long, as car makers race to electrify their crossovers.

    All-wheel drive is available and the hybrid set-up uses an additional, second electric motor to power the rear axle. The 2.0 petrol model’s AWD set-up is entirely mechanical. Although not an off-roader, shorter overhangs and a modest hike in ride height are claimed to provide better soft-roading ability.

    Inside the cabin, Toyota claims a step change in quality. It should be roomier, too: the wheelbase is 30mm longer and the new RAV4 is 10mm wider at 1855mm. There’s the usual array of digital dials, tablet-style touchscreens and all the latest Japanese tech, including an EV button so you can save charge for whisper-quiet urban driving.

    The use of the TNGA platform should make the RAV4 much better to drive than its predecessor. Despite its tip-toe SUV proportions, the newcomer does in fact have a lower centre of gravity, to the benefit of handling and nimbleness, its maker claims.

    Although no official economy or CO2 figures are available yet, Toyota is claiming good advances in both to make this more fuel – and tax – efficient.

    Toyota has confirmed it is phasing out diesel in its passenger cars from 2018 and expanding its hybrid range offerings, instead. This applies across its car range, but excludes the Hilux, Proace and Land Cruiser utility vehicles.

    Hybrids accounted for about 78 per cent of C-HR crossover sales last year, for example, and the brand is bringing two hybrid offerings to the new Auris range – the already-in-service 1.8 Hybrid and the new two Hybrid.

  • Toyota rewards FirstBank, Access Bank, CCECC, others

    FirstBank of Nigeria Limited, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), Access Bank Plc and others have emerged winners of Toyota Nigeria Limited (TNL) Customers of the Year Awards.

    TNL rewarded them in Lagos for their high purchase and support of  Toyota models.

    FirstBank emerged the Evergreen Customer of the Year, in addition to winning the second runner-up prize for the Customer of the Year Award. The Evergreen Award is the ultimate prize for a customer that has consistently patronised the Toyota products over the years.

    The CCECC and Access Bank named the winner and first runner up in the Customer of the Year category were rewarded by the TNL.

    TNL Chairman Chief Michael Ade-Ojo said the company remained indebted to them for the success of the brand in the country.

    He said the Toyota brand remained number one automobile in Nigeria because of its quality, which the customers continued patronage had attested to.

    TNL, he said, owes it a duty to continue to satisfy them.

    Ade-Ojo, who hinted about his retirement at 80 in June, said: “I do not have any fear that our customers will suffer. You’re not going to suffer. Kunle (his son/TNL Managing Director) is there for you when daddy retires. It’s not that I’m saying bye for now. But I’m warning you that things are changing. I might not be able to continue to do this (functioning as the company’s chairman) for long.”

    Kunle Ade-Ojo said: “The loyalty of our customers through thick and thin is an eloquent testimony of their love for the Toyota brand and, of course, for us as a company. We cherish our relationship with our customers. This relationship has stood the test of time and has endured over the years. Our customers have demonstrated on several occasions that they are not only ardent lovers and patrons of the Toyota brand but passionate advocates as well. The least we could do therefore is to set aside a day like this to celebrate them and showcase our token of appreciation.”

  • Toyota recalls Camry, Prius

    Toyota Motor Corporation is recalling selected 2018 Camry sedans equipped with 2.5-litre, four-cylinder engines because of an unusual and potentially serious engine problem.

    The company is recalling 19 model 2018 Toyota Prius C vehicles sold in Puerto Rico.

    According to the Japanese automaker, 1,730 examples of its Camry may have engines that were produced with pistons that are too large. These out-of-spec parts could “cause the vehicle to run rough, create an abnormal sound, emit smoke from the exhaust and illuminate warning lights and messages.”

    These overlarge pistons could result in a loss of power, or cause the engine to stop running altogether.

    Toyota said that the problematic pistons are “from a particular production period,” late last December through last January.

    This helps explain why the number of models affected by the campaign is so small compared to the total production of such a high-volume model.

    Toyota sold 387,000 Camrys last year.

    Toyota gives the new generation Camry Hybrid a power bump and greater average fuel economy, at 45 mpg, but it’s most noteworthy improvement is how it looks.

    Toyota Safety Spokesperson Victor Vanov said: “The tolerance for something like this is so minute that the human eye could never detect (it).”

    Toyota will begin notifying customers whose cars may be affected with this issue via mail by late May, and dealers will inspect production date codes of the pistons on these engines. If the service techs discover a match with the faulty parts, the entire engine will be replaced at no cost to the customer.

    This is the second recall of the 2018 Camry. In February, Toyota issued a campaign notice covering nearly 12,000 V6 models for incorrectly connected fuel lines that could trigger a leak.

    In Puerto Rico, Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing said the Prius C front passenger airbag and recommended child occupant seating positions label may not have been attached during assembly.

    If the label is missing, occupants may not follow the proper restraint usage guidelines, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

    Toyota will notify owners and will mail the removable labels to all known owners of the vehicles, free of charge.

    The recall is expected to begin April 15.