Τελικά το teaser video που είχε δώσει η Toyota πριν από μερικές μέρες ήταν για το νέο χρώμα που έβαψε το Toyota FT-86 II Concept. Το πρωτότυπο είναι βαμμένο σε ένα καροτί-κεραμιδί χρώμα και δεν έχει καμία σχεδιαστική διαφορά από το πρωτότυπο της Γενεύης, που το είχαμε δει σε μαύρο χρώμα.
Σύμφωνα με τον αρχιμηχανικό της Toyota, Tetsuya Tada, το αυτοκίνητο θα είναι το απόλυτο αυτοκίνητο για τους οδηγούς, με την έκδοση παραγωγής του αυτοκινήτου θα παρουσιαστεί στην έκθεση του Τόκιο στο τέλος του έτους με τις πωλήσεις του αυτοκίνητου να ξεκινούν μέσα στο 2012.
[Πηγή: Toyota | Live Photos: Jalopnik]
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Toyota Press Conference speech – Frankfurt Motor Show 2011
Didier Leroy, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe
Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to Toyota.
What a year it’s been for our Company! Having faced the earthquake and tsunami in Japan earlier this year, our business was heavily impacted overnight and we didn’t know how and when we would be back. But we are back. We have recovered a lot quicker than we had ever anticipated our teams, our suppliers, have worked with passion and dedication to put the company back on its feet.
In Europe, our factories are running at full-speed, and our sales are growing. Despite the supply disruptions, by the end of this calendar year we still expect a sales increase of at least 20,000 vehicles; and our sales of hybrid vehicles will grow by at least 20% compared to last year.
We are very thankful for our customers’ trust and for the outstanding efforts of our network. I set out a recovery plan last year and we are currently one year ahead of that plan. We have been re-organising our operations in Europe and I’m pleased to announce that we are now growing profitably.
We are mobilising our sales network to offer our customers the greatest line-up we have ever had in Europe. The products we have in Frankfurt today are part of the 25 new or updated Toyota and Lexus models we plan to launch in the next 24 months, and they will be the basis to continue our growth in Europe.
Toyota’s focus on product is very clear, and it is based on two pillars: Quality and Innovation.
Our Mission in Europe is equally clear, as announced in our Global Vision. The European Product and Engineering teams will be defining the next models in the key segments where Europe is the place to fight the A, B and C segments. Our renewed core models are perhaps the most evident expression of our focus on Quality, with special emphasis on the manufacturing processes and QDR.
So, let’s start with the all new Yaris, which you can see on my right. With a dynamic design and its famous “big space in a compact car” concept, the exceptional success story of Yaris is set to continue. Produced in our Valenciennes plant in the north of France, the new Yaris is set to further improve its leading manufacturing and built-in quality standards!
We are pleased with the early feedback from our launch where the new Yaris is seen as a big step up from the current generation.
Initial customers’ feedback is also extremely good and to match the anticipated demand. I’m pleased to announce the addition of an extra shift in January in our factory in France, creating 800 new jobs.
At the other end of the stand, you’ll see another vital contributor to our ambitions a product I’m extremely proud to present to you today The new Avensis. Designed and built here in Europe it is also the first model in our line up for which our local engineering teams have taken a clear lead throughout the development process.
The car is now characterised by a more elegant, athletic appearance and CO2 has been reduced by 15% to 119g.
That positions Avensis right at the heart of the segment for both fleet and private customers. The new Avensis features a more rigid body, new steering and a revised suspension improving both ride and handling simultaneously.
Comfort is also enhanced by significant improvements in NVH, all contributing to a more premium experience. And there is another product here which also demonstrates very clearly the notion of Quality:
The 2012 Hilux, which can be seen on the other side of our stand, has gained more power with lower emissions, and a new design. Today more than ever Hilux remains one of the best illustrations of our legendary quality, durability, and reliability. Survey after survey, customers have confirmed their preference for Toyota and Lexus products when it comes to Quality.
We’ve recently received quality awards, in Germany and the UK for instance, and many other countries around the world.
Innovation is also a strong part of the Toyota DNA, and takes me straight to our uncontested environmental leader the Prius. We’ve sold more than 2.3 million Prius worldwide since 1997 but the pace has accelerated dramatically since the introduction of the 3rd generation just over two years ago.
In that short period, we’ve sold more than one million Prius. There is no doubt, Hybrid is now mainstream and today we’re revealing the new Prius with a revised design and a more refined interior. And the Prius range is growing. With the addition of the Prius Plug-in Hybrid production model and the 7-seater Prius+ the Prius family will become the world’s first full hybrid model range.
Let me start with Prius +. This product is set to significantly enlarge the Prius footprint in the market by meeting the needs of progressive families with active lifestyles while providing the same attributes traditionally found in the Prius DNA.
Prius + combines the outstanding versatility of seven seats with the excellent running costs and unique driving pleasure of a petrol full hybrid powertrain. With CO2 emissions of only 99 g per km, Prius + will deliver the best in class environmental performance for a 7-seater.
Thanks in part to the adoption of a cleverly packaged lithium-ion battery. Let’s move to the other new member of the Prius family. I’m delighted to present the production version of the Prius Plug-In Hybrid. Featuring the world’s most advanced petrol full hybrid powertrain. Its CO2 will be only 49 grams per km and its fuel consumption will be only 2.1 liters per hundred km. It will emit zero particulate matter and almost no NOX, just like all of the other hybrids in our range.
We’ve done extensive testing with real customers in real-life conditions and we know our technology fits tomorrow’s world, today! When others put the emphasis on autonomy in pure EV mode our Prius Plug-In Hybrid allows drivers to make their short trips using EV and 23 km covers the vast majority of customers’ daily commutes with no range anxiety.
For longer trips, they will benefit from the extremely efficient and proven Hybrid Synergy Drive system found in the regular Prius. Which is much more efficient than the back-up powertrains of competitor vehicles. It will be priced from below €37,000 here in Germany ensuring that once again the leading technology is available to the widest possible audience.
Like the Prius + , Prius Plug-In Hybrid will also go on sale in the first half of 2012.
Customers also appreciate our innovation. Prius and its derivatives are at the heart of our fast-growing hybrid line-up, confirming our reputation as the environmental leader.
A few weeks ago, here in Germany, this leadership was recognised by the VCD, the national Traffic Club. In their survey about the most environmentally friendly vehicles, the Top 4 spots were taken by Toyota and Lexus products.
Recognition such as this has contributed towards Toyota becoming, once again, the world’s most valuable automotive brand and the number one green brand. The direction we took more than 14 years ago when we introduced Prius was a bold one at the time. Today, more than 3.3 million customers are driving Toyota and Lexus hybrids worldwide, and they are amongst our most satisfied drivers!
We are determined to pursue this direction and to illustrate our commitment. I can confirm that next year we will be selling no less than nine different Full Hybrid Toyota and Lexus models in Europe!
We have the quality and the innovation in our products and even more importantly, we have the passion and capability in our team to strongly compete in the European Market! Let me reassure you that Toyota is back, and better equipped than ever for the challenges ahead and I know customers will make the difference, and ensure that we move forward.
Thank you for your attention.
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