2005 Toyota Tacoma Truck Size Expands over Previous Models

Toyota Motors has announced that it has expanded the size of the 2005 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck. Spokesmen explained the truck is now 5 inches wider, 6 inches longer, has a longer wheelbase, a wider track and extended door openings on the Tacoma access and double cab models. Designed exclusively for the U.S. market, Toyota forecasts 70% of Tacoma buyers to opt for the new 4.0-liter V6 engine, which produces 55 horsepower more than the previous 3.4-liter V6 engine.

The new engine rates at 245 horsepower and 282 pound-feet of torque, raising the pick up truck's tow rating to 6,500 pounds from the previous 5,000 pounds. The V6 also comes as either a 6 speed manual or a 5 speed automatic transmission. The base engine is a new 164-horsepower 2.7-liter inline four-cylinder engine, with the option of either a 5 speed manual or a 4 speed automatic.

The 2005 Toyota Tacoma also comes in three different body styles - regular cab, access cab and double cab, two bed lengths - 60.3 inches and 73.5 inches, two special editions - Toyota PreRunner and the Toyota X-Runner truck, and 2W drive or 4W drive. The 2005 Tacoma offers a new look on both the interior and exterior. Similar to the Toyota 4Runner, it has flared fenders and chunky lines. It also has a composite bed liner, which is both lighter and more dent-resistant than steel. The bed comes with four adjustable tie-down cleats and an integrated deck rail that's compatible with optional crossbars, a truck bed fork mount bike rack and diamond-plate cargo storage boxes.

2005 Toyota Avalon and Crossover Concept Car to Debut at Detroit's 2005 North American International Auto Show

Toyota announced recently it will debut its all-new third generation Toyota Avalon sedan and crossover concept vehicle at the 2005 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Toyota added that it will stage the world premier of the 2005 Toyota Avalon full-size sedan at a press conference during the Auto Show.

Besides the Toyota Avalon, the company revealed it will also be unveiling an all-new crossover concept. A completely restyled and reengineered Toyota Avalon that it says "will feature significantly improved performance and a more luxurious interior as well as a new level of comfort and refinement when it goes on sale next year."

The press conference is scheduled to be held on Monday, January 10 at 1:30 PM in the Riverview Ballroom in COBO Center and will be simulcast live via the Toyota.com website.

Toyota Could be First Automaker to Sell Over 2 Million Cars & Trucks in 2004

Auto Industry Analysts have recently announced that Toyota Motor Corp. is positioned to become the first foreign automaker to sell more than 2 million cars and trucks in a single year in the United States. Toyota has had a successful 2004 in motivating American car buyers to buy new Toyota models instead of Ford and General Motors cars and trucks.

Analysts reported that Toyota sold an average of 170,000 Toyota, Lexus and Scion brand cars and trucks every month through November 2004 and only needs 127,885 sales in December to top 2 million. The first foreign car maker to do so and would join Ford, General Motors and DaimlerChrysler AG's Chrysler at the 2-million mark.

Asian carmakers, led by Toyota, are once again expected to record another substantial gain in U.S. market share in December, according to auto industry analysts. Full-year sales are also likely to top 2003's 16.7 million, analysts added. Automakers will report American sales on Jan. 4 2005. "It's impossible to make the argument that Toyota is in any way poised to decline," an industry consultant said. "With any other automaker, you could see a possibility of a decline, but Toyota is certainly in line to be No. 1 in the world."

New models such as a four-door version of the Toyota Tundra pickup truck, a newly redesigned Toyota Sienna minivan and Toyota Scion cars, which are targeted at younger buyers, are a significant part of the plan of Toyota President Fujio Cho to boost overall global sales to 9 million units within eight years at the world's second-largest automaker. General Motors, the current No. 1 automaker, is forecasted to sell 8.5 million cars and trucks in 2004.

Toyota Reports Record Vehicle Sales for November

Toyota Motor Sales, which includes Toyota and Lexus Divisions, reported their best-ever November sales of 154,272 units, an increase of 8.8 percent over the same period in 2003. 2004 sales to date have totaled 1,872,116, an increase of 9.3 percent compared to the same period last year, the report stated.

"Despite November's slide in consumer confidence, showroom traffic remained brisk," said Jim Press, Toyota Motor Sales executive vice president and COO. "As we enter the year's final stretch, this bodes well for a strong finish."

The Toyota Division reported best-ever November sales of 131,414, an increase of 9.8%. The Lexus Division also recorded best-ever November sales of 22,858 units, up 3.1 percent over the 2003 November period.

Toyota Tundra 'Rides' Amtrak Rails in Ad Campaign

TOYOTA PRESS RELEASE
As part of the marketing campaign for the Toyota Tundra Double-Cab full-sized pick up truck, pictures of the pickup truck have been painted on the sides of two Amtrak trains, one running the "Texas Eagle" route from Chicago to San Antonio, and the other running the "Silver Service" route from Washington, D.C. to Miami.

"The marketing theme for the Toyota Tundra Double-Cab is 'A truck as big as your life: Life-sized,' so we were looking for an opportunity to spread that message in a big way," stated Deborah Wahl Meyer, Toyota corporate marketing communications manager. "Nothing says big, powerful and unstoppable like a speeding locomotive, so we think this is a great fit."

The concept for painting the picture on the side of the train came from Toyota's ad agency, Saatchi & Saatchi. Originally, the plan was to "wrap" the train with the image, similar to what is used on buildings and buses, but wear and tear concerns eliminated that option. So, Amtrak and Corporate Image Media, Inc., recommended a paint solution that Amtrak uses for the stripes on the trains.

"Getting unique messages out to consumers is always a challenge, but with this Toyota Tundra/train tie in, we are able to cut through the clutter and send a clear message about Tundra's capabilities to the people riding the trains, as well as to all of those who see the trains en route," said Meyer.

Toyota worked closely with Amtrak to choose routes that had high exposure and travel through key markets for the automaker. Toyota is currently building a Tundra plant in San Antonio, Texas, so the "Texas Eagle" route was a natural choice. The segment of the "Silver Service" route chosen gives the pick-up truck excellent exposure on the east coast and through several southern states.

Toyota's Landspeed Prius Will Be On Display at 2005 Detroit Auto Show

On display at the 2005 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Toyota's Landspeed Prius gas-electric hybrid vehicle made its debut at Bonneville National Speed Week in Bonneville, Utah as the first production hybrid to race across the Bonneville Salt Flats.

The advanced technology of the Toyota Prius Hybrid mid-size sedan was taken to another level as the editor of Car and Driver Magazine, Aaron Robinson, drove the modified hybrid Prius on the three-mile short course, and set a hybrid record speed of 130.794 miles per hour. Other Landspeed Prius drivers included Prius executive chief engineer Shigeyuki Hori, and Fumiaki Kobayashi, group vice president technical and regulatory affairs, Toyota Motor North America, Inc.

The historical run of the Landspeed Prius has also created a hybrid class to run at Bonneville in the future. An engineering group from Toyota and Toyota Motorsports worked on the Prius for over two months to ready the car for record-setting speed and extreme conditions.

The Landspeed Toyota Prius was outfitted with a stock "Hybrid Synergy Drive" powertrain, which integrates a large electric motor with a 1.5-liter gasoline engine. The transmission final drive gear ratio for the gas engine was modified from the stock 4.23:1 to 3.2, and the inverter voltage was upped to 550 volts from the normal 500 volts. The engine redline was also changed to achieve optimum performance. A transmission cooling system was added to the front passenger area to decrease the temperature of the inverter and electric motors and maximize efficiency. Regular ice was constantly added to the system to prevent overheating. Ambient temperature on the salt flats was nearly 100 degrees with nearly 100 degrees humidity.

Other modifications to the hybrid vehicle included the removal of the interior, the addition of a roll cage and lowering the suspension five inches for improved aerodynamics. The Landspeed Prius also has custom Eibach springs and Bilstein shocks. The inner fender wells were also altered to accommodate the lowered ride height. The Landspeed Prius is equipped with unique 26–inch front and 25-inch rear Goodyear Eagle Landspeed Record tires.

Toyota Tacoma Earns 2005 Motor Trend Truck of the Year Award

MOTOR TREND magazine, recently announced the selection of the Toyota Tacoma as the 2005 MOTOR TREND Truck of the Year. Each year, MOTOR TREND evaluates all new eligible pickup trucks and awards the truck that most clearly raises the bar in the category, specifically in terms of superiority, significance value. The Toyota Tacoma pickup truck beat out its competition that included the Dodge Dakota, Ford F-250/F-350 Super Duty, Nissan Frontier and Hummer H2 SUT.

"The new Tacoma is a good example of Toyota listening to its customers and delivering the best materials, fit and finish for its price class," stated Angus MacKenzie, editor in chief of MOTOR TREND. "Buyers get Toyota's legendary durability and quality in a beautifully built little truck. Proving there is no penalty for buying a reasonably priced, more fuel-efficient truck, especially significant in this time of rising fuel prices, the 2005 Toyota Tacoma is truly deserving of the title of MOTOR TREND Truck of the Year."

Factors contributing to Toyota's first place award include the 2005 Tacoma's interior and exterior designed as more engaging, while preserving affordability. The new base 2.7-liter VVT-i four-cylinder engine produces 164 horsepower and 183 pound-feet of torque, while the optional 4.0-liter V6 engine outputs 245 horsepower and 282 pound-feet of torque. Buyers also have a choice of three cabin configurations, two bed lengths and two or four wheel drive to configure a Tacoma to suit their individual needs.

"Toyota came out swinging from the get-go with a huge a roster of truck variants," continued MacKenzie. "With 18 different configurations, the Tacoma is the broadband of the segment and full of surprise and delight features."

Toyota Offers Car Loan Financing in China

Totota Motor Corp. announced China has given the company approval to begin offering auto financing services in China. Toyota is hoping the move could eventually lead to further growth. China is the world's fourth-biggest car market.

Toyota is expecting to begin operations in 2005 after completing the paperwork to formally establish the local finance firm, Toyota Motor Finance China Co. The China Banking Regulatory Commission already allows Volkswagen AG and General Motors Corp. to offer car loans. Ford also has initial approval, and DaimlerChrysler AG received approval recently.

"About one-fifth of Chinese car buyers use some form of credit, while the majority still pay cash.", a Toyota spokeswoman said. Rules to allow non-bank institutions to set up car financing were issued in October 2003 by Beijing, a move required by the World Trade Organisation even though it is more than a year late. Chinese banks provided services since 1998, but have since scaled back after a surge in the number of car loans turning bad.

Special Edition Toyota Corolla Colour Unveiled

Toyota announced the introduction of the new Toyota Corolla Colour Collection for 2005 models. A move Toyota hopes will add style and value to the special edition Corolla models. Additionally the new Corolla Colour Collection includes a vehicle choice of gasoline or diesel engines.

Based on the Toyota Corolla T3 grade, the vehicles have a silver steel metallic paint finish. Sedans, two door models and coupes are available with a choice of 1.4 and 1.6 VVT-i gasoline or 2.0 D-4D diesel engines, depending on the body style chosen.

According to Toyota other 2005 features of the Colour Collection special edition include airbags all the way around, ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), air conditioning, a four-speaker sound system with CD player, electric windows and door mirrors, 15-inch alloy wheels and front fog lamps . The Toyota Corolla Colour hatchback version also has a leather-trimmed steering wheel and gearshift, carbon fibre-style trim details, ancillary audio controls mounted on the steering wheel, side skirts and a rear air dam.

A Colour Collection exterior emblem designates the vehicles’ special status, Toyota added.