Toyota Motor Corporation has introduced a brand-new Century model and is now open for orders starting today. This latest addition to their lineup is set to hit the market in 2023, alongside the continued availability of the Century sedan.
The Century made its debut in 1967 as Toyota’s premier chauffeur-driven car. For over five decades, the Century has been the preferred choice for chauffeur-driven transportation in Japan. It epitomizes an unparalleled spirit of “omotenashi” or hospitality, ensuring that its esteemed passengers enjoy a comfortable journey to their destinations.
Adhering to “The Chauffeur” concept, the new model has transformed into a chauffeur car that remains dedicated to fulfilling customer expectations in the years ahead. It diligently carries forward the essence, dignity, serenity, and ride comfort that befit the legacy of the Century.
The new Century retains classic chauffeur-driven car proportions, with a rearward center of gravity. Its design is inspired by the loom shuttle motif and incorporates kichomen chamfering to define the door panels, creating a unique Century aesthetic.
Toyota has taken another significant step towards its goal of achieving zero carbon emissions by unveiling a prototype hydrogen fuel cell-powered Hilux. This introduction showcases Toyota’s comprehensive approach to carbon-free mobility, exemplified by its diverse range of powertrain solutions, including hybrid electric, plug-in hybrid electric, battery electric, and fuel cell electric vehicles.
The prototype was revealed at Toyota Manufacturing UK’s Burnaston car plant in Derby, where it was developed through a collaborative effort with consortium partners, with support from UK Government funding. The Hilux, known globally as an emblematic truck within the Toyota brand, is renowned for its reliability and durability. This development project has explored ways to maintain these qualities while introducing a new electrified powertrain, underscoring Toyota’s commitment to innovation and sustainability.
Toyota Motor is preparing to resume operations at its assembly plants in Japan on Wednesday. This comes after a malfunction in its production system caused a complete halt in domestic output for the world’s largest automaker.
Toyota intends to gradually recommence operations at 25 production lines situated within a dozen plants in its home market. The process will continue as the final two plants are slated to become operational again later in the afternoon of the same day.
UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd (UMWT), the authorised distributor of Toyota vehicles in Malaysia, has officially introduced the all-new Toyota Corolla GR Sport and improved Toyota Corolla 1.8G and 1.8E into the Malaysian market.
Corolla GR Sport
In October 2019, the latest iteration of the Corolla was launched in Malaysia, presenting two variants: the Corolla 1.8G and Corolla 1.8E. Since then, the model has achieved remarkable global sales, surpassing 50 million units. Its enduring popularity within its segment is particularly evident among international manufacturers. The cars are brought into Malaysia as completely built-up units (CBUs) from Toyota’s regional manufacturing centre in Thailand.
The Corolla GR Sport, also known as the GR-S, becomes the third option in the GR Sport lineup. The current GR Sport models consist of the Vios GR Sport launched in December 2020, as well as the Corolla Cross GR Sport and Hilux GR Sport, both introduced in February 2023.
Improved Corolla 1.8G and 1.8E
The most recent updates to the Corolla encompass both aesthetic enhancements and the introduction or refinement of features.
The refreshed Corolla’s frontal aspect showcases a novel glossy black lower grille that contributes to an elevated sense of sophistication. This grille features polygonal dots that imbue the vehicle with an “active” expression, causing the visual texture and appearance to transform depending on the vantage point and lighting conditions.
Corolla IMP
Across various lighting functions such as headlamps, turn signals, daytime running lights (DRL), rear combination lamps, as well as front and rear fog lamps, the Corolla employs enduring and energy-efficient LEDs.
The Corolla 1.8G and 1.8E variants offer a selection of five body colours: Calestite Gray Metallic, Red Mica Metallic, Platinum White Pearl MC, Attitude Black, and an entirely new exterior colour called Metal Stream ME.
In pursuit of enhanced environmental friendliness, Toyota has adopted the use of Toyota Super Olefin Polymer (TSOP) in various components such as the grille, hook cover, foglamp molding, and bumper. TSOP represents a recyclable thermoplastic resin characterized by its premium surface quality and robust rigidity.
Both versions of the vehicle showcase fresh designs for their lightweight alloy wheels. The Corolla 1.8G model is fitted with 17-inch wheels featuring a multi-axis spoke arrangement that effectively communicates a sense of quality and sporty appeal. On the other hand, the Corolla 1.8E variant’s 16-inch wheels boast a simple yet dynamic twin-spoke style, complemented by a monochrome finish.
The standard tire sizes are 225/45R17 for the Corolla 1.8G and 205/55R16 for the Corolla 1.8E. Additionally, the spare wheels provided are crafted from alloy rims and come equipped with tires of comparable size and type.
With monthly sales of 8,349 units (Toyota + Lexus) — 8,200 units for Toyota and 149 units for Lexus—UMW Toyota Motor concluded July 2023 on a high note. As a result, the total year-to-date sales as of July 2023 were 57,008 units as opposed to 52,548 units for the same period the previous year, an increase of 8.5%. The monthly sales figures for July 2023 were likewise up 25.8% from July 2022.
Although it won’t be available until 2027, Toyota is considering extending its model lineup with a Corolla-based unibody truck. In the American market, the model will compete with the Ford Maverick and the more specialised Hyundai Santa Cruz in the compact truck market.
No company has yet dared venture into the compact truck segment in Malaysia, but with models becoming more popular elsewhere, and with pick-up trucks getting more expensive in Malaysia, there is just a glimmer of possibility.
The new Land Cruiser “250” Series has officially been presented to the world by Toyota Motor Corporation.
2024 Toyota Land Cruiser 1958
The Land Cruiser series, which debuted as the Toyota BJ on August 1, 1951, is now 72 years old. It was the first vehicle to reach Mount Fuji’s sixth station immediately after launch. Since then, it has succeeded in bringing protection and security to a variety of individuals in locations that can only be accessible by a Land Cruiser.
Toyota may be working on a brand-new three-row electric SUV under the Lexus name. According to the Lexus RX Owners forum, the Japanese automaker submitted four new trademark applications to the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPA) for various Lexus TZ models on July 19, 2023.
Lexus RX 350
The TZ450e and TZ550e are two of the four names the company wants to trademark. The letter “Z” indicates BEVs. As an electric alternative to the RX, Lexus offers the RZ 450e while Toyota offers the bZ4X. The firm recently unveiled the 2024 Lexus TX, a three-row petrol SUV that sits between the RX and the GX and shares its GA-K chassis with the Toyota Grand Highlander. The new TZ is the TX’s all-electric alternative.
Toyota claims to have developed a technological advancement that will enable it to cut the weight, size, and price of batteries in half, which could signal a significant development for electric vehicles.
The second-largest automaker in the world was already working towards a goal of introducing upgraded solid-state batteries in cars by 2025, which have advantages over liquid-based batteries.
The Japanese business announced on Tuesday that it has made the process of producing the material needed to produce them simpler. The company hailed the discovery as a significant advancement that may significantly shorten charging periods and extend driving range.
If Toyota’s assertions were true, according to University of Birmingham business economics professor David Bailey, it might signify a turning point for the development of electric vehicles.
Toyota’s president claims that the company could now produce a solid-state battery with a range of 1,200km and a charge time of no more than 10 minutes since it had figured out how to make batteries more resilient.
The Financial Times, which broke the news of Toyota’s purported breakthrough, reports that the corporation anticipates being able to build solid-state batteries for use in electric vehicles as early as 2027.
As they promise to shorten charging periods, boost capacity, and lessen the fire risk associated with lithium-ion batteries, which employ a liquid electrolyte, solid-state batteries have been widely regarded as having the potential to revolutionise the field of electric vehicles.
However, the production of solid-state batteries has always been more expensive and difficult, which has limited their practical adoption.
But, Toyota now claims that it might potentially streamline the production process, making solid-state batteries potentially more accessible to manufacture than lithium-ion ones.
When compared to competitors in the market for electric vehicles, the Japanese automaker has been viewed as a bit of a laggard. It recalled 2,700 of its first electric vehicles (the bZ4X) in June of last year over worries that the wheels would come off.
Despite this, Toyota believes that, after 2028, it will be possible to produce an advanced solid-state battery with a range of more than 1,448 km in part due to lighter, simpler, and vehicles with fewer parts.
UMW Toyota Motor maintained its market dominance in June, earning remarkable sales figures of 8,559 units for Toyota and 110 units for Lexus. Toyota and Lexus combined total sales for June 2023 reached 8,669 units, exceeding the 8,004 units reported in May 2023.
Year-to-date sales for June 2023 have shown excellent growth, with a total of 48,659 units sold. This result indicates a strong 6.0% increase over the 45,911 units sold year to date in June 2022.
Another major highlight for the month of June was the unveiling of the highly anticipated all-new Toyota Innova Zenix, featuring both Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) and Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) models. This introduction was a big step forward in the company’s persistent commitment to carbon-neutrality and sustainability.
