Category: Toyota

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New vehicle sales report – October 2012

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It’s becoming boring to keep reporting that SUV sales are once again behind a strong monthly sales result. But VFACTS figures show SUV sales havr increased by 28.6% so far this year, and contributed 25,737 sales towards the October total of 95,584 new vehicle sales.

Year-to-date numbers show a total of 918,258 new vehicles have driven off showroom forecourts in 2012, a healthy increase of 9.7% compared to the same time last year. Interestingly, government sales are down 10.9% for the year, while private sales, up by 11.7%, have covered those losses.

Toyota continues its unassailable lead as the country’s top seller, registering 18,584 sales last month. They were followed by traditional bridesmaid Holden (10,239) and Ford (8,379).

The Toyota HiLux was the highest selling model in October, with 3,403 sales, followed by the Mazda3 (3,342) and the Toyota Corolla (2,977).

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Toyota

Would you like your Toyota 86 supercharged?

Toyota GT86 TRD

Word from the SEMA show in the United States says Toyota Racing Development (TRD) is working on an aftermarket supercharger kit for the Toyota 86. That’ll be sure to please current and prospective owners alike. And with reports of an 18 month waiting list down under we’re guessing there’s quite a lot of prospective owners.

For the fencesitters they’ll be pleased to learn the 86 and Subaru BRZ will soon have a genuine point of difference. Subaru is working on a turbocharged BRZ, and we’re sure having a choice of forced induction will provide Toybaru fans with plenty of forum fodder.

No word just yet on when the TRD supercharger kit will be available, or what type of kick it will give the 147kW 86. You’ll just be thankful it’s on the way!

[Source: AutoGuide]

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Toyota

Toyota 86 claims best driver’s car gong

Toyota 86

We expect the Toybaru will claim plenty of awards from the world’s motoring press. Indeed, we reckon you can already lock in an 86/BRZ shared award for Australia’s most prestigious gong, the Wheels Car of the Year. For now though, the Toyota 86 has just been judged as Britain’s Best Driver’s Car by the influential Autocar magazine:

Instead of being too fast for the roads on which it finds itself, its lowered limits mean that they can be approached at sensible speeds. Instead of tearing through consumables, it is the only car here for whose tyres we didn’t fear, even though it spent the most time sideways. The GT86 has altered the sports car genre. It is the performance car made relevant again; it is the new supercar. And, as such, it is arguably the worthiest winner Britain’s Best Driver’s Car has had.

[Source: Autocar]

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Infographic: James Bond’s car history

James Bond's Aston Martin DB5 as featured in Skyfall

As we near the global premiere of the latest James Bond flick, Skyfall, it’s quite timely that clever clogs Evans Halshaw has come up trumps with this infographic capturing the history of Bond’s garage in one easy to see location.

Thanks must go to Evans as well for encouraging the embedding of the graphic, which you can see in long form after the break. We also recommend checking out Halshaw’s website for the interactive version.

As you can see, it’s not all been expensive Aston Martins for 007.

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Safety Issues Toyota

Toyota 86 fails moose test!

Toyota 86 fails moose test

The reputation of the Toyota 86 has been smashed in one fell swoop with this graphic footage of the car miserably failing the infamous moose test.

Or not.

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AIMS 2012 gallery: Best of the rest

2012 Australian International Motor Show

To close out our 2012 Australian International Motor Show coverage we bring you the highlights and lowlights from the rest of the manufacturers on show.

Our top three highlights:

  • Ford Evos concept—stunning lines
  • Kia Track’ster—actually very, very cool
  • Subaru BRZ by Possum Bourne Motorsport—track cred for the BRZ

Our top three lowlights

  • Holden Malibu—return to sender
  • Ford Focus ST—they must be taking the piss with that central dash
  • Isuzu D Max advertising—someone signed that off

And a special mention to the Nissan Pulsar SSS. My first new car was an Australian built N14 SSS, it was awesome and is still better to look at than this comeback horror story. AUSmotive’s assistant on the day described it as the ugliest car he’d ever seen. I put forward the new Honda CR-V as an alternate suggestion, but he wouldn’t be swayed.

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New vehicle sales report – September 2012

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The monthly update from VFACTS brings word that 94,627 vehicles were sold in September, an increase of 9% (7,808 vehicles) on the same month in 2011.

Increases in the sales of hybrids helped to boost the result, so too the ongoing demand for SUVs. While government sales remain on the decline.

Toyota remains miles ahead of anyone else in overall sales, thanks to its 17,300 buyers. Mazda, though, has cracked the 10,000 monthly sales barrier for the first time (10,093) and found itself as the country’s second best selling marque last month. Holden (8,955) was demoted to third.

Year-to-date figures show 822,674 new sales have been recorded in 2012, 9.4% increase (70,546 vehicles) compared to the same period last year.

The high selling Mazda3 was Australia’s favourite purchase, with 4,276 September sales. The Toyota HiLux (3,479) was in second on the sales charts, ahead of the Hyundai I30 (3,144).

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New vehicle sales report – August 2012

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A total of 93,552 new vehicles were sold last month according to official VFACTS data. All states and territories, except Tasmania, registered more sales last month compared to August 2011.

Government sales are down compared to last year, but private and business sales are responsible for the strong August result. As always, SUV sales continue to put smiles on the faces of car dealers around the country. Those kidding themselves they need the freedom offered by SUVs have pushed up sales by 18.6% compared to August last year.

Year-to-date sales number 728,047, which is an increase of 9.4% on last year. Again, SUV sales are leading the way with 30% more sales than this time last year.

The Toyota HiLux continued to lead the sales charts last month, with 4,010 sales. Some distance back was the Mazda3 (2,990) and the Toyota Corolla (2,945).

Toyota continues its dominance overall as well, with 17,996 new buyers in August. Traditional rivals Holden (11,271) and Ford (7,795) claimed the minor placings. Hyundai and Mazda were snapping at the heels of the top three.

We look forward to seeing what impact new comers Infiniti and Opel can make on the sales charts in September.

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Toyota Video

Be careful what you wish for

Toyota Auris TVC

Toyota has just launched a brand new Auris hatchback, we’ll know it down under as the eleventh-generation Corolla. To help promote the new Auris, Toyota is running this ad in Japan (available below) that’s sure to generate some attention.

Put it this way, we’d not be running a Corolla story on AUSmotive if Toyota weren’t so willing to deceive.

Still, at least it’s a change from the equally questionable clutter of cats!

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Chris Harris, the Toyota GT86 and friends

Toyota GT86 v Nissan 370Z v Porsche Cayman S

Chris Harris is back this week to entertain us with the it car of the moment, the Toyota 86. He’s taken a bit of an armchair critic’s position, in that he’s attempting to answer some of the questions asked by motoring forums the world over.

Questions like, is the Toyota too under powered, or why don’t you spend a bit more and get a 370Z, or even a used Cayman S?

It’s worth noting that, for once, we Australians are not the butt of a pricing joke. In relative terms, it’s an extra AU$5–7K to pick up a new 86 in the UK. Although, that’s offset by the fact you can buy a decent used Cayman S for under AU$25K.

To be expected, Harris is in his element here and we think he sums up the Toybaru quite well when he states: “we need to get back to a stage where we’re enjoying performance because of its nature, not because of its quantity.”

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Hyundai Mazda Nissan Toyota VFACTS reports

New vehicle sales report – July 2012

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After the euphoria of an end of financial year inspired all-time monthly record in June, Australia’s new vehicle sales came back to reality in July, with 86,641 vehicles walking out the door.

The official VFACTS figures show there’s still a strong demand for SUVs. Although at least buyers are downsizing their SUVs and even keen to take up diesel-powered models.

Year-to-date a total of 634,495 new vehicles have been sold in 2012, an increase of almost 10% compared to the same period in 2011.

Toyota (17,780 sales) maintains its stranglehold at the top of the monthly sales charts, ahead of Holden (8,936) and Mazda (7,951). The top three selling models last month were the Toyota HiLux (4,163), the Mazda 3 (3,355) and the Toyota Corolla (2,985).

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Aston Martin Toyota

Aston Martin considering Toyota power

Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster

The word is Aston Martin is considering downsizing its engine range. That means their sweet sounding V12s could make way for V10 engines, or even V8s.

We’ve already seen the wonderful V8 Vantage, so this is not necessarily bad news for Aston. What is surprising, though, is the suggestion the British icon may look to Toyota as a source of engines.

A relationship between the companies exists thanks to that damn Cynical city thing. But more importantly the two CEOs, Dr Ulrich Bez (Aston Martin) and Akio Toyoda (Toyota), get on like a house on fire thanks to their love of racing. The duo even drove each others car at a Nürburgring VLN race last year.

Dr Bez commented afterwards, “We meet regularly as race drivers here at the Nürburgring since the 24 Hour Race 2008. A personal friendship has developed since then which we wish to emphasise with this change of cars. Other bosses of enterprises meet on a golf course, we in contrast share the passion for car races.”

So, an Aston Martin with a Lexus V8, or even the V10 from the LFA? That wouldn’t be such a bad thing.

[Source: Motor Authority]