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SUPERCHARGED!
That’s the way they described the new
lineup of vehicles Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. (TMPC)
launched on Monday at the A. Venue on Makati Avenue.
The blockbuster trio of the country’s
leading automotive company—the Hilux pickup truck,
Fortuner compact SUV and Innova multipurpose vehicle—are
part of the globally successful International Innovative
Multipurpose Vehicles (IMVs) that are dominating the
commercial vehicle segment of the industry.
“Today marks another milestone as we
formally launch the new Hilux, Fortuner and the Innova.
We have reinforced the products to address the
ever-changing needs of our customers. As we celebrate
our 20th anniversary this year, the introduction of the
new Hilux, Fortuner and Innova marks a new beginning for
Toyota. A fresh start in helping our customers move
forward and get more out of life,” TMPC president
Hiroshi Ito declared in his opening remarks.
The Boss and the beauties.
Toyota
Motor Philippines president Hiroshi Ito in the company
of lovelies and the new Toyota Innova.
--NONIE REYES
Ito said the IMVs are one of Toyota’s
most ambitious projects by far as they were developed
“in consideration of the different needs of people from
different countries, and driving these in the various
roads of the world.”
“As it is tailor-fit for Filipinos, it
is also fit for most anyone else in the globe. The
introduction of the IMV lineup more than three years ago
effectively helped transform the automotive scene. Aside
from being catalysts of sales growth in their respective
segments, the Hilux, the Fortuner and the Innova
injected new life in how we perceive these commercial
vehicles. We would not say that Toyota started a
revolution, but rather, the IMV helped change our
customers’ lifestyles,” Ito added.
Three years were just too short a time
to change the landscape of the local automotive market.
Ito said, “SUVs are no longer exclusively for the rich
and powerful set as they have expanded to a broader
market.”
Ito added, “The previously so-called
‘SUV wannabes’ are now proud owners of their own
reasonably priced luxurious and power-packed sports
utility vehicles. The Asian utility vehicles are now
commonly known as multipurpose vehicles, or MPVs. The
IMV has changed the previous mindset that style and
car-like conveniences need to be compromised in favor of
durability and cargo-loading capacity. The IMV shows the
way in combining the best of both in one practical
package.”
Present during the launch were top
honchos of TMPC and even the chief engineer of IMVs,
Kaoru Hosokawa, who was here in the country when they
were first introduced in 2005. “I met some of you during
the first introduction of the IMV three years ago. And
it is my pleasure to be with you once again for the
relaunch of the new and improved version of the Innova,
Fortuner and Hilux.”
Hosokawa disclosed, “Toyota vehicles
have been loved and firmly trusted by customers all over
the world. But the spirit of moving forward further
challenged us to build vehicles that will provide
driving and riding satisfaction to any customer in any
part of the world. In other words, our task was to build
‘vehicles that set global standards.’ Based on our
experiences with our customers throughout the years, and
our knowledge of the roads of the world, we developed
the IMV series,”
This year alone, the combined total
sales of IMVs reached a staggering 480,000 worldwide;
218,000 of them were sold in Asia. Here in the
Philippines, a combined total of 73,000 were already hit
as it continued to dominate the local market.
Hosokawa also revealed that the
Philippines plays an important role for the worldwide
production of the IMVs. “TMPC locally manufactures the
Innova as one of its biggest volume models. Toyota
Autoparts Philippines also produces and exports IMV
parts to various countries all over the world. Both
efforts enhance TMPC’s commitment as the nation’s
economic partner.”
He also stressed the four common
characteristics of the IMVs that made them successful
not only here in the country but also all over the
world: global package and worldwide availability; solid
frame and suspension; technologically advanced VVT-I and
D-4D engines; and advanced styling with car-like
comfort.
The Innova is being offered in four
grades and 12 variants and is available in black, white
and metallic shades of medium silver, light beige mica,
light green, red mica and silver.
The new Fortuner is available in
3.0-liter V diesel 4x4, 2.5-liter G diesel 4x2 and
2.7-liter G gas with A/T drivetrains. Available shades
are extreme black, greyish brown metallic, super white,
lithium and dark gray mica metallic.
The new Hilux, with a lineup of five
variants, is available in black, grayish brown metallic,
dark green mica metallic, white, lithium and dark grey
mica metallic. |
