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TORONTO, ONTARIO, July 4, 2018 – Canadians are continuing to turn to electrified vehicles, according to Toyota Canada Inc. (TCI). The company continued to experience record hybrid vehicle sales in June, with 2,496 units sold last month, up 5.5% compared to 2017.
Strong sales of Prius (up 28.3%), including Prius Prime Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (413 units), contributed to a best June ever for TCI electrified vehicle sales.
Overall, TCI sold a total of 23,289 vehicles, down 0.6% compared to 2017, with the Toyota division reporting a total of 20,833 units, down 1.1% compared to last year.


THE REVIVAL OF THE FITTEST: TOYOTA SUPRA GETS BACK TO AMERICAN RACING IN NASCAR XFINITY SERIES

Jul 6, 2018

TORONTO, ONTARIO, July 6, 2018 – Toyota Supra is back at the track! Beginning in 2019, the globally-recognized iconic sports car will prove its championship mettle in the hotly contested NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS). Supra will make its on-track debut in the NXS race at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, Feb. 16, 2019.
“When you talk Toyota and cool cars, Supra is the first thing that comes to mind for many auto enthusiasts,” said Ed Laukes, group vice president of Toyota Division Marketing. “Supra’s return in production form is huge news, but now we’re also going to see this iconic sports car return to American motorsport. From a marketing perspective, it’s important to have a race car that evokes the dynamism and character of its showroom counterpart. We’re confident we’ve accomplished that with Supra, and we hope racing fans the world over will proudly cheer its success on track.”
Toyota worked with its subsidiaries, TRD (Toyota Racing Development) in Costa Mesa, California, and Calty Design Research, Inc. (Calty) in Newport Beach, California, to develop a Supra for the NASCAR competition. The two teams applied key learnings from their prior collaborative efforts in NASCAR, which included the 2018 Toyota Camry that clinched the 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series championship.
To build the Supra for NASCAR, TRD and Calty scaled Supra to fit within NASCAR’s specifications for race vehicle entries in the NXS.
“We’ve had tremendous success working with Calty to develop race cars that match the look, feel and excitement of their showroom counterparts,” said David Wilson, president of TRD. “We’re confident Calty and TRD have developed another race car, Supra, that is capable of winning races and championships. For Supra to be racing in NASCAR just speaks to how important this vehicle is to us, and that we believe Supra can be a bona fide championship winner.”
Toyota has fielded Camry in NXS competitions since 2007, tallying four manufacturer championships while Camry has earned two driver championships and 142 wins. The 2019 season marks the first year Toyota will field a different model in all three of NASCAR’s national series – Camry at the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (MENCS) level, Supra in the NXS, and Tundra in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS).
Supra previously raced in both America and Japan, where it was a dominant force in Super GT competition and a contender in the IMSA Camel GT Series in the 1980s. It also made two appearances in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in France in the 1990s.
TRD and Calty previously worked together to design:

  • 2013: Sixth-generation Camry for MENCS
  • 2014: Tundra for NCWTS
  • 2015: Seventh-generation Camry for NXS
  • 2016: Eighth-generation Camry for MENCS
  • 2017: Eighth-generation Camry for NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series

Calty has worked hand-in-hand with TRD, Toyota’s North American race engineer arm, to ensure consistency between production models and on-track Toyota race cars, while also improving on-track performance with each new build. The groups began work on the NASCAR Supra in 2017.
“When Ed (Laukes) told me they were bringing Supra back, I almost didn’t believe him. I figured he was messing with me, but Toyota did it and this is a big deal for the NASCAR Xfinity Series,” said Kyle Busch, who won the 2009 NXS championship in Camry. “Supra is an iconic cool car, and to have it racing in NASCAR to highlight Supra’s return speaks to how important this is. I’m hoping to be the first guy to get Supra to victory lane, but I’m sure there’s a few other Toyota drivers thinking the same thing.”
Reflecting Toyota’s commitment to motorsports, the manufacturer now showcases six models across eight series in America. Toyota Racing Development’s lineup includes: Camry, Supra, and Tundra in the NASCAR national series; Camry in the NHRA Funny Car competition; Camry in the ARCA Racing Series and regional touring series; 86 and Corolla Hatchback in Formula Drift; as well as engines for dirt midget racing and other series.
About Toyota Canada Inc.
Toyota Canada Inc. (TCI) is the exclusive Canadian distributor of Toyota and Lexus vehicles. Toyota has sold over 5 million vehicles in Canada through a national network of 287 Toyota and Lexus dealerships. Toyota is dedicated to bringing safety, quality, dependability and reliability in the vehicles Canadians drive and the service they receive. TCI’s head office is located in Toronto, with regional offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal and Halifax and parts distribution centres in Toronto and Vancouver. Toyota operates two manufacturing facilities in Canada. Having produced more than eight million vehicles, popular Canadian models built at these facilities include Toyota RAV4, Toyota Corolla, Lexus RX 350 and RX 450h hybrid.


Could Canadian Seniors Lead the Semi-Automated Vehicle Revolution?

Jun 28, 2018

Ottawa, ON – June 28, 2018 A new study by the Traffic Injury Research Foundation (TIRF) suggests senior drivers in Canada could play a leadership role in the safe adoption of semi-automated vehicles as Canadian roadways transition from traditional vehicles to increasingly automated vehicles. The study, funded by the Toyota Canada Foundation, analyzed data regarding the knowledge, attitudes and practices of senior drivers collected from focus groups, as well as an online survey of 2,662 Canadians.
The TIRF study was conducted to better understand the perceptions and attitudes of older drivers towards semi-automated vehicles, and to understand how their knowledge and beliefs about such vehicles can influence the likelihood they will rely on this technology to improve their safety on the road and increase their mobility.
“Our findings were quite surprising and showed that older drivers are very receptive to using semi-automated vehicles,” said Robyn Robertson, President and CEO of TIRF. “This is counter-intuitive as the adoption of new technologies is typically associated with a young demographic.”
Results of the study showed that older drivers recognize the potential of semi-automated technology to increase their safety on the road and instill greater confidence in their ability to drive under challenging conditions that are typically avoided.
They also recognize that this technology can enhance mobility among older drivers, helping them to safely prolong their driving years and mitigate errors associated with age-related factors such as perceptual, cognitive and physical declines that can degrade their ability to perform common driving maneuvers.
The study concluded that this cohort of drivers is very receptive to strategies and tools that help them learn to use semi-automated vehicles in ways that maximize safety and mobility benefits.
Canadians aged 65 years and older currently represent one in seven Canadians. In the next two decades, the population of seniors will grow to more than 10 million and will account for one in four Canadians. As one of the largest age cohorts, older adults will represent a significant segment of the driving population.
Senior drivers are also among the safest drivers because of their accumulated years of driving experience and exposure to all types of road environments and conditions.
“It appears that senior drivers are poised to take on a leadership role in the transformation of our country’s vehicle fleet given their safe driving behaviour and their openness to learning about new technologies that might help them,” Robertson added. “Senior drivers seem to possess important characteristics that make them ideal candidates for safe early adoption.”
Perhaps most importantly, what we learn from our seniors’ transition to increasingly automated vehicles will let us develop important educational tools to help the other population segments in their transition.
Robertson concluded: Seniors’ ability to adapt to a new vehicle and road environment, as some of the safest drivers on the road, could help to set standards regarding the level of education and skills that drivers of all ages must possess before using semi-automated vehicles.”
An interesting dichotomy.  An important challenge.  Are we doing enough to enable them?
If Canada’s largest population segment and safest drivers are a) most aware of the potential benefits of increasingly automated vehicles, b) most cognizant of the inherent risks and limitations, and c) most open to learning how to use the technology safely… what’s stopping us from putting them in the driver’s seat?
The in-depth understanding of seniors’ attitudes and behaviours vis-à-vis semi-automated vehicles gained in the study will help develop education and training tailored to the needs and expectations of senior drivers.
In developing this education and training, there are two important barriers that need to be considered.
Seniors will face a steeper learning curve than the younger segments of the population: They have been driving for a longer period of time, mainly in vehicles that lack advanced driver assistance systems.
They also learn differently: The study showed that Canadian seniors overwhelmingly prefer hands-on learning and formal classroom settings with opportunities to practice before getting behind the wheel.
These two hurdles point to the need for educational strategies tailored to this demographic, as well as appropriate learning environments and resources.
“TIRF’s research shows us our older drivers could actually be best poised to lead society’s transition into increasingly automated vehicles,” says Toyota Canada Foundation board member, Larry Hutchinson. “But they’d also have a steeper learning curve and would require a different learning environment. This interesting dichotomy poses an important challenge for all of us. We’ll need to upgrade the education of drivers if we want this transition to be a smooth one.”
Download Senior Drivers & Automated Vehicles: Knowledge, Attitudes & Practices http://tirf.ca/TIRFCAD18JJ
Download Senior Drivers & Automated Vehicles: Knowledge, Attitudes & Practices Executive Summary http://tirf.ca/TIRFCAD18KK
Download Seniors as Safe Early Adopters of Self-Driving Vehicle Technology – Infographic http://tirf.ca/TIRFCAD18MM

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About TIRF. Established in 1964, TIRF’s mission is to reduce traffic-related deaths and injuries. As a national, independent, charitable road safety research institute, TIRF designs, promotes, and implements effective programs and policies, based on sound research. TIRF is a registered Canadian charity and depends on grants, contracts, and donations to provide services to the public. Visit us online at www.tirf.caTwitter and Facebook.
About the Toyota Canada Foundation. The Toyota Canada Foundation is a private charitable foundation focused on supporting registered charitable organizations dedicated to STEM education outreach and teaching Canadians how to use the advanced safety technology in their vehicles.


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TORONTO, ON – June 20, 2018 – Canadian drivers in the market for a fun to drive, boldly styled and remarkably efficient gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle will want to check out the all-new 2018 Toyota Camry Hybrid – making its first appearance in the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada’s annual EcoRun event. The Camry Hybrid will be joined by Toyota’s Prius Prime plug-in hybrid-electric at the 2018 EcoRun, taking place June 20-23 between Moncton and Fredericton in New Brunswick.
“At Toyota, we recognize that environmental excellence must go hand in hand with vehicles that work for today’s drivers under real world conditions,” said Cyril Dimitris, Vice President, Toyota Canada Inc. “The Camry Hybrid and the Prius Prime are great examples of how Toyota makes it easy for drivers in Canada – and around the world – to manage their environmental footprint while still enjoying all of the benefits of a fun-to-drive, stylish, comfortable and well-equipped vehicle. We look forward to demonstrating both models at this year’s EcoRun.”
When it was introduced more than a decade ago, the Camry Hybrid quickly established itself as Toyota’s best-selling hybrid-electric model – and with good reason, as it benefits from all of the qualities that have made the conventional gasoline Camry so successful. For the 2018 model year, engineers fitted the Camry Hybrid with the next generation of the Toyota Hybrid System. The THS II boosts net system power, even as it improves efficiency by 17 percent compared to the previous year’s model. What’s more, the 2018 Camry Hybrid positively sips fuel, with an appetite of less than five liters per 100 kilometers (city/highway combined). Built using Toyota New Global Architecture – a state of the art approach to platform and powertrain design that helps deliver superior handling, the 2018 Camry Hybrid is more fun than ever to drive, too.
Now available in across Canada, the Prius Prime features room for four adults and is built around an ultra-efficient power train. This plug-in hybrid-electric model is Toyota’s most fuel-efficient hybrid to date. With Prius Prime, drivers can travel more than 40 kilometers in pure electric mode – more than enough for most daily commutes – without using a drop of gasoline. What’s more, drivers can relax knowing that if they run out of electric charge, the Prius Prime’s ultra-efficient gasoline-electric hybrid will seamlessly take over. With a range of more than 1,000 kilometers on a single tank of gas and full battery charge, Prius Prime gets drivers to their destinations, every time.
Beyond their advanced power trains, both the Camry Hybrid and the Prius Prime offer drivers stylish vehicles that are fun to drive and loaded with comfort, convenience and safety features.
Together, the Camry Hybrid and Prius Prime demonstrate two of Toyota’s many approaches to decarbonize the automobile as part of the Toyota Environmental Challenge 2050. This is a global initiative to address climate change, natural resource consumption, and recycling issues. It includes the New Vehicle Zero Emissions Challenge, which employs advanced power train technologies and other strategies to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from new vehicles by 90 percent compared to 2010 levels.
Toyota is the number one seller of electrified vehicles in Canada. Since the launch of the Toyota Prius in 2000, Toyota Canada has sold more than 160,000 hybrid electric vehicles in Canada.
For complete and up to date details and specifications on the Camry Hybrid, the Prius Prime, and other advanced technology vehicles – including the world’s most popular and proven selection of hybrid-electric cars and SUVs – visit www.toyota.ca
About Toyota Canada Inc.
Toyota Canada Inc. (TCI) is the exclusive Canadian distributor of Toyota and Lexus vehicles. Toyota has sold over 5 million vehicles in Canada through a national network of 287 Toyota and Lexus dealerships. Toyota is dedicated to bringing safety, quality, dependability and reliability in the vehicles Canadians drive and the service they receive. TCI’s head office is located in Toronto, with regional offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal and Halifax and parts distribution centres in Toronto and Vancouver. Toyota operates two manufacturing facilities in Canada. Having produced more than seven million vehicles, popular Canadian models built at these facilities include Toyota RAV4, Toyota Corolla, Lexus RX 350 and RX 450h hybrid.


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TORONTO, ON – June 11, 2018 – It’s hard to resist an all-inclusive package – like the 2019 Toyota Corolla. With its winning blend of style, technology and advanced safety features – headlined by Toyota Safety Sense on all models – there are plenty of reasons to embrace the legendary Corolla.
“Corolla has been part of millions of Canadian lives for more than 50 years,” said Cyril Dimitris, Vice President, Toyota Canada Inc. “It’s sporty styling and equally sporty handling make it fun-to-drive, while its state-of-the-art safety and legendary dependability and efficiency make it a pleasure to own. Corolla is our all-time best-selling model – and the 2019 Corolla is ready to demonstrate why to even more Canadian drivers.”
Feel right at home in the 2019 Toyota Corolla, thanks to its comfortable interior with room for five adults, plus a 60/40 split fold-down rear seat to maximize versatility for carrying cargo. All models include a Display Audio system with SIRI Eyes-Free, Bluetooth connectivity and steering wheel-mounted controls. Other standard features include LED headlamps and dual power adjustable, heated exterior mirrors, power doors and windows, piano black centre cluster accents, map lamps, and 12v power outlets for personal electronics.
Under the hood, the 1.8L four-cylinder engine delivers a peak 132 horsepower for plenty of driving fun. This is coupled to either a six-speed manual transmission or a continuously variable transmission with intelligent shift (CVTi-S), depending on model.
The 2019 Toyota Corolla is the compact sedan with full-size safety features, headlined by Toyota Safety Sense P. This bundle of advanced safety systems includes the Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection function, featuring forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking… Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist function… Automatic High Beams… and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control. Other standard safety features include the six active technologies of the Toyota Star Safety System, eight airbags, a backup camera, and front seats with whiplash injury-lessening headrests.
The 2019 Toyota Corolla is offered in a broad selection of models and trim levels, as follows:
The 2019 Toyota Corolla CE is offered with a choice of manual transmission (Starting MSRP: $16,790) or CVTi-S (Starting MSRP: $20,375). This model features a 6.1” touchscreen Display Audio system, fabric seats, an ECO Indicator, 15” steel wheels, intermittent wipers, LED Daytime Running Lights, and more. The CVT-equipped model is also standard equipped with Air Conditioning.
The 2019 Toyota Corolla LE (Starting MSRP: $21,210) is offered with the CVTi-S. The LE builds on the CE model, adding features including heated front seats, premium fabric seat surfaces, auto air conditioning, fabric door trim, chrome inner door handles, soft touch console box lid, 16” steel wheels, and a windshield wiper de-icer. This model may be upgraded with the following available packages:

  • The 2019 Toyota Corolla LE Upgrade Package (starting MSRP $22,710) adds a heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel, 16” aluminum alloy wheels, and a power slide/tilt moon roof.
  • The 2019 Toyota Corolla XLE (starting MSRP $25,900) builds on the upgrade package with additional amenities, including integrated Sirius XM Satellite Radio, a navigation system, eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat, Softex Leather seat surfaces, the Smart Key System and Push Button Start, auto-dimming rear view mirror with Homelink and compass, and a tire pressure monitoring system.

The 2019 Toyota Corolla SE is offered with a choice of manual transmission (Starting MSRP: $21,025) or CVTi-S with sport mode, sequential shift mode, and paddle shifters (Starting MSRP: $22,010). This model includes auto air conditioning, heated front sport seats, sport fabric seat surfaces with leatherette trim, a 4.2” multi-information display, sport speedometer, piano black instrument panel trim accent, synthetic leather door trim, chrome inner door handles, leather-wrapped steering wheel, 16” steel wheels, exterior mirrors with integrated signal lamps, LED reverse lights, bumper-mounted LED daytime running lights, multi-LED headlamps, and more. This model may be upgraded with the following available packages:

  • The 2019 Toyota Corolla SE with Upgrade Package is offered with a choice of manual transmission (Starting MSRP: $22,525) or CVTi-S with sport mode, sequential shift mode, and paddle shifters (Starting MSRP: $23,510). It adds a heated steering wheel, 17” aluminum alloy wheels, rear disc brakes, and a power slide/tilt moon roof.
  • The 2019 Toyota Corolla XSE (Starting MSRP: $26,090) – available only as a CVTi-S equipped model – includes all the features of the Corolla SE with Upgrade Package, plus amenities including Integrated Sirius XM Satellite Radio, Navigation system with 7” display screen, eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat, Softex Leather seat surfaces, the Smart Key System and Push Button Start, Auto-dimming rear view mirror with homelink and compass, and a tire pressure monitoring system.

The 2019 Toyota Corolla LE ECO (Starting MSRP: $21,710) is offered with the CVTi-S. This model features a VALVEMATIC 1.8L four-cylinder engine that produces 140 peak horsepower and even better fuel efficiency. This model includes heated front seats, premium fabric seat surfaces, auto air conditioning, fabric door trim, chrome inner door handles, soft touch console box lid, 15” steel wheels clad in low-rolling-resistance tires, a direct tire pressure monitoring system, rear lip spoiler, and a windshield wiper de-icer.
The 2019 Toyota Corolla is on sale at Toyota Dealers across Canada. For complete and up to date details and specifications, visit www.toyota.ca/corolla.
About Toyota Canada Inc.
Toyota Canada Inc. (TCI) is the exclusive Canadian distributor of Toyota and Lexus vehicles. Toyota has sold over 5 million vehicles in Canada through a national network of 287 Toyota and Lexus dealerships. Toyota is dedicated to bringing safety, quality, dependability and reliability in the vehicles Canadians drive and the service they receive. TCI’s head office is located in Toronto, with regional offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal and Halifax and parts distribution centres in Toronto and Vancouver. Toyota operates two manufacturing facilities in Canada. Having produced more than seven million vehicles, popular Canadian models built at these facilities include Toyota RAV4, Toyota Corolla, Lexus RX 350 and RX 450h hybrid.


MEDIAREALEASE

Toyota Canada Inc. Sees Sales Increase to start the Second Half of 2017

• Strong car sales, up 5.3% from 2016, lead to another good month for TCI
• Hybrid vehicle sales also continue to climb with a record July, up 11.7% from 2016


(TORONTO, ON – August 1, 2017) Motoring into the second half of 2017, Toyota Canada Inc. (TCI) recorded an increase in overall sales in July, with 18,961 units sold, up 3.8% compared to 2016.
The Toyota division (including Scion) sold a total of 16,943 units, up 3.4% from 2016, and the Lexus division reported a 13th consecutive monthly sales record, with 2,018 luxury vehicles sold, up 7.2% compared to last year.
Strong car sales lead the way, with the all-new Toyota Camry yet to come
Strong overall sales for TCI were led by car sales, with 7,507 units sold this month, up 5.3% compared to 2016. This bodes well for the company as it prepares to introduce its all-new Toyota Camry to the Canadian market in August.
With a bold new exterior, improved fuel efficiency and sportier feel, the completely re-designed and re-engineered 2018 Toyota Camry is expected to help continue the car sales trend at TCI.
Sales of hybrid vehicles also continue to climb
Hybrid vehicle sales also continued to climb for TCI, setting another monthly record with 1,904 units sold, up 11.7% compared to 2016.
Additional July Sales Highlights
• Toyota Yaris sales of 838 units, up 34.9%
• Toyota Corolla sales of 4,173 units, up 8.5%
• Toyota Highlander sales of 1,322 units, up 24.7% (new July record)
• Lexus RX sales of 740, up 19.4%
• Lexus NX sales of 624 units, up 22.4% (new July record)

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