Toyota Of Wallingford

Next-generation Toyota RAV4 EV? That's right. The forthcoming 2012 model, isn't the first RAV4 EV ever made. The RAV4 EV story actually starts 16 years ago in 1995, when Toyota introduced the first prototype, and claimed a victory, at the Scandinavian Electric Rally Car Rally.

Later that same year, Toyota, placed the RAV4 EV prototype at institutions around the state of California. The following year, in 1996, Toyota launched the first stage of its zero-emission vehicle test program, featuring two-door RAV4 EV prototypes. They also debuted the RAV4 EV at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

In 1997, the first-generation Toyota RAV4 EV was available exclusively to fleet consumers. Four years later, it was available to the general public residing in the Golden State. In 2003, production paused. Why? It was ahead of its time. There wasn't the avid interest in EVs then. But, there certainly is now. And, for all of you interested in the next-gen RAV4 EV, you'll be happy to know that recent reports claiming the EV will only be available to fleet and car-share program buyers are inaccurate.

Toyota has confirmed mass-market availability of the new 2012 Toyota RAV4 EV in a recent press release. "We'd like to set the record straight," the Japanese automaker says. "The 2012 RAV4 EV will definitely be sold to the general public."¹

Toyota of Wallingford would like to note that in addition to the 2012 RAV4 EV, Toyota will also be launching the all-new Scion iQ EV based on the Toyota iQ available in Japan, in 2012. The funkier-looking Scion EV, however, will be available exclusively to fleet and car share buyers.

To learn more about the next-gen Toyota RAV4 EV, boasting a 100-mile max driving range, contact Toyota of Wallingford today. And be sure to stay tuned for more Toyota news, coming soon.

Source: ¹ http://pressroom.toyota.com/releases/toyota+rav4+ev+coming+to+market+in+2012.htm

Remember back to 2008 when Toyota promised to display a CNG-electric hybrid Camry at the Las Angeles Auto Show? Irv Miller, Vice President Toyota Motor Sales' U.S. division said, "With this concept, we are confirming our interest in pursuing CNG [natural gas]."¹

Despite Miller's strong proclamation of intent, it's hard to recall much news about Toyota's pursuit of CNG, since 2008. Perhaps the topic has been pushed out of the media's sight and minds by the company's poster child, the Prius. It certainly doesn't mean that Toyota shelved their plans.

Recent reports indicate that Toyota Motor Corp.'s North American engineering and manufacturing operations has made a deal with Constellation Energy, employing the firm to manage its natural gas needs. This proves the automaker is continuing to pursue CNG with more intensity than ever.

Among the many areas Constellation Energy is expected to handle for Toyota are natural gas supply, risk management, hedging, budget analysis, energy market monitoring. The Baltimore-based company will also be responsible for monitoring relevant regulatory and legislative issues for the Japanese automaker. More specifically, they're expected to provide risk management services to 14 Toyota facilities, and supply natural gas to nine different Toyota sites throughout the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

Stay tuned for more Toyota news coming soon. Toyota of Wallingford is dedicated to keeping you informed.

To explore Toyota's three greenest vehicles; click on one of the models below. And remember, more Prii are coming soon!

-    Prius
-    Highlander Hybrid
-    Camry Hybrid

Source: ¹http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/environment/2008-09-24-toyota_N.htm

It seems like automakers and consumers alike are on the elusive quest for a better way to power electric cars. Well, that quest is getting a little less equivocal. Toyota Motor Co., the largest seller of hybrid vehicles worldwide is working on developing a magnesium battery that holds twice the energy of lithium-ion cells. And, according to Jeffrey Makarewiez, the engineer managing the U.S. project, the work in Ann Arbor complements other future electric-power chemistries at Toyota labs in Japan.

"Going from nickel-metal hydride to lithium ion, you essentially double energy capacity," Makareweiz says. "Lithium ion theoretically, under ideal conditions, has a capacity of about 2,000 kilowatt hours. That's still not enough to really make a very competitive battery that's necessary for future plug-in, electric and hybrid-electric vehicles."¹

Toyota has and continues to release rechargeable models with lithium-ion packs that let drivers go extended distances on battery power alone. However, Bob Carter, Vice President, Toyota City indicates that due to power-pack limitations, he expects much more modest demand of battery-powered cars in the next few years than does Nissan. Makareweiz estimates that vehicles with magnesium batteries or alternatives may be ready by 2020. He also indicates that while Toyota's Torrance, California unit is investigating aluminum and calcium as potential materials for car batteries, company engineers in Japan are researching "lithium air and metal air" batteries.

[SOURCE]¹http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-01-10/toyota-developing-magnesium-battery-as-lithium-alternate.html

Toyota is still holding strong in the consumer market, and execs at the Japanese auto maker are pledging that their Prius branded vehicles will be the best selling cars in America by 2020.

Toyota is working on a line of vehicles that will hold the Prius name, including an MPV and possibly a crossover or coupe. There is also a Plug-in Prius coming later this year. Prius is, without a doubt,  the best-selling hybrid vehicle in America and around the world. Bob Carter, Toyota America's VP of Sales, told Auto News that the Prius nameplate "will be the #1 selling vehicle in the US by the end of the decade." With only 9 years to go, that's a lot to ask for. We think Toyota can pull it off.

Toyota's Prius also has to compete with a slew of hybrid cars and plug-ins from other auto makers, both foreign and domestic, and ranging from affordable to insanely expensive and luxurious. The amount of electric cars and hybrids from major automakers (not to mention start-ups) hitting the road in the next few years doesn't make Toyota's claim any easier to fulfill.

Prius posted its best-ever December in 2010, moving over 15,000 units last month and over 140,000 total units for 2010, or 8% of Toyota's total US sales. That's a 0.9% increase over 2009.

Despite overall Toyota sales being down slightly, and the Camry and Corolla still managed to take the 3rd and 5th best-selling vehicle positions for 2010, Prius is still sitting pretty with the majority of hybrid car shoppers.

Test drive an all new Toyota Prius and add to the legacy today at Toyota of Wallingford.