Monday, September 17, 2012
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Toyota Tundra to Tow Space Shuttle Endeavour on Last Leg of Journey to the California Science Center
Tested extensively prior to the announcement, the 2012 Tundra is slated to safely tow the 300,000 pound historic artifact down Bill Robertson Lane in Exposition Park, near downtown Los Angeles, on the final leg of its journey. Endeavour will be towed using a stock 2012 Tundra CrewMax 1/2–ton pickup, identical to models currently found in Toyota dealerships, with no additional modifications made to increase towing capacity or generate more power. The Tundra CrewMax is equipped with Toyota’s powerful 5.7L V8 engine, producing a maximum tow capacity of 10,000 pounds. TMS has done extensive testing and worked with The Sarens Group, a heavy lifting and engineered transport company, to develop a dolly specifically for hauling the Endeavour.
“There is no larger or more recognizable icon of the U.S. space program’s success than the shuttle, and to have it towed by the Toyota Tundra is not only an incredible example of the capabilities of the truck, but an honor to be part of history,” said Ed Laukes, TMS vice president of marketing communications. “The entire journey is something the world will be watching, and gives us a chance to prove that the ‘overbuilt’ Tundra is built to do any job – even tow the space shuttle.”
Participation in the transportation of the shuttle is part of an ongoing partnership between TMS and the Science Center in an effort to provide support and awareness of the space program and continuing education of the public through exhibits and programs. Toyota currently has a Tundra truck on display in a Science Center exhibit demonstrating the physics of leverage. The tow Tundra will replace the existing Tundra and will be on display after the Endeavour exhibit opens on October 30, 2012.
At the end of the Endeavour’s 12 mile journey from LAX to the Science Center, a “finish-line” celebration at Exposition Park is planned for the evening of October 13, as the shuttle arrives at the Science Center, allowing the public to witness the finale of this historic voyage.
The tow program was developed in partnership with Saatchi & Saatchi LA (SSLA), the agency of record for TMS, and the Science Center, and serves as a unique way to demonstrate Tundra’s capabilities and towing capacity. In collaboration with SSLA and Science Center, TMS has developed a host of online resources and activities that provide behind-the-scenes videos, photos, activities for children and information about the Tundra Endeavour project and can be found at www.toyota.com/TundraEndeavour beginning September 17th. Visitors can share content, sign up for email alerts and participate in re-Tweeting information that will help contribute money to the California Science Center for further development of exhibits and displays.
*Courtesy of Toyota USA Newsroom
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Monday, September 10, 2012
Toyota Maintains Industry-Leading Fuel Economy by Putting Cars on a Diet and 2013 Avalon Will Be Lightest in Segment
Avalon Chief Engineer Randy Stephens and his development team at Toyota Technical Center (TTC) in Ann Arbor, Mich., worked toward a goal of making Avalon lighter, yet more rigid, to help improve overall driving performance. As a result, the new 2013 Avalon is 110 lbs. lighter than the 2012 model, tipping the scales at 3,461 lbs. compared to 3,571 for the 2012 model. When it arrives at dealerships later this year, the 2013 Avalon and will be the lightest-weight vehicle in the premium mid-size segment.
“Our target was to dramatically improve all aspects of dynamic performance,” Stephens explained, “Especially in the areas of fuel efficiency, handling and performance.”
Engineering for weight reduction requires examination of all elements of vehicle design and componentry to achieve weight targets and requires collaboration from vehicle design teams to isolate and address a variety of potential weight-loss areas during development. Following this process, the team was able to achieve significant mass reduction in several key areas like body structure, seat structure and wheel design.
It proved to be a challenge, however, due to the weight penalty imposed by equipment necessitated by increased regulations, improved performance targets and added customer features. With each design engineering group’s agreement, mass targets were set and carefully managed to control the overall vehicle target.
Dave Katarzynski, Program Manager of Avalon Vehicle Development offered this insight, “We established two main mass targets early in development: lowest mass among competitors (mass vs. vehicle size) and reduction of one inertia weight class rank. As part of each design engineering group's agreement, mass targets were set for each group. The groups then managed their part by part mass to keep their target and help control the overall goal. Hundreds of mass reduction ideas were tracked throughout development and periodic reviews checked status.”
The importance of mass reduction as a means of improving fuel economy, vehicle dynamics and enhancing the driving experience of the new Avalon was a major consideration, and that is where Stephen Provost, Manager, Ride and Handling, came in.
“Less mass makes Avalon more responsive and engaging near handling limits,” he explained. “Also, with less mass, less tire width is needed to reach competitive grip levels. The smaller width helps minimize drag losses to help enhance fuel economy, too.”
With the Toyota’s engineering mantra of weight reduction in place, lower vehicle weights are achieved utilizing revised lighter weight materials for vehicle construction.
Rob McConnell, Principal Engineer, Body Shell and Exterior Plastics, said, “Through the installation of a higher class of high performance polypropylene resin (more fluid), we were able to decrease the general thickness of the front and rear bumpers, resulting in a decrease in mass, aiding in achieving improved fuel economy. Also, by adopting a higher content of high-strength steel in the pillars and rocker panels, we were able to conserve mass while maintaining crash performance targets.”
Generous weight reduction of 263 lbs. is also evident in the midsize Camry Hybrid from previous generation to current model (3,680 lbs. for 2011 Camry Hybrid vs. 3,417 lbs. for 2012 model), and despite increased length and width, the new 2013 Avalon Hybrid still enjoys a weight advantage over the smaller, previous generation 2011 Camry Hybrid. Though the 2011 Camry Hybrid and the 2013 Avalon Hybrid both include the Hybrid Synergy Drive hardware (electric motors, battery, power control unit, etc.), the new 2013 Avalon model still weighs 87 lbs. less than the smaller 2011 Camry Hybrid (3,593 lbs. for 2013 Avalon compared to 3,680 lbs. for 2011 Camry). The 2013 Avalon offers a combined 40 mpg EPA-rating while the 2011 Camry Hybrid was EPA-rated at 33 mpg combined. This is as much a testament to engineering weight reduction into the vehicle structure as it is to powertrain developments that reduce component mass and overall friction in the name of efficiency.
Tin Bui, a Toyota engineer in charge of Avalon fuel economy and road load development said, “To improve the vehicle's fuel economy we focused on reducing the vehicle's resistance which lowers the engine's effort and fuel consumption. One resistance area we worked on is reducing the vehicle's weight. With reduced vehicle weight, there is less resistance to accelerate the vehicle. Lower vehicle weight also reduces the vehicle's tire rolling resistance allowing it to roll more freely.”
One reason Toyota enjoys success with consumers is because of the brand’s focus on producing highly fuel efficient vehicles. In fact, in the U.S. market, Toyota is the most fuel efficient full-line manufacturer offering a vehicle lineup that includes the Prius family (Prius, Prius Plug-in, Prius v, and Prius c) boasting an average combined fuel economy rating of 48 mpg. In addition, the popular Camry sedan offers a 33 mpg average combined fuel economy rating across its models. By the end of 2012, the premium mid-size Avalon Hybrid sedan, that employs many weight-savings engineering tactics, will arrive to market with a combined 40 mpg rating, and offer consumers another highly efficient option.
*Courtesy of Toyota USA Newsroom
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Toyota Motor Sales Reports 40 Percent Increase in August Sales
The Toyota Division posted total August sales of 164,283 units, an increase of 42.0 percent on a DSR basis from August 2011. On a raw volume basis, Toyota Division sales were up 47.5 percent from the year-ago month. “The auto industry continued to outperform the general economy in August,” said Bill Fay, Toyota group vice president and general manager. “The driving force behind our growth continues to be strong consumer response to the new models we’ve launched over the past twelve months and the added value those vehicles represent.” The Lexus Division reported total sales of 24,237 units in August 2012, up 28.9 percent from August 2011 on a DSR basis. Volume-wise, Lexus Division sales were up 33.9 percent compared to the same period last year. “Virtually every Lexus model enjoyed a significant sales increase in August,” said Tim Morrison, Lexus vice president of sales and dealer development. “With a strong Labor Day weekend, and our newly launched products leading the way, the momentum continues into September.” Toyota Division Toyota Division light trucks recorded August sales of 71,200 units, an increase of 47.9 percent compared to the same month last year. Light truck sales were again led by the RAV4 compact SUV and Tacoma mid-size pickup truck, with monthly sales of 15,685 and 12,193, respectively. Highlander and Highlander Hybrid reported combined sales of 11,441 units, and the Tundra full-size pickup reported sales of 11,347 units. Scion posted August sales of 7,722 units, up 111.6 percent on a volume basis over August 2011. The tC sports coupe led the way with sales of 2,378 units, up 113.5 percent, while the newly launched FR-S sports car reported sales of 1,913 units. The xD five-door urban subcompact posted sales of 1,004 units, and the xB urban utility vehicle posted August sales of 1,879 units. The all-new iQ premium micro-subcompact posted monthly sales of 548 units. Lexus luxury utility vehicles recorded sales of 10,213 units, up 31.4 percent over August 2011. Lexus light truck sales were led by the RX and RX Hybrid luxury utility vehicle, which posted combined August sales of 8,628 units. The GX 460 mid-size luxury utility vehicle reported sales of 1,071 units, while the LX luxury utility vehicle recorded sales of 514 units. *Courtesy of Toyota Newsroom USA
Toyota Division passenger cars recorded combined monthly sales of 93,083 units, up 47.2 percent from August 2011. Passenger car sales were led by Camry and Camry Hybrid with combined sales of 36,720 units, and Corolla reported August sales of 24,311 units. The Prius family of vehicles posted August sales of 21,111 units.
Lexus Division
Lexus reported passenger car sales of 14,024 units, up 35.7 percent from August 2011. The ES 350 entry luxury sedan and the first-ever ES Hybrid led Lexus passenger car sales with combined sales of 7,557 units, while the IS luxury sports sedan reported sales of 2,369 units. The CT 200h premium hybrid compact posted sales of 1,472 units.