Toyota plans spate of new models

NEW MODELS/ Affordable Vitz and updated Fortuner are also headed to our shores in 2023, while two new-energy vehicles are already here and being tested, writes

The new-generation Urban Cruiser crossover, the entry-level Vitz hatchback and the updated Fortuner SUV are among a spate of models being introduced by Toyota SA in 2023.

The new-generation Urban Cruiser crossover, the entry-level Vitz hatchback and the updated Fortuner SUV are among a spate of new models being introduced by Toyota SA in 2023.

Having survived as the country’s most popular new-vehicle brand in 2022 despite the flooding of its Durban factory, Toyota’s new arrivals will help consolidate the company’s marketleading position, which it has held for 43 years.

At Toyota SA’s sixth annual state of the motor industry conference held in Midrand last week, Andrew Kirby, the company’s president and CEO, predicted a total new-vehicle market of 570,000 units in SA despite rising interest rates affecting affordability. This is a 7.8% increase from the 528,963 sold in 2022, with Kirby believing 580,000 could have been attained had there been none of the supply constraints affecting the global motor industry. He believes supply will improve in 2023 but semiconductor backlogs will continue.

The B segment represented 49% of last year’s local car sales and the Urban Cruiser was Toyota’s best performer in that market. Based on the Suzuki Vitara Brezza in a cost-saving partnership between the companies, the Urban Cruiser launched in 2021 became one of SA’s most popular vehicles. In 2022 it attracted 16,992 new owners to make it the third best-selling passenger car behind the VW Polo Vivo and Suzuki Swift.

Production of the car has ended at the factory in India and Toyota will replace it with a new Urban Cruiser based on the larger Suzuki Grand Vitara. The company says it will cost more than its predecessor and prices are to be revealed at the local launch.

Technical details too are not yet confirmed but it is likely the new Urban Cruiser will continue to be powered by a 1.5l normally aspirated petrol engine and retain frontwheel drive.

The Toyota Vitz will be introduced in the second quarter as a rebadged Suzuki Celerio and the tiny A-segment hatchback replaces the Agya as Toyota’s cheapest car in the country. The Agya had a short tenure in SA since being launched in 2020 as replacement for the Aygo.

The Vitz is identical to the Celerio and powered by the same 1.0l petrol engine with outputs of 49kW and 89Nm.

Toyota has not confirmed pricing but it is likely to be similar to that of the Celerio, which retails for between R178,900 and R213,900. The Agya is priced between R200,000 and R215,600.

The Fortuner is SA’s most popular large SUV and in 2023 it is being refreshed with aggressive new styling featuring revised LED headlamps, front grille and bumper treatment. There is also an added red and black interior trim option.

Toyota will bring the Crown to SA as a sample introduction with a few retail units in 2023. The striking car is chock-ablock with space and comfort, and the petrol-electric hybrid claims a fuel consumption of just 4.4l/100km.

Two new models will be introduced by Toyota’s luxury Lexus brand: the petrol-electric NX PHEV (plug-in hybrid), which can drive up to 60km on pure electric power; and the new-generation RX which comprises petrol and hybrid.

The new Lexus models advance the Toyota group’s electrification strategy under which the company has launched hybrid versions. Mostly by virtue of the popular Corolla Cross hybrid, the company holds 76% of SA’s new-energy vehicle sales.

Unlike most car manufacturers, Toyota Motor Corporation does not have a cutoff date for internal combustion engine (ICE) cars and believes electric vehicles (EVs) are not the solution for every market. The company has a multipronged strategy including ICE, hybrid, electric and hydrogen cars.

Toyota SA is conducting feasibility studies on two newenergy vehicles it has brought to the country for testing: the hydrogen fuel cell Mirai, which has a range of 600km and emits only water vapour; and an electric Lexus UX BEV (batteryelectric vehicle) with a claimed range of 450km.

The new Urban Cruiser, above, is larger and will be priced higher. Above left: The Fortuner is SA’s most popular large SUV and in 2023 it is being refreshed with aggressive new styling. Left: The Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell car is being tested in SA.