USA - The 2017 Mirai fuel cell vehicle comes with an even better range of standard kit, time to consider ? possibly !

Toyota Mirai drivers –COME ON DOWN!! While drivers may not see the trailblazing Toyota Mirai fuel cell vehicle in a game show showcase anytime soon, they can see every day value in new model year pricing. Toyota Mirai 2017 model year offers competitive, flexible pricing options and the opportunity to be a part of automotive history.

The Mirai hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle combines hydrogen and oxygen to make electricity onboard, while emitting nothing but water vapor. It is a zero emission vehicle with an EPA estimated driving range of 312 miles, and refuels in around five minutes.

MY17 MSRP remains $57,500 plus an $865 destination fee. Mirai customers also may qualify for an $8,000 federal tax credit and $5,000 potential California rebate along with access to the coveted California HOV carpool lane.

To recognize our Mirai drivers leading the way, qualified customers will be eligible for the Mirai trailblazer support program. The trailblazer program enhances the purchase and ownership experience with the following choices:

• Trailblazer Lease: $349 per month for 36 months, $2,499 due at signing* with 12,000/year  mileage allowance
• Trailblazer APR Support: 0% for 60 months or 1.9% for 72 months and
• Trailblazer Purchase Support of $7,500

*Excludes official fees, taxes and dealer charges. See participating Authorized Mirai Toyota Dealer for details.

The new model year brings with it a new color option–Atmospheric Blue –to complement the existing Celestial Black, Elemental Silver and Nautical Blue Mirai color choices.

The Mirai comprehensive, ownership experience remains unchanged for MY17, boasting a range of world class services, including:

• Three years’ worth of complimentary fuel [1]
• Three years complimentary Safety Connect and Entune, including hydrogen station finder app.
• Three years of 24/7 customer call support.
• Mirai Complimentary Rental Experience for seven days per year for three years.[2]
• ToyotaCare[3], our standard no cost service plan and roadside assistance, is enhanced for Mirai and includes:
  • No cost scheduled maintenance for three years, or 35,000 miles, whichever comes first[4]
  • No cost enhanced roadside assistance[5]for three years, regardless of mileage, including expedited towing service and trip interruption reimbursement at a maximum of $500 per day for up to 5 days per incident.[6]
• ?8-year/100,000-mile warranty on key fuel cell vehicle components including the FC stack and power control unit; FC hydrogen tanks; hybrid battery pack and ECU; FC air compressor, boost converter and ECU; hybrid control module (power management control module); and hydrogen fueling ECU.[4]

California customers can request a Mirai by visiting www.toyota.com/mirai. Production of the Mirai is limited and vehicles will be placed with select, eligible customers. After placing a request, potential Mirai drivers are contacted directly by a Toyota representative to discuss ownership and next steps.

Mirai customers take delivery from one of the eight authorized California dealers of their choosing. In Southern California, Longo Toyota, Toyota of Orange, Toyota of Santa Monica or Tustin Toyota will take care of Mirai trailblazers. Customers in Northern California will visit Roseville Toyota, San Francisco Toyota, Stevens Creek Toyota or Toyota Sunnyvale.

[1] Complimentary fuel for 3 years or $15,000 maximum, whichever comes first. Fuel program starts after receipt and activation of fuel card; fuel card is nontransferable. Fueling must be done at approved stations that meet SAE fueling interface protocols.

[2] The seven complimentary days per year will expire after each year and any unused days will not carry over.

[3] ToyotaCare covers normal factory scheduled maintenance for two years or 25,000 miles, whichever comes first. 24-hour roadside assistance is also included for two years, regardless of mileage. Valid only at authorized Mirai Fuel Cell dealers in the continental United States. See dealer for details and exclusions.

[4] Covers normal factory scheduled maintenance and is valid only at authorized Mirai Fuel Cell dealers in the continental United States. See dealer for details and exclusions.

[5] Does not include parts and fluids.

[6] Trip reimbursement covers interruptions that require the Toyota dealership to keep such vehicle overnight and such Covered Vehicle is at the time of such disablement more than fifty (50) miles from the residence of the owner of the Covered Vehicle. See an Authorized Mirai Fuel Cell dealer for details and exclusions. 

Toyota announces cumulative global sales of it's Hybrid ranges have now topped NINE Million Units.

Toyota Motor Corporation is proud to announce that the cumulative figures for global sales of its hybrid vehicles reached 9.014 million units as of April 30, surpassing the 9 million unit mark (1). This latest million-unit milestone was achieved in just nine months.

Helping to mitigate the environmental effects of automobiles is a priority for Toyota. Based on the stance that eco-friendly vehicles can only truly have a significant positive impact if they are widely used, Toyota has endeavored to encourage the mass-market adoption of hybrid vehicles across the globe.

In 2015, Toyota added a hybrid model of the popular minivan, the Sienta and began selling the latest hybrid icon: the fourth-generation Prius. 

Overseas, Toyota introduced the Corolla and Levin hybrid models in China -- with locally-produced hybrid systems -- and added a hybrid model of the RAV4 to its ever-increasing hybrid line-up. As of the end of April 2016, Toyota is selling 33 hybrid passenger car models and one plug-in hybrid (PHV) model in more than 90 countries and regions.

Toyota announced the Toyota Environmental Challenge 2050 in October of last year, setting challenges that it will undertake in order to reduce the negative impacts automobiles have on global environmental health to as close to zero as possible, and to contribute to the creation of a sustainable society. In order to fulfill these challenges. 

Toyota is working to expand its lineup of hybrid vehicles even further and will work to contribute to the environment by achieving annual sales of 1.5 million units, and cumulative sales of 15 million units by 2020.

Toyota calculates that as of April 30, the use of Toyota hybrid vehicles (2) in lieu of conventional vehicles of similar size and driving performance has resulted in approximately 67 million fewer tons (3) of CO2 emissions  -- believed to be a cause of global warming. Toyota also estimates that its hybrid vehicles have saved approximately 25 million kiloliters of gasoline compared to the amount used by gasoline-powered vehicles in the same class.

Toyota launched the Coaster Hybrid EV in August 1997 and the Prius, the world's first mass-produced hybrid passenger vehicle, in December of the same year. Since then, Toyota hybrid vehicles have received tremendous support from consumers around the world.

Toyota has positioned hybrid technologies, which encompass all of the component technologies necessary for the development of environment-friendly cars and which facilitate the use of different fuel combinations, as core environmental technologies for the twenty-first century. 

Toyota is committed to continuing its work to enhance performance, reduce costs, and expand its product lineup to create vehicles that are ever-more popular with consumers.

^{1Including plug-in hybrid vehicles; Toyota data}

^{2Excluding the Coaster Hybrid EV and "Quick Delivery 200"}

^{3Number of registered vehicles × distance traveled × fuel efficiency (actual fuel efficiency in each country) × CO2 conversion factor}

And Then There Was One... The World Green Car Of The Year goes too........

The TOYOTA MIRAI was declared the 2016 World Green Car at a press conference hosted by the New York International Auto Show, Bridgestone Corporation, and Autoneum.

Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) is no stranger to the World Car Awards program – now in its 12th year.  The Toyota Prius (2010) has previously earned “Top Three in the World” status for both the World Green Car and the overall World Car of the Year categories as voted by our 70 plus international automotive journalists that make up the jury. In addition, the Toyota GT86 was a “Top Three in the World” finalist for World Car of the Year in 2013; the Toyota iQ in 2009 for the same category; and the Toyota Harrier Hybrid in 2006 for World Green Car.

“Just as Prius changed the world nearly 20 years ago, the hydrogen-powered Mirai is ready to make history,” said Bill Fay, group vice president and general manager, Toyota Division.  “With a range of over 300 miles per tank, a refueling time of under five minutes, and emissions that consist only of water vapor, Mirai is leading the world forward toward a more sustainable future.”

The TOYOTA MIRAI was chosen from an initial entry list of eight new vehicles from all over the world, then a short list of three finalists that included the winner as well as the Chevrolet Volt and the Toyota Prius Hybrid.

To be eligible for the 2016 World Green Car award, a vehicle had to be all-new, or substantially revised, in production and introduced for sale or lease to the public in quantities of at least 10 in at least one major market during the period beginning January 1, 2015 and ending May 31, 2016.  Tailpipe emissions, fuel consumption, and use of a major advanced power plant technology (beyond engine componentry), aimed specifically at increasing the vehicle's environmental responsibility, were all taken into consideration.

Vehicles in all award categories are selected and voted on by an international jury panel comprised of 73 top-level automotive journalists from 23 countries around the world.  Each juror was appointed by the World Car Steering Committee on the basis of his or her expertise, experience, credibility, and influence.  Each juror typically drives and evaluates new vehicles on a regular basis as part of their professional work.   Through their respective outlets they collectively reach an audience of many millions world-wide.   The international accounting firm KPMG tabulates the jurors’ ballots.

Previous World Green Car winners were BMW consecutive wins:  BMWi8 (2015) and the BMW i3 (2014), then the Tesla Model S (2013), the Mercedes-Benz S 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY (2012), the Chevrolet Volt (2011), the Volkswagen BlueMotion (2010), the Honda FCX Clarity (2009), the BMW 118d with Efficient Dynamics (2008), the Mercedes-Benz E320 Bluetec (2007) and the Honda Civic Hybrid (2006).

The Road to World Car began in Frankfurt on September 15, was followed by a four and a half day stop in Los Angeles for test-drives of the North American, Japanese and Swedish contenders in November, continued in Geneva with the Top Three in the World announcement, and finally ended today with the declaration of the winners in five categories at the New York International Auto Show.

2016 marks the 10th anniversary of the partnership between World Car and the New York show, and the third consecutive year that the World Car Awards have retained their ranking as the number one automotive awards program in the world in terms of media reach.

The Global Trends Report, co-presented by Prime Research and Autoneum, was presented just before the winners’ press conference.   Autoneum CEO Martin Hirzel said, “The findings of the Global Trends Report show clearly that sound inside the driver cabin has major influence on the overall evaluation of a car. Since decades, we from Autoneum are experts in the field of noise reduction for vehicles. Our lightweight and multifunctional products support the car manufacturers to reduce emission, noise and heat and thereby lead to an enhanced driving comfort for the end-customer. The global need for our products confirms us in further focusing on driving innovation in acoustic and thermal management solutions.”

The World Car Awards media breakfast and winners’ press conference at the New York International Auto Show is presented by Bridgestone Corporation, the world’s largest tire and rubber company.  This is the 8th year Bridgestone has sponsored World Car of the Year. “The future of the auto industry will be built on innovation, performance and sustainability – from automakers and also their suppliers,” said Mike Martini, president, original equipment tire sales, U.S. and Canada, Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations. “Bridgestone invests heavily in research and product development to ensure that we continue to deliver world-class products in collaboration and partnership with automakers around the world.”

As the global nature of the industry continues to strengthen, and the pace of innovation continues to accelerate, World Car is proud to be a part of this amazing journey along with the New York International Auto Show, Prime Research, Bridgestone, Autoneum, KPMG and Newspress.

USA - Thee Visually Challenged Toyota Mirai is well exceeding sales expectations, and that's a pleasant surprise.

 While the Toyota Mirai cannot literally fly, it is flying off the virtual shelf! 

Nearly 1,900 people have raised their hand for a Toyota Mirai, exceeding the expected initial production run of the hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle.  

The Mirai order request portal, which went live just two months ago, is now directing customers to a wait list, as production catches up to this high demand. 

 

Toyota anticipates an allotment of nearly 1,000 model year 2016 Mirai in the U.S.  The existing order requests are being reviewed, and Toyota will begin placing the first trailblazing customers in the Mirai driver’s seat this month.       

 

In January 2015, Toyota announced a Mirai global production capacity increase in an effort to satisfy overwhelming demand in all markets.  Potential Mirai customers can still request the car of the future atwww.toyota.com/mirai.  A wait list will be created for the next Mirai allotment and potential customers contacted when production is available.

USA - Toyota says "Let's Innovate together" with the three wheeled i-Road.

Exclusive Event Highlights Toyota's Collaboration with Silicon Valley to Advance Innovation in Mobility

Do you have an idea how the i-Road, Toyota's three-wheeled electric vehicle, could help change life in the Bay Area?  Then join us at Toyota Onramp 2015 where winning ideas earn cash prizes and the opportunity to collaborate with Toyota.

Toyota Onramp is a one-day conference designed for a select group of innovators, investors and car enthusiasts in Silicon Valley to engage with Toyota and explore the future of driving innovation together. The 2015 event will be held Nov. 13, at AT&T Park in San Francisco.  Features of the event include:

• The Smart Mobility Challenge - A contest inviting competitors to craft a plan on how the Toyota i-Road could enhance life in the Bay Area and address local sustainability and urban planning needs. Winners will have the unique opportunity to collaborate with Toyota on their ideas, in addition to cash prizes of$15,000 for the grand prize winner; $3,000 for second; and $2,000 for third. Judges include Akihiro Yanaka, chief engineer of the Toyota i-Road. The contest is open to all (more details, including submission deadlines.
   
• Test drives of the i-Road and Mirai - Competitors and attendees will have the opportunity to test drive the i-Road as well as the Toyota Mirai, a hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle. This will be the first test-drive opportunity of the three-wheeled, zero CO2 emission i-Road for Toyota Onramp attendees. The Mirai is the world's first hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle for the mass market. Both vehicles represent the most advanced thinking in mobility innovation.
   
• Presentations by industry experts – Toyota Onramp will feature a lineup of speakers that are experts on smart mobility finance, engineering and urban planning. Speakers have been confirmed but will be announced at a later date.

Toyota's visually challenged Mirai fuel cell vehicle arrives in the UK ahead of official September Launch.

First shipment of fuel cell vehicles landed at Portbury. Toyota has taken another step towards a hydrogen-powered future with the arrival of the first Mirai fuel cell vehicles at its import centre at Portbury, near Bristol.

The cars, landed on Saturday, are part of the first consignment to reach Europe, ahead of Mirai's official launch in September.

As part of Toyota's global introduction of the world's first mass-produced fuel cell saloon, the four-door Mirai is being offered in selected European markets - the UK, Germany and Denmark - where a hydrogen fuel supply and retail infrastructure is being developed. 

The limited number available in Britain this year have already been snapped up, principally by business and corporate customers keen to be among the first to explore the potential of Toyota's advanced fuel cell technology and its promise of zero harmful tailpipe emissions.

Karl Schlicht, Executive Vice President Toyota Motor Europe, said: "This marks the debut of a new age for clean mobility, a turning point in the history of the automobile. With Mirai and its fuel cell technology, Toyota is working on delivering clean, safe and enjoyable mobility for the next 100 years. We are looking forward to the start of deliveries of the first Mirai to customers from September and to see the future taking shape on European roads.

"As with Prius 15 years ago, we are proud to bring yet another ground-breaking innovation to the marketplace."

Mirai - the name means "future" in Japanese - is designed to be as convenient to drive as a conventional petrol-powered car. Hydrogen fuel is stored on board in high pressure tanks and used to generate electricity in a chemical reaction with oxygen in a Toyota-designed fuel cell stack. 

The energy produced is used to drive the car, with the only tailpipe emissions being water vapour. Refuelling from empty takes between three and five minutes at the pumps and Mirai has a driving range similar to conventionally powered vehicles.

The knowledge and expertise Toyota has gained with its successful development of hybrid power directly contributes to the advanced engineering skills used to create the Toyota Fuel Cell System. By bringing Mirai to world markets, initially in Japan, the USA and Europe, Toyota aims to build awareness, understanding and acceptance of fuel cell technology and promote the development of the hydrogen fuel production and retail infrastructure this new generation of vehicles requires. 

The experiences of the first customers to drive Mirai will also be valuable in helping Toyota further refine and develop the technology.

Toyota Mirai Hydrogen Fuel cell car goes the distance, achieving an amazing 67 USMPG.

Hydrogen fuel cell saloon sets record driving range for any zero-emissions car on the market

The new Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell vehicle has proved it can go the distance, achieving  67 miles per gallon in official US combined city/highway driving calculations, and an estimated driving range of 312 miles on a single tank – a distance further than for any other zero-emissions car on the market.

Jim Lentz, Toyota North America CEO, announced the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) fuel economy rating for Mirai at the Aspen Ideas Festival in Colorado this week. It confirms that Mirai is the only zero emissions electric vehicle on the market capable of exceeding 300 miles on one fill.

Lenz said: “Toyota realised in the early 90s that electrification was key to the future of the automobile. Just as Prius introduced hybrid-electric vehicles to millions of customers nearly 20 years ago, Mirai is now poised to usher in a new era of efficient, hydrogen transportation.”

Mirai is the world’s first mass-produced hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle, a four-door saloon with performance that competes with traditional internal combustion engines. Instead of using petrol, Mirai runs on electricity created on demand by hydrogen fuel and oxygen. The only emission produced by this process is water vapour.

Toyota will introduce Mirai in limited numbers in the UK and other selected European markets later this year, following its launch in Japan and, from this summer, California.

USA SALES APRIL - TOYOTA/LEXUS - The US #1 brand edges further ahead with growth on both brands.

• Toyota division was no 1 brand in April
• RAV4 and Highlander post double-digit gains
• Lexus up nearly 12 percent 

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., has reported April 2015 sales of 203,329 units, an increase of 1.8 percent from April 2014 on a volume basis.  With the same amount of selling days in April 2015 and April 2014, sales were up 1.8 percent on a daily selling rate (DSR) basis. 

Toyota division posted April 2015 sales of 177,453 units, up 0.5 percent on a volume basis and 0.5 percent on a DSR basis. 

  

“Light truck sales have carried the auto industry to its best start in 15 years,” said Bill Fay, Toyota division group vice president and general manager. “The demand for crossover SUVs is off the charts and both the RAV4 and Highlander set April records.”

Lexus posted sales of 25,876 units, up 11.7 percent from April 2014 on a volume basis and 11.7 percent on a DSR basis. 

“Lexus is off to its best start ever,” said Jeff Bracken, Lexus group vice president and general manager.  “We’re bullish on the industry as we head into the summer selling season and that goes double for the luxury segment.”

April 2015 Highlights:

• Camry is volume leader with sales of 34,066 units
• Corolla up over 10 percent
• Toyota Light trucks up 8 percent
• RAV4 up almost 22 percent; posted sales of 22,914 units
• 4Runner up 18 percent
• Tacoma up 12.9 percent
• Tundra up 4.5 percent, posted sales of 10,681 units
• Lexus luxury utility vehicles up 23.5 percent
• NX posted sales of 3,421 units
• GX up 19 percent

*Note:  Unless otherwise stated, all figures reflect unadjusted raw sales volume