As soon as upon a time, Toyota dominated the native individuals mover market with its Tarago. These days are lengthy gone, however the firm has no plans to introduce new fashions to try to regain that crown.
Sean Hanley, Toyota Australia’s vp of gross sales and advertising, stated there aren’t any plans at this level to introduce the newest era of Alphard and Vellfire individuals mover to Australia, regardless of these automobiles having proved in style as gray imports.
As an alternative, Toyota is committing to the gargantuan Granvia.
“We’re fairly pleased with the way in which Granvia is promoting within the Australian market, and we now have no plans to broaden on that automobile,” stated Mr Hanley.
“I’ll give our luxurious model Lexus an excellent promotion right here. Lexus has introduced within the LM, which I imagine unbelievably getting robust pickup and demand in the marketplace… It gives what I imagine a individuals mover wants to supply within the Australian market.
“However on the Toyota facet, Granvia is doing properly.”
Toyota bought simply 112 examples in 2013, down 28.2 per cent. LDV bought greater than 4 occasions as many MIFAs, Hyundai bought round 10 occasions as many Starias, and Kia bought greater than 100 occasions as many Carnivals.
It has the next base value than any of these, opening at $68,306 earlier than on-road prices, and but the even pricier Mercedes-Benz V-Class outsold it with 377 items.
It’s a far cry from the Tarago, which Toyota constantly bought roughly 900-1000 items of yearly between 2012 and 2017. It was axed in 2019.
The long-running front-wheel drive individuals mover was not directly changed by the rear-wheel drive, HiAce-derived Granvia.
The Granvia is significantly bigger than the Tarago, measuring 5300mm lengthy and 1970mm broad on a 3210mm wheelbase – up 505mm, 170mm and 260mm, respectively.
However whereas the Tarago and its Japanese-market Estima sibling are useless, Toyota has a brand new era of Alphard and Vellfire in Japan that – in contrast to the North American-market Sienna – are inbuilt right-hand drive.
Moreover, the Alphard and Vellfire – carefully associated to the Lexus LM lately launched in Australia – are supplied with hybrid energy, in contrast to the diesel-only Granvia.
Underpinning the fourth-generation Toyota Alphard and Vellfire is the TNGA-Ok unibody structure, which underpins a variety of automobiles together with the Toyota Camry, Kluger (Highlander) and RAV4, in addition to the Lexus ES, NX and RX.
Meaning each front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive variations can be found in Japan, together with a variety of four-cylinder powertrains comprising 2.5-litre petrol, 2.5-litre hybrid and a pair of.4-litre turbocharged hybrid choices, relying on the variant.
Solely the Vellfire gives the turbo-hybrid powertrain, befitting its sportier positioning.
Toyota has additionally confirmed it plans to supply plug-in hybrid variations of the Alphard/Vellfire in future.
New options within the duo embody a brand new ‘Tremendous-Lengthy Overhead Console’ by means of the centre of the ceiling, which homes varied issues like air-conditioning vents, lighting and various switchgear.
Beforehand, these have been situated alongside either side of the ceiling – Toyota claims this improves “comfort and operability”, and in addition permits occupants in any seat to open home windows and alter lighting on the other facet of the automobile’s inside.
Toyota has additionally centered on improved accessibility, with the Alphard and Vellfire changing into the primary fashions within the model’s line-up to function ‘Common Steps’ on either side of the automobile, which the corporate says makes it simpler for young children and the aged to enter and exit the cabin.
The steps emerge roughly 220mm above floor degree when the doorways are open, which lowers the peak of step one for passengers getting into and exiting the automobile. Lengthy grip handles are situated on the C-pillars for added comfort.
Whereas the Alphard is primarily produced for the Japanese market, it has additionally been bought in varied different Asian markets like China, in addition to Russia and the Center East.
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