News And Events

Canada Science and Technology Museum

What makes a car "Canadian"? Visitors to the Canada Science and Technology Museum in Ottawa will have the opportunity to consider that question as part of a five-year exhibit launching in June 2010, presented by Toyota Canada Inc. (TCI)

Car enthusiasts will experience the rich history of the Canadian automotive industry through the "In Search of the Canadian Car" exhibition. Visitors will better understand Canada's automotive industrial achievements in this interactive and unique exhibit. Among the Museum's rich collection of vintage automobiles will be the very first 1989 Toyota Corolla that was built and sold in Canada and a first generation 1998 Prius hybrid.

Sharing Canada's rich collections of objects related to transportation, natural resources, communications, space, energy, manufacturing and industry, the Canada Science and Technology Museum is a National Institution that helps Canadians explore the rich connections between science, technology, and culture. For more information, please visit sciencetech.technomuses.ca or call 613-991-3044.

Source: www.toyota.ca - News & Events (July 2010)

TOYOTA EARNS TOP HONOURS IN J.D. POWER AND ASSOCIATES 2010 IQS

TORONTO, ON June 17, 2010 J.D. Power today announced that Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada Inc. (TMMC) has earned a Gold Plant Quality Award for the North and South American region in the 2010 J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study (IQS).

"The Gold Plant Quality award is important because it represents the voice of the customer," said Ray Tanguay, President of TMMC. "For our more than 6,500 Team Members, it is a much appreciated recognition of their craftsmanship, commitment and attention to detail. We're honoured to be recognized as one of the greatest manufacturing teams in the world."

Toyota and Lexus brands were also awarded a combined five segment awards in the 2010 J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study (IQS).

"The J.D. Power and Associates IQS 90-day feedback, along with strong resale values, long-term durability, warranty claims and customer loyalty, are strong indicators of the overall quality of our products," said Yoichi Tomihara, President and CEO of Toyota Canada Inc. "We are pleased with the strong performance of our vehicles, despite recent Toyota and Lexus recalls which we expected would influence specific vehicle rankings. We remain committed to ensuring the superior quality, safety and long-term value of our cars and trucks"

The Scion xB, coming to Canada this September, was also recognized with the highest ranking in the Compact Multipurpose Vehicle segment.

Lexus Ties for Most Segment Awards of Any Nameplate Lexus ranked fourth among all nameplates in the 2010 IQS with 88 problems per 100 vehicles (PP100). Among individual models, the Lexus LS earned the distinction of fewest quality problems in the industry, with just 55 PP100.

Lexus also captured three segment awards to tie for the most awards of any nameplate in this year's study. These include the Lexus GS for Midsize Premium Car, the Lexus GX 460 for Midsize Premium Crossover/SUV; and the Lexus LS 460 for Large Premium Car. This is the third year in a row that the LS had ranked highest in its segment and the 10th time in 13 years that the LS has been at the top of its segment.

Toyota Receives Two Segment Awards Reflecting heightened customer awareness of Toyota's recent recalls, the Toyota nameplate PP100 increased in this year's study by 16 PP100 to 117 PP100 resulting in a ranking of 21.

At the same time, the FJ Cruiser received the segment award for the Compact Crossover/SUV, while the Sienna ranks highest in the Midsize Van segment for the second year in row.

With the exception of the Highlander, all of the vehicles involved in the company's recent recalls experienced an increase in reported issues, while those not involved in the recalls, taken together, showed an overall improvement over 2009.

Toyota Segment Awards Chart

Model IQS Segment Problems per 100

Lexus LS 460 Large Premium Car 55
Lexus GS Midsize Premium Car 75
Toyota FJ Cruiser Compact Crossover/SUV 83
Lexus GX 460 Midsize Premium Crossover/SUV 84
Toyota Sienna Midsize Van 102
Scion xB Compact Multipurpose Vehicle 108


Production Facilities Earn Top Honours In addition to the TMMC Gold Plant Award for the North and South American region with 30 PP100, two other Toyota production facilities also took top honours for the Asia Pacific region including: The Kyushu 2 plant (IS line, ES 350, RX line) earned the Gold Award with 32 PP100 The Tahara 3 plant (GS line, IS sedans, LS 460) earned the Silver Award with 33 PP100

Source: media.toyota.ca (June 2010)

2010 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER AND VENZA EARN INSURANCE INSTITUTE FOR HIGHWAY SAFETY "TOP SAFETY PICK"

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has announced that the 2010 Highlander and Venza have each earned "Top Safety Pick" status.

The "Top Safety Pick" is the highest safety designation awarded by the IIHS. To qualify for the award, a vehicle must earn the highest rating of "good" in the IIHS' front, side, rollover, and rear impact tests and be equipped with electronic stability control. The IIHS testing was made more stringent in 2010 with the addition of the rollover test.

To earn a "good" rollover rating, a roof must be able to support the equivalent of four times the vehicle's weight compared with the current federal standard of 1.5. In the IIHS testing, the Highlander roof withstood a force equal to 4.74 times its vehicle weight. The Venza's roof withstood 4.70 times its vehicle weight.

The IIHS is an independent non-profit research and communications organization funded by auto insurance companies.

All Toyota models meet or exceed the safety requirements in North America.

Note: All testing performed on US specification models

Source: www.toyota.ca - News & Events (June 2010)

TOYOTA CANADA'S TOP 10 ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP FACTS

We thought we'd take a page out of David Letterman's book in honour of Earth Day, and take stock of how we're living up to our environmental commitments with our very own Top 10 list. Our focus on innovation and technology to shape the future of sustainable mobility continues to be a pillar of our organization. Here's a list of Top 10 Environmental Leadership facts and figures about Toyota:

1. In 2009, Toyota and Lexus introduced 11 new products that deliver on the promise of making things better for our customers and the environment. In 2010, Toyota and Lexus have already each introduced a new more fuel efficient model to their respective vehicle line-ups.

2. As of 2009, and each year moving forward during their life cycle, Toyota vehicles save a minimum 7.5 million litres of fuel and 18,000 tonnes of C02 emissions through the use of hybrid technology, improved engine and transmission efficiency, smaller engines and 2-wheel drive options.

3. The Lexus RX 450h - with unsurpassed hybrid power, performance and luxury - produces 295 total system horsepower with the same fuel consumption as the 1.8L Corolla.

4. Toyota Prius and Yaris were named 2010 ecoENERGY award winners by Natural Resources Canada's Office of Energy Efficiency for the 10th and 5th straight years respectively for continuing to set the benchmark for fuel efficiency in their categories.

5. 2010 Toyota Prius received the MotorWeek Drivers' Choice Award for "Best Eco-Friendly Vehicle".

6. Not only are we committed to raising the bar in terms of sustainable mobility for consumers, we're also applying these principles to the manufacturing side of our business. For example our Japanese Tsutsumi plant's extensive use of solar power provides half the electrical energy required to operate the site - one of many ways the plant reduces its carbon footprint.

7. Since Toyota introduced hybrid vehicles in 1997 (in Japan; 2000 in Canada), we have sold over 2 million hybrid vehicles worldwide, more than 47,000 of which have been sold in Canada.

8. This year, we have introduced the production model of the Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid vehicle. Five of these vehicles are part of the first Canadian program - to test the all-new Prius Plug-In Hybrid under real-world operating and climate conditions are part of Toyota's global trial.

9. Lexus remains the world's first and most extensive line-up of luxury hybrid vehicles.

And the Number 1 Environmental Leadership facts and figures about Toyota...

Looking ahead, Toyota's strategy is to offer a wider variety of conventional hybrid choices to its customers, as it begins to introduce plug-in hybrids (PHVs) and battery electrics (BEVs) in model year 2012, and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCHVs) in 2015 in global markets.

Source: media.toyota.ca. April 2010.

TOYOTA AND LEXUS TAKE TOP HONOURS IN SEVEN CATEGORIES IN CANADIAN BLACK BOOK'S FIFTH ANNUAL BEST RETAINED VALUE AWARDS

Canadian Black Book (CBB) has released their fifth annual Retained Value Awards, and Toyota and Lexus models have taken the top spot in 7 categories, confirming the trusted quality, reliability and exceptionally high retained value of these vehicles.

The 2010 CBB Retained Value Award Toyota and Lexus winners were named in the following categories:

- Sub-compact: Toyota Yaris

- Full-size car: Toyota Avalon

- Entry luxury car: Lexus IS Series

- Compact SUV: Toyota RAV4

- Full-size SUV: Toyota Sequoia (tie)

-Small pick-up: Toyota Tacoma

-Large pick-up: Toyota Tundra

"Given Toyota's recent media attention this outcome may be a surprise to some. So far their values remain stable and that is a strong indicator of the public's trust in Toyota the brand," remarked Larry Shred, executive vice president of Canadian Black Book. "What the public wants is value for their money, and these are some of the top companies deliverying high value," continued Mr. Shred.

"We are proud that so many Toyota and Lexus vehicles continue to be recognized for their value, offering an excellent choice to Canadian drivers," said Warren Orton, Director at Toyota Canada Inc. "We thank Canadian Black Book for awarding top honours to seven Toyota and Lexus models in this year's 2010 CBB Retained Value Awards."

This year the award examines 2006 models, and winners have been chosen in 17 segments. The awards are determined from actual value retained from MSRP, measured over a 4 year period.

CBB initiated the awards to help consumers identify which vehicles retain the highest percentage of their original value. Although strong retained value performance is not a guarantee of future strength, it is a strong indicator for how a vehicle should perform in the future. For the consumer, selecting a vehicle with a lower depreciation rate will reduce their overall cost-of-ownership.

Source: www.toyota.ca - News & Events (March 2010)

TOYOTA REVEALS THE REDESIGNED 2011 AVALON

Toyota introduced the boldly redesigned 2011 Avalon at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show. Evoking a time when travel was sophisticated, elegant and comfortable, the new Avalon possesses a distinctive new exterior style while offering a restyled interior rich with premium touch points and practical new technologies.

"Discerning drivers know that the Avalon is a symbol of fine craftsmanship, and has long been sough after for its well-appointed materials and spacious cabin," said Warren Orton, Director at Toyota Canada. "The new 2011 model adds even more style and features that elevate the driving experience."

In addition to its mor substantial look and expressive new lines, infusion of comfort and safety advancements, the 2011 enriches the driving experience with a trove of upgraded equipment and technology, including:

- 660-watt JBL premium synthesis audio system - 12-speakers and a 12-channel digital amplifier -Audio music streaming - XM satellite radio (subscription required) - USB and 1/8-inch auxiliary connections for audio devices - Bluetooth hands free phone capability - Touch-screen navigation system with real-time traffic - State-of-the-art projector style headlamps - Energy efficient LED tail lights

The 2011 Avalon is powered by a 24-valve, double-overhead cam 3.5 liter V6 engine that produces 268 horsepower at 6,200 rpm. The engine is equipped with the latest dual VVT-i electronic valve-control mechanism that provides a broader powerband, while requiring less fuel and generating fewer emissions. It is mated to a multi-mode six-speed automatic transmission.

The redesigned 2011 Avalon will begin arriving at Toyota dealerships in March 2010.

Source: www.toyota.ca - News & Events (February 2010)

Toyota's Lost Its Quality Edge? Not So Fast

A longtime observer of Toyota's factories contends there's little evidence that the company's overall standards are slipping

Source: businessweek.com January 28, 2010
Written by: Jeffrey Liker

I have been visiting, studying, and analyzing Toyota for 25 years in Japan, the U.S., Europe, and other countries. I have written six books about Toyota (TM) and many articles, and my students have written PhD dissertations about various aspects of the company. One of my PhD students just successfully defended a thesis on how most of the auto manufacturers, including Toyota, work with their suppliers. His data show Toyota is head and shoulders the best customer to work with on the technical details of designing, prototyping, and testing brakes.

Before all of the recent negative news about unintended acceleration, recalls of millions of vehicles, and a shutdown of U.S. production, I was working on a book extolling the virtues of this great company, which was using the recession to retain employees, not lay them off, and teach them kaizen (the Japanese philosophy of continuous improvement).

So what happened that is causing the media to write off 60 years of progress in a company that has become a model of operational excellence? It seems to me that the inferences about Toyota's quality problems are emotional and have little to do with actual facts.

Those facts are:

-Carpets that are not clipped down, particularly all-weather rubber carpets sold by dealers, can slide around and jam the gas pedal. This can be a problem in every car, that is why they have clips on the driver's side to hold the carpet in place. If you clip down your carpet, it is perfectly safe. In Toyota's case, there was one documented car crash killing four people, involving a Lexus that a dealer gave out as a loaner car. The dealer threw in an all-weather carpet without fastening it down. It trapped the pedal. The driver got into an accident and the car caught fire. The rubber mat was fused to the pedal, so it was clear what had happened.

Toyota has an extraordinary response to this incident of carpets, including cutting the size of the gas pedal for existing cars and then designing a software fix that will cause pressure on the brake to override the gas pedal and cut off the gas. It is a sophisticated piece of software that is embedded in a computer chip in the engine and has to be programmed differently for different car models and engines. All that is highly time-consuming, and it will take a while to get it into all Toyota cars.

-Sticky pedals. Apparently this is caused by an interaction between the material of one part of the pedal, as made in one plant by CTS, an automotive supplier, and humidity and wear of a part over time. It is a metal part called a shift lever. CTS uses a different material than Denso, Toyota's other supplier of gas pedals. This is a rare problem in terms of number of problems per one million vehicles but Toyota dealers documented cases of sticky pedals. If you push down the brake firmly, the brake will work fine at slowing down and stopping the car. Apparently pedal wear can also cause problems like this in other cars, but Toyota had a series of reported cases by its customers.

Toyota has a replacement pedal in production at CTS already and has suspended U.S. production of eight models until the new pedals are ready. It still needs to find a fix for the millions of cars out on the road. That fix is expected to be days away, not weeks. (Fix was not announced at time of article release on January 28).

These are the two problems that led to the recall of more than 6 million vehicles and the shutdown of some factories. Is it enough to lead some in the media to suggest there's been a significant change in quality for the whole company? To me that seems like a poor generalization. The design decision on the gas pedal was made five to 10 years ago, working with a supplier, and it passed all of the tests at the time. What does that really have to do with the rest of the company today? Signs of Strength

I personally have toured Toyota plants and been in their engineering offices in the past year. Unlike many competitors, Toyota had no involuntary layoffs through the recession and had enough extra people during the slowdown to focus intensely on quality and safety. In some plants, 40% of workers who were not needed for production were paid full-time to relearn its famous production system and attack problems in the plant with a vengeance.

In its Georgetown (Ky.) plant alone, Toyota reduced defects found in final inspection by more than 40%, thanks to the ideas of workers on the line. And this plant, which makes the Camry, was already producing some of the best quality in the country. In 2009, 10 of the coveted JD Power initial quality awards for the best vehicles in a segment went to Toyota or its Lexus unit, more than any other automaker.

I come away in awe every time I visit a Toyota facility. It does not do justice to the hundreds of thousands of people in Toyota engineering and manufacturing and the supply base to leap to conclusions based on such thin evidence. Clearly it's no small thing when a company shutters factories that produce its best-selling products. But it seems to me that the inferences about a wider quality problem at Toyota are not based on actual facts.

Liker is Professor of Industrial and Operations Engineering at the University of Michigan.

Automaker's Canadian unit says it has pedal fix

But when it will start modifying 270,000 recalled cars in Canada is unclear as U.S. approval needed

Source: Toronto Star, January 30, 2010
Article Written by: Tony Van Alphen Business Reporter

Toyota Canada says it has a solution to the problem of sticking accelerator pedals, but it could not confirm Friday when dealers will start recalling about 270,000 vehicles for "modifications" to the pedals.

The company declined to comment on a report that dealers could start getting a key part for installation within two weeks to eliminate the chance of sticking pedals that could increase the risk of a crash.

"We know what the problem is and we know how to fix it," said Toyota spokeswoman Sandy DiFelice. "We will advise shortly when repairs will begin."

Quoting people familiar with plans by parent Toyota Motor Corp., the Wall Street Journal said the company is seeking approval from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for a "selective spacer," or shim, to insert into the pedal assembly in eight models under a recall in the United States.

If Toyota gets approval, part production by supplier CTS Corp. could start next week and dealers would receive it before the middle of February, according to the report. CTS operates a plant in Mississauga that made the pedal which led to the recall of 2.3 million vehicles in the U.S. and 270,000 in Canada.

The part would increase the tension in an internal spring and prevent the accelerator pedal from remaining in a depressed position. CTS indicated earlier that it believes condensation inside the pedal caused friction and the sticking effect.

Toyota announced the recall last week. On Tuesday the company took the unprecedented step of temporarily stopping factory production and dealer sales of eight models.

The move will halt output of the eight models at six North American assembly plants, including three vehicles the company builds in Cambridge and Woodstock, for one week beginning Monday. The recall involves the Corolla, Camry, Avalon, Matrix, RAV4, Tundra, Highlander and Sequoia models.

The recall has caused concern among Toyota owners but DiFelice said drivers should feel safe.

"The throttle is never fully open and the customer can always brake under this rare condition of a sticking pedal," she said.

DiFelice noted that customers who have concerns can go to their dealerships for an inspection, visit the Toyota website, Toyota.ca, or call the company's toll-free number 1-888-869-6828 for help. When it sends recall letters soon, the company will offer the modification to all owners of the models.

Indiana-based CTS said this week it completed testing on newly designed pedals to meet Toyota's "tougher specifications" and began delivering them to company plants. Toyota would not comment on whether parts going to factories are the same as dealers will receive.

Toyota still tough to beat for quality

Despite massive recall, analysts say Japanese automaker always ranks near top for dependability

Source: The Toronto Star, Sat Jan 30 2010
Article Written by: Tony Van Alphen, Business Reporter

Toyota Motor Corp. has hit a bump in quality and reliability because of concerns about possible sticking accelerator pedals, but analysts say it remains at the front of the pack in the auto industry.

Dave Sargent, vice-president of automotive research at J.D. Power and Associates, said Friday the company's strong international growth in recent years has resulted in more problems.

"Their resources have been stretched more than ever than in the past because they are trying to provide vehicles in every segment in virtually every country," Sargent said in an interview.

"Because of that, there are more opportunities for something to go wrong. However, they are still a leader in quality and dependability."

Despite the growing pains and significant improvements by rivals, Toyota has retained its position at or near the top of J.D. Power's annual rankings for auto dependability in recent years.

The latest 2009 study, which measures problems that original owners experience with three-year-old models, showed Toyota had the highest ranking among mainstream brands, with only three luxury brands ahead of it ? and one was Toyota's own luxury brand, Lexus.

In its annual initial-quality study, J.D. Power, a prominent research agency, found last year that among mainstream brands, only Hyundai and Honda posted fewer defects than Toyota in the first 90 days of ownership.

"What has happened recently is not necessarily representative of the underlying quality of Toyota vehicles," said Sargent.

U.S.-based Consumer Reports concluded in its annual survey last year that Honda, Subaru and Toyota build the best vehicles, after taking performance, reliability, fuel economy and comfort into account during testing of about 300 models.

Among North American-based automakers, Consumer Reports said Ford continues to improve in reliability and some of its cars now rival the best from Japan.

In the aftermath of recent recalls over pedals and floor mats, critics have hammered Toyota with charges of declining quality, but studies show the company continued to reduce the number of defects while remaining on top during the past decade.

Some analysts argue that the high level of quality from Toyota and other Japanese-based automakers is one reason everyone in the industry now makes much better vehicles, as competitive pressures have increased.

Analyst Chris Travell said this week that, despite Toyota's current "challenging times," the company has shown an ability to bounce back.

"In the best tradition of kaizen (the Japanese strategy of continuous improvement), I suspect they will learn from this, improve the process and go on," said Travell, vice-president of the automotive research practice at Maritz Research.

"This has been their heritage and I have little doubt that they will come through this the better for it. I am not convinced that this will hurt the brand long-term.

"There's too much history there as it relates to quality and reliability. In the industry we make a big thing of it, but I'm not convinced it will cause someone to reject the brand in the long term."

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW IF YOUR CAR IS UNDER RECALL

No matter what you drive, you should know about them

Source: Toronto Star, January 30, 2010
Article Written by: Jil McIntosh

Vehicle safety recalls have been making headlines recently, mostly because of the large one affecting Toyota, announced this week. But no matter what you drive, you should know about recalls ? how they work, what they cover, and just as importantly, what they don't.

Safety-related recalls are considered those likely to affect the safe operation of a vehicle, a tire or a child restraint without any prior warning. This includes component failures that could cause fires or loss of control, or airbags that deploy when they shouldn't. Not covered are non-safety items: squeaks and rattles, ordinary wear and tear, non-structural rust, cosmetic blemishes, air conditioners or radios that don't work, and airbags that didn't go off in low-severity, non-injury collisions.

Once a recall is issued, you should receive a notice in the mail. You can also call a dealer or the manufacturer to see if your vehicle is affected. You'll need the vehicle information number, or VIN, the 17-digit number found on your ownership, or on a plate on the dash visible through the driver's side of the windshield. Have it handy before you call.

While it can be scary to hear about a recall, it's likely that your car is fine, and it's being done as a precaution. The manufacturer has identified a group of vehicles that might have a problem, or could develop that specific problem in the future, and is inspecting or repairing all potentially affected vehicles to be sure. And not all recalls are for major problems: several have been issued for cars carrying warning labels written only in English, when bilingual labels are required by law.

If you do get a recall notice, make an appointment with a dealer for the vehicle brand. In many cases, the vehicle is inspected first, and is only repaired if it's found to contain the parts that could be at fault. If the recall specifies this, and your car doesn't have the problem, don't expect the parts to be replaced anyway. If replacement is necessary and a large number of vehicles are involved, you may have to wait for the new parts to be built and then distributed to dealers.

It's also common for only specific vehicles to be affected ? they might have received a bad batch of parts, or were built before an assembly problem was detected and fixed at the factory. Because of this, it's entirely possible that your neighbour could own exactly the same year and model as your vehicle, but he gets a recall notice, and you don't. Your vehicle's VIN will positively identify it against any recalls.

While recalls cover safety defects, and are registered with Transport Canada, you may also hear about Technical Service Bulletins, or TSBs. These are internal bulletins automakers use to identify symptoms and possible causes and repairs. For example, if your car makes a specific noise when you start it, the TSB tells the technician what component to check first. The bulletins are not warranties, and you'll have to pay for the repair if the factory warranty has expired.

Transport Canada maintains an online database of recalls, and you can check to see if your model is covered, although it's likely you'll still have to check your VIN with a dealer or the manufacturer to verify if your specific vehicle is affected. Transport Canada also documents and reviews safety-related complaints from vehicle owners, and may investigate if warranted. To check for recalls or file a complaint, visit www.tinyurl.com/recall-info, or call 1-800-333-0510.

You can stop a car with stuck pedal
Don't panic. Steer and brake, shift into neutral then brake again to stop

Source: The Toronto Star, January 30, 2010
Article Written by: Jim Kenzie, Special to the Star

If the throttle of your car ever did get stuck wide open? Don't panic.

That may be the hardest thing to remember. But your main objective should be not to have a crash.

There are two ways to avoid a crash, any crash: Steer out of the way, or brake.

You can change course by steering much faster than you can brake. So steering should be your first option. Ideally you want to do both, because if you must hit something, hitting it at a lower speed is always a better idea.

Do not shut off the engine. That will kill the power assist to both the brakes and the steering, making it much more difficult to take corrective action.

If the car has an automatic transmission, slam it into neutral. If it's a manual, depress the clutch and, again, select neutral.

This will prevent the car from accelerating any faster and make it easier for the brakes to stop the car.

Yes, the engine will race even faster with the transmission in neutral. But most modern cars have revolution limiters, and the engine won't blow up.

If you have an older car, or a newer car that does not have a rev limiter, blowing up the engine is still preferable to running into a school bus.

Check your rear-view mirrors to get an idea of the surrounding traffic. If you have the time and presence of mind as you apply the brakes, flick on the four-way flashers, look for a place where you can safely pull over, and stop the car.

Then switch off the engine, flick on the four-ways if you haven't already, and take a deep breath. Depending on where you have stopped, you may want to get out of the vehicle to find a safer place to wait for help.

Then call your roadside assistance supplier of choice.

This can all be very frightening, so it's a good idea to simulate this scenario in an empty parking lot. With the car running at a slow speed, practice slipping the transmission lever into neutral, making sure you don't accidentally slam it into reverse, which can be expensive.

A gram of prevention is worth a kilogram of cure.

Jim Kenzie test drives new cars and writes reviews for the Wheels section of the Star.

TOYOTA'S ONTARIO OPERATION TO BOOST RAV4 PRODUCTION IN SPRING 2010

Over 800 to be hired, second shift started

Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada Inc. (TMMC) will add a second shift to build more RAV4s at its Woodstock, Ontario facility in March 2010. TMMC, which also builds the Corolla, Matrix, and the Lexus RX350, will add more than 800 jobs and increase RAV4 production to 150,000 vehicles. Hiring begins this month.

Production of the RAV4 SUV began in November 2008 with one-shift and 1,200 Team Members. Toyota will now build the majority of RAV4s for the North American market in Ontario.

"Thanks to the high demand for this popular vehicle, we are able to increase production in Woodstock," said Ray Tanguay, president of TMMC. "We are very pleased to be able to continue our growth and provide jobs in the local community. This is a vote of confidence in the RAV4 product, the quality of our suppliers and the capability of our Canadian Team Members. In addition, this move demonstrates Toyota's continued commitment to North American production and to building where we sell."

The additional 800 jobs will boost the total TMMC employment to approximately 6,500. TMMC has manufactured vehicles since November 1988 and has the capacity to build 420,000 units annually.

"I would like to congratulate Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada for this latest investment in the Woodstock, Ontario plant," said the Honourable Tony Clement, Federal Minister of Industry. "This is a strong and tangible recognition of our highly skilled workforce, our competitive business environment and that Ontario is the best place in the world to build cars."

Sandra Pupatello, Minister of Economic Development and Trade for Ontario added, "The increase in RAV4 production means the addition of a second shift in Woodstock, the creation of 800 new jobs, more work for the entire supply chain - and most importantly it means that Toyota has confidence in Ontario's workforce and business climate. We applaud the announcement made today by Toyota, and we congratulate the entire team as they continue to contribute to our province's success."

Source: www.toyota.ca. News & Events - December 2009.

PREPARING YOUR VEHICLE FOR WINTER

A little TLC and planning can keep you going for a long way and a long time

By Richard Russell

YOU THINK ABOUT GETTING OUT OF BED on a cold winter morning is tough? Try looking at it from your vehicle's perspective!

After sitting all night filled with fluids that thicken as the temperature drops, its cold-depleted battery still has to provide enough power to move the engine's frigid rotating parts in thick oil, while generating a spark at just the right instant to ignite a precisely-metred mixture of fuel and air. Then you expect a near-instant blast of nice warm air from the vents to warm the windshield and yourself. Talk about high expectations!

If you are nice to your vehicle, it can do all these things, reliably, for a long time. But you have to make some effort too. The key lies in preparation. A little time and effort now may save you a lot of time, grief and money later.

Start with the fluids - have you adhered to the specified oil-change schedule? And made sure to use the proper oil? Is the coolant up to spec? Has it been checked and/or replaced according to Toyota's recommendations? The liquid in your cooling system is a mixture of fluids and additives designed to not only resist freezing in the winter, but to optimize heat transfer as it circulates through the system. To ensure it retains all these critical properties it should be changed at specified intervals, as defined in your maintenance schedule.

The hoses that carry the coolant to/from the engine, the belts that operate various pimps and the caps that keep the fluids in place should also be checked thoroughly. It is also a good time to check the windshield washer container to ensure it is filled with a proper mixture to avoid freezing. And to make sure the washer nozzles haven't become blocked.

How about your wipers? Have they been changed since they scraped across that frost and ice last winter? A new set of winter blades designed to withstand the rigours of the coming season won't just make driving easier, they'll make it safer.

While we are on the topic of rubber - be sure to have the seals around the doors checked and lubricated. This will help prevent moisture from accumulating and doors from being frozen shut. And it will provide an opportunity to see if any have been damaged.

The most common problem for motorists in winter is battery failure. The electric current generated by batteries is the result of a chemical reaction and as the temperature drops so does the rate of this reaction. Make sure the battery connections are tight and free of corrosion. Batteries do have a finite life, so it's a good idea to have its output checked before winter to make sure it won't let you down.

The ability of your vehicle to steer, stop and go is entirely dependent on the tires. When you install winter tires, don't wait until that first snowfall or depend on old tires - have a set of new winter tires installed in advance. That also provides an opportunity to have a technician check the brakes to make sure they are equalized and working properly. While under the vehicle the technician can also check for any exhaust leaks that could allow carbon monoxide to enter the interior.

A little TLC and preparation can keep you going for a long way and a long time and it's especially important when you're facing a Canadian winter.

Source: Club Toyota Magazine - Fall/Winter 2009 pg. 42-43

DO YOU TWEET? TOYOTA DOES

A Tweet is a message sent via the Internet using Twitter. And if you haven't heard about Twitter yet, you soon will. It's the latest social networking craze to hit the Internet - a microblogging platform designed for people to answer the question, "What are you doing today?" in 140 characters or less.

Toyota Canada embraced Twitter (www.twitter.com/toyotacanada) for the purpose of developing stronger relationships through a two-way conversation with customers, enthusiasts and innovators. Toyota Canada posts real time 'tweets' about Toyota, Lexus and Scion products, marketing events and social responsibility, environment, innovation and technology updates.

"We want to foster Toyota enthusiasts," says Sandy Di Felice, Director of External Affairs for Toyota Canada. "Through meaningful engagement with followers, we build an understanding of the value, quality, safety and community outreach that is Toyota in Canada.

For the same purpose, in March, Toyota launched a YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/toyotacanada123). Toyota also expects to appear on Facebook, Flickr and other social media platforms in the near future.

You can keep up with the latest happenings at Toyota Canada or use Twitter as a tool to communicate with the company. To read Toyota Canada updates, visit www.twitter.com/toyotacanada or sign up at www.twitter.com, search Toyota Canada and follow for free.

Have something to ask Toyota? Put @toyotacanada ahead of your question to make sure it gets to the right place. Like something we say? Re-tweet it by putting RT in front of your post of the message.

Happy Tweeting! Club Toyota Magazine - Fall/Winter 2009 pg. 6

CANADIANS CAN DOUBLE THEIR RBC REWARDS BY USING THEM TOWARD A NEW TOYOTA VEHICLE

Toyota Canada is making it even easier for RBC Rewards members to get into a new Toyota car or truck. For a limited time only, when members redeem their RBC Rewards points for Toyota gift certificates and apply them toward the purchase, lease or finance of a new Toyota vehicle, Toyota Canada will match the amount - up to $500.

"Since Toyota teamed up with RBC Rewards in 2007, thousands of Canadian Toyota drivers have redeemed RBC Rewards points for Toyota gift certificates which have been used for everything from oil changes to new vehicle purchases," noted Stephen Beatty, Managing Director at Toyota Canada Inc. "With this limited time offer, Canadians using Toyota gift certificates redeemed from RBC Rewards points for a new Toyota vehicle purchase, lease or finance will enjoy two for one value as Toyota matches, dollar for dollar, their RBC Rewards Toyota gift certificate value.

Toyota Canada's matching up to $500 in Toyota gift certificates doubles the amount an RBC Rewards member has available to help fund their new vehicle. RBC Rewards members should redeem early for their Toyota gift certificates, as this promotion only remains in effect until March 1, 2010.

"Canadians turn to Toyota, month after month, for safe, high quality, dependable cars, trucks and SUVs that offer more power with less fuel than ever before, combined with compelling offers that make it easy to add a new Toyota to their lives," Beatty added. "This new offer is the latest example of how Toyota is committed to creating vehicles and marketing programs that deliver more to customers."

www.toyota.ca - News & Events (November 2009)

TOYOTA TAKES SIX GOLDS IN THE CARGUIDE DRIVER'S CHOICE AWARDS

The drivers have spoken. On the heels of the Automotive Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) category win with the Lexus RX 450h (as Best New SUV/CUV over $60k), Toyota has scored six Golds in the first-ever Carguide Driver's Choice Awards. What makes these awards doubly satisfying is that they are the result of a nationwide online poll of Canadian drivers, held in July.

In the inaugural year of what Carguide Magazine says is to become an annual survey, Toyota came away with Gold Awards in six categories: from subcompacts to full-size pickup trucks and SUVs. And the list of Toyota winners is:

- Toyota Corolla - Economy Car

- Toyota Camry - Family Car

- Toyota Venza - SUV/CUV under $40,000

-Toyota Sequoia - SUV/CUV over $40,000

-Toyota Tundra - Pickup Truck

-Toyota Prius - Hybrid

For the full results of the Carguide Driver's Choice Awards, check out the Fall Edition of Carguide Magazine.

Source: www.toyota.ca - News & Events

THE ALL-NEW 2010 TOYOTA 4RUNNER: INNOVATION BUILT UPON HERITAGE

With the 2010 4Runner unveiled at the Barrie, Ontario, Georgian College Auto Show, North America's largest outdoor exhibit of its kind, Toyota continues to build on the tradition started in 1984, marking the launch of the first Toyota 4Runner sport utility vehicle (SUV). That first 4Runner was based on the mechanics of the four-wheel-drive Toyota pickup truck, and combined versatility and go-anywhere ability with comfort and utility. Twenty-five years and four generations later, the 4Runner remains close to its roots while at the same time introducing innovative features and technologies, a combination that has seen more than 100,000 Canadians invest in a 4Runner.

With the same starting price as the 2009 model it replaces, the all-new fifth-generation has been redesigned inside and out to be even more rugged and athletic. It delivers more power and better fuel efficiency, and is packed with more safety features and technologies for drivers in search of a confident, capable and authentic SUV. With a standard V6 engine featuring 270 hp, it offers 34 more horsepower and a five per cent improvement in fuel efficiency compared to the previous V6 engine. Moreover, the new V6 outpowers even the previous generation V8 engine by 10 horsepower, and matches its 5,000 lb (2268 kg) towing capacity. New technologies including Crawl Control and Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS) support off-road adventure.

"4Runner drivers continue to embrace its proven heritage of power, performance and passion that is built upon over 70 years of Toyota truck heritage worldwide," said Warren Orton, Director, Toyota Canada Inc. "Expanding upon its body-on-frame design, the 2010 4Runner will appeal to enthusiasts and go-anywhere on and off road drivers."

Among the 2010 4Runner's features and improvements are:

- taller, wider, longer and more spacious

- offered in one well-equipped V6 SR5 base model with four option packages:

- the Upgrade package

- the Trail Edition for those who require maximum off-road capability

- the top-of-the-line Limited with Navigation package

- a more powerful, more fuel efficient 4.0-litre V6 mated to a five-speed Super ECT-i automatic transmission

- exterior styling emphasizing a more rugged, powerful stance

- full-time, four-wheel drive

- A-TRAC, Downhill Assist Control (DAC) and Hill-Start Assist Control (HAC) as standard equipment

- state-of-the-art safety systems including eight standard airbags

- completely redesigned larger interior with newly sculpted front seat-back shape for second-row passenger comfort

- re-engineered cargo area

- "party mode" audio for tailgating

"With its heritage for performance and versatility, the all-new 4Runner will not disappoint current enthusiasts nor prospective SUV buyers," said Orton. "When it arrives later this fall, the 4Runner will offer a balance of power, efficiency and off-road ready fun for drivers young and young-at-heart."

The 2010 Toyota 4Runner will start at $36,800, the same starting price as the 2009 model it replaces. It will go on sale across Canada later this fall.

Source: www.toyota.ca - News & Events. October 2009.

2010 PRIUS PLUG-IN HYBRID DEBUTS AT FRANKFURT MOTOR SHOW

Toyota takes another step forward in hybrid technology with the introduction of the 2010 Prius Plug-in Hybrid (PHV) Concept vehicle, unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show.

Based on the third-generation Prius, the PHV Concept expands Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive technology. Making use of first generation lithium-ion battery technology, the PHV allows electric operation at higher speeds and longer distances than conventional hybrids. When fully charged (and that takes about 90 minutes through a standard electrical outlet), the vehicle can reach an electric-only range of approximately 20 km and achieve highway speeds in electric-only mode. For longer distances, the PHV concept reverts the "hybrid mode" and operates like a regular Prius.

"This is an important next step in the world's evolution of hybrid technology," said Stephen Beatty, Managing Director, Toyota Canada Inc.

Beginning in late 2009, Toyota will ship out a test fleet of 500 Prius PHV vehicles across the world. This program will let Toyota better understand customer expectations for plug-in technology. As well, the program will serve to evaluate the first generation lithium-ion battery's durability, reliability and performance.

"Our goal is not to be first in the market with this technology; it is to ensure that it is the best technology for our customers," said Beatty. "This demonstration program will allow real world experience to create a vehicle that will be accepted and embraced by real drivers."

Source: www.toyota.ca - News & Events

REAL-TIME CONTROL OF WHEELCHAIRS WITH BRAIN WAVES

A new signal processing technology for brain machine interface (BMI) application

Major advantages of the new technology:

- Commands for smooth left and right turns and forward motion of the wheelchair are processed every 125 milliseconds by analyzing brain waves using signal processing technology.

- Brain-wave analysis data are displayed on a screen in real time, giving neuro-feedback to the driver for efficient operation.

- This technology is expected to be useful in the field of rehabilitation, and for physical and psychological support of wheelchair drivers.

The BSI-TOYOTA Collaboration Center (BTCC; Hidenori Kimura, Director), has succeeded in developing a system which utilizes one of the fastest technologies in the world, controlling a wheelchair using brain waves in as little as 125 milliseconds (one millisecond, or ms, is equal to 1/1000 seconds). BTCC was established in 2007 by RIKEN, an independent administrative institution (Ryoji Noyori, President), as a collaborative project with Toyota Motor Corporation (Akio Toyoda, President), Toyota Central R&D Labs, Inc. (Takashi Saito, President), and Genesis Research Institute, Inc. (Kiyoshi Nakanishi, Representative Director of Research). Also collaborating in the research were Andrzej Cichocki, Unit Leader, and Kyuwan Choi, Research Scientist, of BTCC's Noninvasive BMI Unit.

Recently technological developments in the area of brain machine interface (BMI) have received much attention. Such systems allow elderly or handicapped people to interact with the world through signals from their brains, without having to give voice commands.

BTCC's new system fuses RIKEN's blind signal separation(1) and space-time-frequency filtering(2) technology to allow brain-wave analysis in as little as 125 ms, as compared to several seconds required by conventional methods. Brain-wave analysis results are displayed on a panel so quickly that drivers to not sense any delay. The system has the capacity to adjust itself to the characteristics of each individual driver, and thereby is able to improve the efficiency with which it senses the driver's commands. Thus the driver is able to get the system to learn his/her commands (forward/right/left) quickly and efficiently. The new system has succeeded in having drivers correctly give commands to their wheelchairs. An accuracy rate of 95% was achieved, one of the highest in the world.

Plans are underway to utilize this technology in a wide range of applications centered on medicine and nursing care management. R&D under consideration includes increased the number of commands given and developing more efficient dry electrodes. So far the research has centered on brain waves related to imaginary land and foot control. However, through further measurement and analysis it is anticipated that this system may be applied to other types of brain waves generated by various mental states and emotions.

(1) Blind signal separation (BSS) is a technology that separates the noise components and useful signal components from brain signals that can be used to control the wheelchair. It utilizes only on-line-recorded EEG signals.

(2) Space-time-frequency filtering is a technology which extracts space and time patterns and frequency oscillation data from EEG electrodes to discriminate significant features and components which are able to reliably control the wheelchair.

Source: http://media.toyota.ca/pr/tci/en/real-time-control-of-wheelchairs-950391.aspx - June 2009.

Toyota. A Made-in-Canada Story

Toyota. A Made-in-Canada Story

When someone says "Toyota" do the words "Made in Canada" come to mind? If not, that's understandable. In fact, research tells us that while Canadians love our Toyota and Lexus vehicles, few Canadians know they are made here. Truth is, Canada, and Canadians, are bigger parts of the Toyota family than you might realize. After 40-plus years in Canada, Toyota continues to do its best to make things better, contributing to stronger and more prosperous communities, a cleaner environment and making vehicles designed to match Canadian ideals.

The most recent development is in Woodstock, Ontario, where Toyota has invested more than $1 billion in a new manufacturing facility. This new plant is already producing RAV4s and adds even more jobs to Toyota's employment roster.

In fact, Canadians have been making Toyota vehicles for nearly 20 years, including one of the most popular cars of all time, the Toyota Corolla. It's not just us who drive Canadian-made Corollas, either. They are also exported to the U.S. and beyond. Far more Toyota vehicles are built in Canada than are sold here. Similarly, the wheels made at Canadian Autoparts Toyota Inc. in Delta, B.C., are exported and used domestically.

As significant as Toyota's manufacturing presence is, it's just a part of Toyota's efforts here. For example, part of the $1 million per hour Toyota spends on research and development globally is invested in Canada.

At its cold weather testing facility in Timmins, Ontario, one of only two such Toyota facilities in the world, Toyota puts its conventional gas-powered models and next-generation vehicles through gruelling paces.

At temperatures that often drop below -30 degrees Celsius, Toyota engineers test functions like the opening and closing of doors and windows, engine starting, defogging, heater performance and other factors that impact safety and comfort. On roads across Quebec, Northern Ontario, Canada's Western provinces and into our Arctic north, Toyota evaluates braking, heating, handling, stability control and other systems.

The driving force of this work is a principle called Kaizen, a Japanese word meaning 'continuous improvement'. "This is part of our heritage that drives innovation and excellence at Toyota," says Yoichi Tomihara, president of Toyota Canada.

The bottom line, says Tomihara, "We work to make things better every day. It's what we do. It's part of what makes Toyota a natural fit in this country going back more than 40 years."

Source: Toyota SmartTimes, Winter 2009