Oct. 15, 2004

Toyota Display at 38th Tokyo Motor Show to Spotlight
Customized Commercial Vehicles and Vehicles for the Disabled

 

Tokyo ― TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION (TMC) announced today that it plans to exhibit 17 vehicles―six concept vehicles and 11 models of production commercial vehicles and specially equipped vehicles with features for the elderly and disabled―at the 38th Tokyo Motor Show (Nov. 3-Nov. 7) in Makuhari, Chiba under the theme “Vehicles for People; Vehicles as Partners.”
TMC views the Tokyo Motor Show as an opportunity to propose new automotive possibilities. Over the years, the company has used this occasion to unveil a wide variety of concept vehicles and technologies.

At this year’s show, continuing from last year, TMC will exhibit vehicles under the banner of "Ecology & Emotion"―a concept for making vehicles that offer superior environmental performance, as well as driving excitement―to showcase its initiatives for creating vehicles that respond to social needs. In the area of commercial vehicles, Toyota will present a range of enjoyable uses from business to leisure alongside its development of environmentally advanced technologies, and in the area of Welcabs (specially equipped vehicles with factory installed features for the disabled), it will present convenient mobility for the elderly and disabled.

Specifically, TMC will display concept vehicles such as the new HIACE, which offers an enjoyable base for business by acting as a multifunctional mobile studio; the REGIUSACE new customized vehicle, which can be loaded up with racing karts and also used to watch races; a new-concept self-operated vehicle that allows disabled people to enjoy mobility to the full without the need for the assistance of care-givers; a pickup truck of the near future that illustrates the extensive development of hybrid technology; and the IMTS next-generation mass-transit system.

The concept vehicles to be on display are the:
- “HIACE Sound Satellite”, a customized version of the new HIACE
- “REGUISACE MY KART FACTORY”, a customized version of the new REGIUSACE
- “Welcab concept” *1, a new-concept, self-operated vehicle for the disabled
- “FUTURE TRUCK CONCEPT”, pointing toward a pickup truck of the near future
- “IMTS”*2 next-generation transportation system to be introduced at the 2005 World Exposition, Aichi, Japan (EXPO 2005 AICHI, JAPAN)
- “PM”*3 for personal mobility

*1 “Welcab” is coined from the words “welfare” and “cabin” (as in passenger cabin)
*2 Intelligent Multimode Transit System
*3 Personal Mobility with visual communication system

HIACE Sound Satellite

Welcab concept


An outline of the exhibits follows.

1) CONCEPT VEHICLES

HIACE Sound Satellite
The stylish design and spacious interior of the new HIACE have been used to create a “customized vehicle that makes work enjoyable,” billed as a multifunctional mobile studio fitted with an “open studio” and merchandise showcase.

- Open the double doors on the left side of the vehicle and a fan-shaped “revolving open studio” equipped with a counter, audio gear and other fixtures emerges on the left, while a fan-shaped “revolving merchandise showcase” emerges on the right. The vehicle can thus be used as a DJ booth, to set up equipment for an event, to display goods, or in a variety of other ways.
- In addition to its two large roof-mounted foldaway plasma display screens, this vehicle is also fitted with audio gear, indoor lighting and other equipment, allowing it to liven up any outdoor event.

REGIUSACE MY KART FACTORY
The spacious interior of the new REGIUSACE has been used to create a “leisure-oriented customized car” that allows two racing karts to be stored on board at once, along with tools and other equipment, while still leaving room for relaxing in comfort.

- The luggage space serves as a two-kart garage. The vehicle is fitted with a lift for loading and unloading the karts and large double doors at the rear allowing compact storage of tools, kart parts, etc.
- Versatile seat arrangements cater to a variety of needs giving the cabin the feel of a lounge, allowing, for instance, the front and second seat rows to face each other or the second seat row to be turned sideways to serve as a spectator bench for races.

Welcab concept
The driver seat and front passenger seat are both made wheelchair-accessible without assistance from a care-giver in this “new-concept, self-operated vehicle for the disabled” designed to allow two disabled people full access to free and convenient mobility through independent driving.

- Electrically operated sliding doors with wide openings are provided on both sides. The driver seat is accessible in a dedicated wheelchair via an electric lift, while the passenger seat is an electrically operated detachable lift-up seat that can be used as a wheelchair and also permits problem-free access and alighting with the help of an electrically operated lift. All these operations can be performed by wireless remote control.
- The electronic Friendmatic system reduces the strain of driving operations associated with the brake, accelerator and power steering, while the grouping and optimal layout of switches and controls facilitates driving.

FUTURE TRUCK CONCEPT
Designed with the U.S. market in mind, this concept points toward “a pickup truck of the near future” fitted with a hybrid system and four-wheel drive, and adapted to a range of purposes from business and family use to leisure use.

- The powertrain envisions a hybrid system consisting of a V8 gasoline engine and a high-output motor, illustrating the diverse development of hybrid technology as it aspires to combine both ecology and power in a full-size truck.
- The four-seat double cab sports a powerful and stylish exterior. On the inside, the center console, with its compact layout of instrumentation and operating systems, and the circular center display, which shows important information in 3D, contribute to a futuristic atmosphere.

IMTS
IMTS is a new transit system based on the latest ITS (Intelligent Transport Systems) technology that allows the unmanned, automatic and platoon operation of buses on dedicated roads (whereby multiple units run in file formation at unified speeds), as well as manual and independent operation on ordinary roads.

- The system will be featured at the 2005 World Exposition, Aichi, Japan, which begins in March next year.
- The vehicles will feature environmentally considerate clean CNG (compressed natural gas) engines and low floors, and will stop at station platforms at a point where floor height is equal to platform height, in pursuit of a more people-friendly vehicle.
- Each unit will feature a design that gently embraces passengers, projecting an image of a sprouting seed. Its round and gentle glass cabin, with its esthetically pleasing lines, provides the occupants with a panoramic view.

PM
Designed to "meet, link and hang out," the PM offers advanced vehicle-to-vehicle communication and incorporates the concept or universal design. It is a "wearable" single-person vehicle that targets driver-vehicle unity. The cabin and seat shape are designed to fit almost like a glove, while integrating the driver's intentions with the vehicle's capabilities. (The PM was also exhibited at last year’s Tokyo Motor Show.)


2) PRODUCTION VEHICLES

1) HIACE (wagon)
2) REGIUSACE (Van)
3) Dyna (crane truck with DPR*1)
4) Dyna (chassis cab with DPNR*2)
5) TOYOACE (refrigerated hybrid vehicle)
6) PROBOX (CNG van)
7) Porte (side-access model with detachable passenger seat and dedicated wheelchair)
8) HIACE (wheelchair-adapted model, “D type”) (Super-long vehicle body; launch scheduled for January 2005)
9) Noah (wheelchair-adapted model, “Slope type”)
10) Isis (Side Lift-up Seat model, Panorama type)
11) Isis (latest Toyota vehicle to incorporate the concept of universal design)

*1 DPR: Diesel Particulate active Reduction System
*2 DPNR: Diesel Particulate NOx Reduction System

Press Briefing
TMC will brief the press on Nov. 2 at the Toyota booth beginning at 9:30 a.m.

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