SOMI summit celebrates results, toasts Toyota’s future
Toyota hosted its seventh annual State of the Motor Industry summit at Kyalami on Thursday. As much as it celebrated record South African sales for its vehicles in 2023, SOMI proudly trotted out a number of thrilling new Toyotas set for SA in the coming months and a little beyond that too.
SOMI also grappled the challenges of a load shedding on production, rampant inflation, crippling government logistical challenges and mushrooming cut-price Chinese and Indian rivals on the local market. That in addition to a constantly changing mobility wilderness as the global car industry struggles to come to terms with an emissions neutral future. In that regard, Toyota South Africa remains on course for what it calls Beyond Zero. But SOMI was about far more than just that.
Toyota sold a record 26.8% of SA vehicles in ‘23
Starting with Toyota’s record 2023 sales performance, the company claimed a record 26.8% of the new vehicle market with a second-best ever 142,612 cars sold. Toyota also continued its 44-year run as South Africa’s best-selling car brand. Hilux remains SA’s top seller with 37,382 registrations, Corolla Cross starred at 22,592, Starlet sold 15,713 and Lexus grew 2.7% in a 6.7% diminished segment.
Moving on, the company outlined its plans to keep ahead in future. Toyota is famous for excellent customer experience. It plans to nurture that advantage by keeping fully abreast with latest technology and future lifestyle trends. Every future Toyota owner touch point will be enhanced by integrating latest software concepts with proven systems to foster strongest customer approval.
Parts supply to accessories and service, finance, insurance, and mobility services, will evolve into line with future technology and customer needs. This spreads to Toyota’s EV journey, which is delayed in South Africa, to ensure all aspects of energy management, storage and charging will be ready to deliver complete customer satisfaction from early 2025.
Toyota will deliver diverse mobility options
Talking future mobility, Toyota refuses to put all its eggs in one energy solution basket. Echoing global chairman Akio Toyota’s sentiments earlier in the week, Toyota SA CEO Andrew Kirby explains, “Toyota’s Multi Pathway Approach will transform vehicle architecture to deliver diverse mobility options en route to an electric and hydrogen-based future.
“Toyota supports diverse energy solutions, country by country. We embrace everything from combustion to hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles. Our renewable energy developments spread from electricity and hydrogen to battery electric, hydrogen combustion and fuel cell vehicles. All will ensure that Toyota will become Beyond Zero in the near future.
“We will also continue to invest and explore carbon natural fuels from hydrogen to bio-fuels to ensure that existing vehicles are decarbonised. Toyota’s diversified focus on electrification and rapidly advancing battery technology will always ensure the conscientious use of scarce battery critical minerals.”
SOMI shows off new Prado. Here in April
With the formalities in place, it was time to see what Toyota has in store for us in the next twelve months, and a little more. And it all starts with huge news on the 4×4 front. First up, perhaps the most anticipated Toyota in some while, the all-new squared-off back-to-its-roots Land Cruiser Prado.
Modular in design and based on the same platform as the Cruiser 300, local models will be powered by Toyota’s venerable 2.8 GD-6 turning all four wheels via an all-new 8-speed automatic with a radically refined suspension. So you’d better have your order in already, If you want a First Edition model of the TX of VX-Rs landing in April!
Before that, there’s big news for Land Cruiser 70 series fans with a new range of subtly retro reimagined single and double cabs and the wagon with a fresh cabin too. Still available with the 4.5-litre V8, get used to the fact that the latest King of Africa will soon only be had with the quicker, stronger, and far more frugal Hilux 2.8 engine, also available in the first quarter.
GR-S III, the most radical Hilux debuts at SOMI
Also in the first quarter, the last current Hilux before the all-new one arrives next year. The Dakar-bred widebody GR-S III will be the most radical Hilux Toyota ever sold in South Africa. Boasting an all-new Tundra-inspired face, a full GR cabin and the same performance boosted 165 kW 550 Nm 2.8 from GR-S II. Expect the ultimate off-roader in SA in March.
Another new Hilux for 2024 is the 48V. That’s volts, not valves. The 48V Mild Hybrid adds 12 kW and 65 Nm electric power. It harvests brake regeneration through a belt driven motor generator. 48V will add advanced Start/Stop, a 600 rpm idle, and improved acceleration. And better consumption on 2.8-litre auto Hilux Raider and Legend, and Fortuner models.
Sticking with the hybrid commercial theme, Hino will launch its 110 kW 470 Nm 4-litre turbo diesel electric hybrid 300 HEV truck in November. It has an electric motor directly coupled to its 6-speed automatic gearbox. This one also brings regenerative braking, advanced Stop/Start and advanced safety to the trucking world.
SOMI EVs are coming. But not just yet
SOMI showed off an electric Toyota and Lexus pair. These EVs are not due until 2025 with improved new models. They will be launched via dealers and support that will be fully ready for electric cars. Lexus’ first bespoke battery-electric RZ has 150 kW front and 80 kW rear dual-motor all-wheel drive. Good for around 400 km range. It arrives January 2025
It will be followed by Toyota’s striking and fun to drive first fully electric bZ4X. Likely to come in front or dual-motor all-wheel drive, bZ4X will be built on Toyota’s dedicated e-TNGA BEV platform. It promises a 400 km driving range. Like the Lexus, the much improved next generation bZ4X will be the car to come to SA.
Not to be outdone, Toyota Gazoo Racing celebrated its recent Dakar success. It also rolled out its ‘pyramid of racing’ plans for 2024. The Dakar crews were highlighted by Giniel de Villiers celebrating his 21st Dakar finish in 21 starts. And his 20th top 10 finish. Rookie 1-2 Guy Botterill and Saood Variawa also explained just how tough Dakar 2024 was.
SuperStarlet completes Gazoo Racing ladder
Looking ahead, Toyota unveiled its brand new SuperStarlet SupaCup touring car racer and GR Corolla League racers at SOMI. It also committed to its stairway of talent. The SuperStarlet now provides a direct line of progression. Out of karting through various levels of Touring Car racing, Rally, and Rally Raid, to that Dakar apex.
All in all, SOMI 2024 proved an intriguing look into the world of Toyota and Lexus’ latest dreams, plans, and ideas. It provided an idea what’s coming next from South Africa’s leading carmaker. And SOMI also outlined Toyota’s way forward in a challenging and rapidly changing car world.
“Our global president Sato has challenged us to change the future of cars,” Andrew Kirby concluded. “Embracing this, Toyota will shift into the future through the diversification of power solutions and smart software. It will bring greater value to cars as we evolve into a mobility industry on a truly multi-pathway road toward electrification.” – Michele Lupini