Toyota Yaris: Tapping into heightened buyer awareness

The fourth generation of Toyota’s baby hatch has finally arrived – here’s what we can tell you without having yet had chance to drive it (you’ll find out why in the story).

MIGHT an incoming high-set crossover version of the new Yaris so overshadow the orthodox models arriving now as to endanger their ongoing showroom presence?

The possibility of this has been acknowledged by the brand’s national boss.

“I believe over the next 12 to 18 months that Yaris Cross will be the Yaris hatch replacement,” says Toyota New Zealand’s newly-installed chief executive, Neeraj Lala, in speaking to changing trends in the light car category. 

“Given the trends in the market and given that this car (the Cross) has such high appeal to a slightly older demographic, I think the Yaris Cross will be the dominant small car for us. 

the yaris cross is about six weeks from release.

“What that means for Yaris hatchback moving forward we will wait and see.”

Though it has never been able to emulate the volumes achieved by Toyota’s most popular car, the Corolla, Yaris has traded as a solid performer across three preceding generations, though registrations have diminished in the past two years, from 2002 in 2018 to 1802 last year.

The light car sector still achieves around 10,000 to 11,000 units per year for an 11 percent share of new car sales, according to Toyota NZ. Yet the market leader’s optimism about where is going seems greater than general industry sentiment. Many brands have struggled and core historic rival, Ford, has become so disillusioned as to pull mainstream editions of the Fiesta and instead pin all hope on a performance ST.

TNZ’s ongoing positivity seems driven in large part because it is strengthening its private buyer business and now has a hybrid drivetrain.

Yet it is also acknowledging change in consumer taste. Hence why the Yaris Cross is just weeks away from introduction.

TNZ has yet to fully unwrap its plans for this derivative, but as a spin-off design off the same engineering and design base as the pathfinder hatchbacks it could well also fully replicate the hatchback line which comprises four 1.5-litre petrols, all driving through CVTs, two with a hybrid drivetrain, and in GX and ZR specification grades. 

Being taller and with greater ground clearance than the donor – though only for show (no additional off-seal competence is claimed) – the Cross will potentially have a premium over the hatches, which range from $25,990 to $32,990, unless a special paint finish is chosen. That adds $500. 

A crossover is just one new direction for Yaris – it is also set to configure here as a fully hot hatch by year-end.

Inspiration for the wild 192kW/360Nm four-wheel-drive turbocharged GR (for Gazoo Racing) car comes from Toyota’s entry in the wavering World Rally Championship and is also fired by the brand’s determination to rev up its showroom image.

The GR will be the basis for a replacement for the Yaris that currently competes in WRC and would assuredly have been seen in action here in September had not our round been skittled by coronavirus.

Interestingly, the brand has already started the GR push in Japan with a curious concoct called the RS. This delivers the same imposing wide-hipped body, bespoke aero package, twin exhaust outlets and ultra-wide stance of the full-fat GR but runs the mainstream petrol engine. There’s no talk of it coming here.

TNZ has already taken 20 firm orders for the GR and says this interest has been enough to persuade Japan to provision more than the five units it originally earmarked for NZ for this year.

TNZ’s enthusiasm for the additional family members notwithstanding, it also sees interest in the Yaris as it presents just now being re-energised.

The model going to a fresh platform promising better driving feel, a lift in safety equipment and the hybrid’s efficiency have been cited as factors expected to raise the car’s game and status.

The latter might seem of especial interest, though the tech has taken its sweet time getting here. While this is the first hybrid Yaris available new here, it’s actually the third Toyota has created: The predecessors were based on the gen three car that NZ took from 2011; the first went into production in 2012 then was radically re-engineered four years on. However, it was only ever available in certain markets, none at this end of the world.

This latest one looks a lot more convincing than the predecessors, even though the pure electric operability is as limited as on any other Toyota hybrid – basically, the battery-only impetus avails at start-up, in reverse and at very low speed, for very limited duration, moving forward. In keeping with the Toyota/Lexus hybrid culture, it of course also lacks capability for plug-in replenishment, a feature required to establish connection as an electric car. 

Yaris misses out on claiming as the country’s cheapest battery-assisted new passenger product - that title being recently snared by the Suzuki Swift hybrid.

Yet it certainly stakes a strong claim for market-leading efficiency (76 grams per 100km) and economy, siting as the most fuel efficient car in New Zealand without the ability to run on batteries alone, with the lithium ion battery-fed 85kW drivetrain eking an official combined consumption of 3.3 litres per 100km. 

That figure gives it a narrow lead over other established sippers, nonetheless. For instance, it’s just a 0.1L/100km advantage over the claimed optimal from a full-sized Prius and a 0.6L/100km advantage over a car that would set to now be bumped from the market, as it’s been around for eight years.

That’s the Prius C, which also sits in a lower tech level by having nickel hydride batteries. The closest rival outside Toyota is the Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid, which delivers 3.4L/100km. As always, all this becomes somewhat theoretical in real-world conditions anyway. 

Still, Lala reckons those factors will be acknowledged by the Green-minded, saying: “With the … hybrid, you know you will be reducing your carbon footprint.”

The 1.5-litre engine also does its bit, through applying the Atkinson-cycle principles that have featured in previous fuel-eking Toyota petrol engines, but in a three-cylinder format. Toyota claims the 1.5 has a rated thermal efficiency of 40 percent, which it says is greater than comparable diesel engines. Emissions are higher that the hybrid, at 114g/km, yet the standard engine is more efficient than the outgoing car’s by some margin. 

So how does it go? Erm ….

Opportunity to independently assess the model’s mettle and verify Lala’s claim of this being “the most premium small car Toyota has built” that “lends a driving experience unrivalled in the segment” and is built to be fun has been left unfulfilled.

 TNZ broke with the convention of a media gathering at a central location with cars on hand to drive, instead favouring a remote internet conference, with 90 minutes of presentations beaming out from TNZ HQ, which last week announced as the first site in Palmerston North to achieve 5G.

 A fallout from Covid-19 concerns? Certainly, several past such national events conducted by other brands have been – but only during lockdown. Now, of course, we are free of restrictions on travel and mingling.

 However, TNZ reckoned it didn’t see potential from a traditional media gathering, on grounds that it couldn’t corral enough cars for a drive programme. (Yes, just to remind, this IS the brand that dominates the market we’re talking about; primarily being serviced by factories in Japan, whose production was largely unscathed by coronavirus). It has promised to stage an orthodox event for the Yaris Cross and GR in October.

 As previously reported, this Yaris runs two kinds of CVT – the pure petrol’s coming, in ZR form, with paddle controls and an astounding, potentially bewildering 10-speeds – and also breaks ground by achieving the latest Toyota Safety Sense package as standard.

 Even the entry-level car gets dynamic radar cruise control and lane-tracing assist. In a Toyota first, front seat centre aisle airbags have been added to reduce the risk of the driver and front passenger colliding during a side-on collision.

 The pre-collision system has also been updated to use a camera, radar and autonomous emergency braking to avoid or mitigate the effects of a crash and it is the first Toyota to gain two collision avoidance systems, delivering automatic braking and steering intervention, previously restricted to some Lexus product.

 Aside from detecting vehicles and pedestrians both day and night, and cyclists during the day, the full system is also claimed to detect and automatically brake to avoid other vehicles and pedestrians when turning at intersections. The on-board camera can also recognise speed signs and alert drivers if they’re going above the posted limits and also facilitates a lane-keep function.

 The ZR variants also feature blind spot monitor plus front and rear parking sensors that can trigger the brakes to avoid contact.

 It is the next Toyota to adopt full smartphone integration including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Functionality is via a large, high resolution touchscreen that stands out as one of the high-quality features now in a cabin in which, Toyota says, trims are now more premium.

 The GX has a black interior, while the ZR has a contrasting grey and black interior with red accents, both with cloth trims. The ZR has sports style seats, climate control air conditioning, smart entry with push button start, digital speedometer and a heads-up display.

 TNZ is promoting this fourth-generation Yaris as being more spacious than predecessors. The front seats have been moved outwards by 10mm to create more space between the driver and front passenger, while the seats are lower in the vehicle also. More storage space has been added in the front console, under the audio unit and in front of the front passenger.

The Yaris and Yaris Cross have the same 2560mm wheelbase, but the hatch is 240mm shorter overall, the crossover adding 60mm to the front overhang and 180mm to the rear, to ensure more interior space. The ground clearance is 60mm higher with the Cross and, with 1550mm height, the hatch is 90mm lower and 20mm narrower overall.

The maker is also asking consumers to take note of the car’s “new energetic and sporty look”. The GX features new 15-inch steel wheels with cover, while the ZR has two-tone machine- finished 16-inch alloys. 

Keeping with that theme, the ZR is available in two two-tone options – an ebony roof coupled with either eclectic blue or coral exterior paint options.

The combined effect of the improvements does hit the bottom line, of course. Take note that the outgoing line priced between $23,290 and $27,490 when it launched back in 2012. However, Lala says the impetus has not been to sell Yaris as the cheapest car but as the best; TNZ research also suggests buyers are increasingly looking for more premium features in the choices, and don’t mind paying a little extra for it.

Land Cruiser update - change of face for change of pace

Is this the new look for Toyota’s off-road giant, the so-called 300-Series expected to be here soon?

IMAGES fully revealing the styling alterations arriving with the 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser support conjecture that the mechanical change coming with the ‘300 Series’ treatment will be more headline-making.

These photos have been unearthed by a specialist Australian off-roading web publication, Unsealed 4x4, and purport to show the updated vehicle awaiting shipment from a port in Japan.

Handily, the vehicle is parked alongside an example of the current 200-Series, which makes identifying the external design changes – to the front, at least - all the easier. If they’re not immediately apparent, the new car has a new grille, updated headlights and new front bumper that’s significantly deeper than the current model. It also scores new alloy wheels.

Exactly when Kiwis will be able to see the refresh in the metal for themselves is not clear. Toyota New Zealand has several product launches to enact this year, but anything for Land Cruiser has not been specifically mentioned. So far, the talk has been all about Yaris and updated Hilux.

However, it’s an open secret that significant change is coming for the long-running wagon and that the big development will be the introduction of a twin turbo V6 petrol mild hybrid powertrain. Whether this unit will sit alongside, or completely replace, the current 4.5 litre V8 turbodiesel is still subject to much discussion. Toyota is remaining quiet.

The model that media imagine will be called ‘300 Series’ has been a long-time coming. It’s strongly claimed Toyota had 300-Series prototypes in Australia being tested as long ago as 2015. The 200 has been around for an astoundingly long period: 2020 is its 13th year of production. The preceding ‘passenger’ Land Cruiser models were in build for eight (80 Series) and nine (100 Series) years respectively.

Why drop the V8? Mainly, it seems, because of a wider brand policy. For sure, the current engine struggles to meet economy and the latest emissions standards enforced in some big passenger markets – but whether that really matters to land Cruiser is moot. The biggest markets for this model are the Middle East, where fuel is cheap and no one gives a jot about exhaust counts, and Australia; another country where the car is comfortably accepted in its current form. To be fair, NZ also doesn’t have any regulations that the vehicle would trip over.

However, Toyota Japan has itself committed to offering a fully electric or electric hybrid version of every model in its range by 2025, so conceivably that in itself is enough to do it for Land Cruiser. Also, the developments it gets are likely to be applied to vehicles like the Prado, the Fortuner and the Hiluix. Indeed, a hybrid Hilux has been mentioned repeatedly as a future product. 

While its specs have remained closely guarded secret, the ‘300’s’ engine is expected to be based on a large-capacity six-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, potentially a version of the 3.6-litre used by Lexus product, augmented with an electric motor and a battery pack. Outputs estimated in the region of 260kW and 490Nm. When news if this drivetrain first broke – via a Japanese car publication, ‘Best Car’ – it was suggested the engine would drive through a constantly variable transmission.

The Lexus version of this powertrain is not turbocharged and goes into the LS large sedan and LC flagship coupe. In those vehicles it produces 220kW at 6600rpm and 348Nm at 4900rpm, and the electric hybrid system produces 132kW and 300Nm, for a combined power output of 264kW (with an estimated combined torque of 500Nm). In the LS, it makes 310kW and 600Nm, a torque output that is closer to that from the current 200-Series engine, which packs a claimed 650Nm at 1600-2800rpm and 200kW at 3600rpm.

The powertrain demands a stepped CVT in place of the current edition’s six-speed traditional automatic, to improve fuel consumption to around 9.4 litres per 100km and reduce emissions.

Toyota is the pioneer of hybrids, having launched the first mass-produced production hybrid car, the Prius, back in 1997, and its hybrid integration and much higher now.

The LC200’s stocks have fallen in recent years as the market migrates away from full-sized, old-school ladder frame genuinely tough all-terrain models and toward softer, more street-wise sports utilities.

Even so, there has been enough of a core following to sustain a four variant local lineup, starting with a $115,900 VX and topping with a $129,990 VX Limited, and convincing the traditional buyer set that this is a better alternate to the current offering could be a challenge.

Land Cruiser 200-Series maintains especially high residuals on strength of its toughness and as a good choice for towing super-sized caravans and boats; the fan base will be eager to know if that talent remains intact. It also has a very comprehensive off-roading technology pack. It’s hard to imagine this being eroded though surely having a CVT in the package will raise some interesting challenges.

There has been talk about the vehicle going to a new platform; the vehicle in the images apparently having the same dimension (and, aside from the nose, body shape) as the 200-Series suggests that is not the case. But, for the record, overseas’ chat has been about it taking a body-on-frame version of the TNGA (for Toyota New Global Architecture) underpinning, known as TNGA-CV.

The interior is said to be in for a huge revamp, with leather, comfort and luxury levels that were previously the preserve of a Lexus.

Best Car said it has a larger, up-to-date 8.0-inch infotainment system, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and additions to Toyota Safety Sense, which will come with a full suite of driving assists such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, day and night-time pedestrian detection and more.

Camry updates acknowledged

Toyota is putting a more efficient battery into its Camry and bringing a facelifted model.

 ADVANCE notice of changes coming to the Camry has been given.

A fresh front end styling sits ahead of some key technology improvements that mean an upgrade to the already comprehensive Toyota Safety Sense suite of assists.

What the maker is calling Safety Sense 2.5 includes upgrades to systems such as the pedestrian-detection and adaptive cruise control functions.

The car also takes a new dash design, the big change there being a different touchscreen infotainment set up – it also now a tablet-style arrangement, meaning it sticks out of the dash. 

Before we see this, the hybrid drivetrain that has become core to the car’s appeal will be given a refresh.

Retirement of the current 245V nickel metal hydride battery for the 2.5-litre petrol electric drivetrain for a more efficient 259V lithium-ion battery is set to happen very soon, well before the new look arrives.

Which is when, exactly? Well, don’t be in a rush to grill your dealer – as said, though released now, this news about the mid-life restyling process is very much ahead of delivery time. The changes will not chime in until early next year, in fact.

However, with first Toyota in America and then the brand’s Australia outpost having notified the update, Toyota New Zealand has been compelled to speak, with chief executive Neeraj Lala offering the following in respect to the updates and the brand’s thinking about the ongoing status of a car that has been pointed more toward private sector and weaned off fleet and taxi stand favouritism.

“While the sedan/passenger car customer interest does continue to decline, we have seen a significant increase in Camry sales since the launch of the new generation model in 2018,” he offered.

“Our market penetration for private Camry sales is sitting at 30 percent year to date. We are increasingly seeing customers move towards hybrid powertrains across all our models and Camry is no different with 85 percent of our sales year to date.

“We have had great customer feedback on how it is a great car to drive, and people quite literally can’t believe it is a Camry they are driving!”

Corolla Cross out in 2022 and signed for NZ

An elevated Corolla has been announced and Toyota New Zealand has signed up.

A PERENNIAL strong seller for Toyota is set for a rise in stature.

 The Corolla has become the next candidate passenger car for conversion into something it’s never previously been, a crossover.

Announcement of the – you guessed it – Corolla Cross came from today’s global unveiling in Thailand, where it is being built and will be sold first.

Availability in other right-hand-drive markets will commence in 2022. Toyota New Zealand has confirmed itself as a starter.  

“We have secured this product for our line-up and are excited to launch it in due course,” said chief executive Neeraj Lala.

“This addition will continue to add breadth to our overall range, with more SUV options for our customers. We will release more information closer to the time of launch.” 

Toyota head office says Corolla Cross benefits from its experience as a pioneer in recreational SUVs, which triggered 25 years ago with the original RAV4 - a vehicle that is now the world's best-selling SUV.

The brand sees this model as delivering a design philosophy of "Corolla meets SUV", blending the best aspects of both worlds. “It balances a dynamic, powerful, sleek and sophisticated design with high levels of SUV practicality,” according to the press information.

Corolla Cross is on the same GA-C platform as the Corolla hatch and sedan, ensuring a high level of body rigidity and a well-balanced chassis for responsive and agile driving, a comfortable ride and outstanding quietness, Toyota believes.

Other features include a spacious cabin, easy entry into and exit from the car and excellent luggage space, as well as a high level of safety equipment inherited from Corolla hatch and sedan.

The brand says Corolla Cross will place between Yaris Cross, releasing in NZ later this year, and RAV4 and be available with either a petrol engine or a petrol-electric hybrid powertrain, but has yet to be more specific.

‘Toyota was always the only company I wanted to work for’

His family came to New Zealand for a new life – as incoming CEO of Toyota New Zealand, Neeraj Lala has a similar mission.

FROM JULY 1 Toyota New Zealand has a new chief executive –  Neeraj Lala, promoted from the position of chief operating officer, is just the fifth local at the helm in 50 years.

The only son of parents who emigrated from India to a new life in Wellington, Lala came to the country’s largest new passenger vehicle distributor in 1998, virtually directly from the capital’s Victoria University, where he’d gained a Bachelor of Commerce, taking up a role in the IT department.

Working for the brand, then based in Johnsonville and so an easy commute from the family home, was a dream come true for this lifelong car nut inspired, he acknowledges, by the ‘Welcome to Our World’ ad campaign, he imagined he might be there for a few years and then head overseas. 

It didn’t work out that way. Over the years, he has worked in most areas of the Toyota business including Marketing, New Vehicles, Product Planning, IT and Used Vehicles. In 2014, he completed an Executive Master of Business Administration (MBA), finishing top in his class with Distinction from Massey University.
 
Since returning in 2018 from a three-year Executive Leadership programme with Toyota Motor Sales in the United States, Neeraj has been instrumental in driving transformational change at Toyota. The 45-year-old and his wife, Sandy, have also raised two daughters – now teenagers - and a younger son.

We sat down with the new boss to talk about his life and career path, his thoughts about where the car business is heading … and a little about his cars and his family.

MotoringNZ: What does it personally mean to have achieved the role of chief executive officer of the country’s largest new motor vehicle distributor?

Neeraj Lala: “As something I have worked long and hard for, for a long time, it means a huge amount to me. And to my family. We’ve all made quite big sacrifices. 

“It’s quite a humbling privilege to be given an opportunity to continue a really strong legacy built up by (retiring CEO) Alistair Davis, and Bob Field before him.”

Care to guess what this kid grew up to do?

MotoringNZ: You arrived at Toyota New Zealand in 1998 pretty much fresh from university and went straight into what was then a relatively fledgling IT department – back when this thing called the internet was still something of a foreign territory for even big brands. Did you see TNZ as the life-long home it’s become or was this supposed to be a transition toward a different kind of career? 

Lala: “I’ve always been a car nut and when I was a university student I wanted to work for Toyota, having been seduced by the ‘Welcome to Our World’ campaign. Toyota was always the only company I wanted to work for.

“I never applied for a job with any other company. I worked for the Radio Network for seven or eight months, but it was just a transition job while I was waiting for Toyota to reply to my application.

 “When I got the job I wasn’t aware the company was transitioning from Wellington.

“It was a bit of a shock when my wife and I moved to Palmerston North … we didn’t see Palmerston North as a long-term residence. We initially had the view we might stay here for maybe two years and join our friends, in the United Kingdom or in Australia. 

“But two years turned into four, into six, into 10 ….”

MotoringNZ: You’re from a humble family background; hardworking parents, brought up in a close-knit, proud community. Life lessons tend to influence; what values instilled from your early life that remain important to you? Also, does your rise give you thought to ponder about diversity in the workplace?

Lala: “Mum and dad, who still live in Wellington, came to New Zealand from India when they were teenagers. They migrated for a lot of reasons, including of course to give their kids a better life.

“My three older sisters – who now live in Auckland - and I were all born in Wellington.

“We were also of course quite heavily involved in the Indian community; it was really important to my parents and all of us. It’s a really tight-knit community and they have exceptionally high standards and work to keep the culture alive, though with every new generation there are always little changes.

“My dad wanted his kids to have their own businesses. He told me before I started at Toyota ‘a Japanese car company will never take an Indian seriously.’ And that was because his generation was exposed to a lot of racism. 

“That of course is a very traditional mindset but it is certainly not anything I have experienced or been exposed to. 

“When I was a kid I never saw my Maori mates, my Samoan mates, my European mates or my Chilean mates as being any different to me. In the playground we were one.

“It’s the same at work. If we had a cultural festival at Toyota New Zealand, I think we would have most cultures featuring.

“Even though diversity in the workplace is topical, I believe our process – not through intention or design – has just naturally attracted the best people, and the best people just happen to have a multitude of cultures and interests in their backgrounds. I think that is what makes this place pretty special.”

MotoringNZ: Toyota in New Zealand is as it is in Japan; a powerhouse. How does this ship sail – is strict adherence to head office corporate responsibilities and ideals expected; what allowance do you have to imprint your own aspirations? 

Lala: “One of the things that excited me about coming back from the US is the autonomy and the flexibility that TMC (Toyota Motor Corporation, Japan) provide TNZ with.

“In the US we had a Japanese co-ordinator in almost every division. But TMC see New Zealand as a dojo – an innovation hub – to trial new business processes and opportunities.

“That’s why we have had really strong interest and support for the ‘Drive Happy’ project. It’s a market where we can test and trail exciting new innovations and business models and then be an innovation hub, via TMC, to other distributors around the world.”

MotoringNZ: This is a carefully planned handover – it was clear more than a year ago that you were to be the next on the throne, as it were. All the same, history seems to conspire to ensure these changeovers occur during periods of challenge: Your predecessor assumed the job at the height of the 2008 global financial crisis, you are taking the reins during Covid-19 – does that add to the weight of responsibility.

Lala: “No …. 

 “ … it doesn’t.

“I have had a mentor (based in the US, Dave Oldfield), for 12 years, who I meet with and engage with, and I’ve had Alistair mentor me himself for more than 15 years.

“I knew before I went to the States that this (CEO role) was a likely opportunity, given that Alistair had a done a similar secondment. He mentioned to me early in my career that, because we’re such a small company, the cost of sending somebody overseas is such that you need to make sure than whoever you send is likely to be a successor. That, and when he asked me to undertake my MBA, were signals.

“So, anyway, it’s been a really long tail. When Covid hit I guess those 10 plus years of planning and preparation … well, I won’t say it was by any stretch of the imagination easy (to operate TNZ during lockdown) but the outputs of the training, the mentoring and the programming  … I’m left feeling we have navigated it extremely well. 

“The culture of our company has gone through the roof. The engagement has been unbelievable. And our start-up has been nothing short of exceptional.”

“So, I certainly don’t feel it as a burden. I feel it as an exciting opportunity.”

MotoringNZ: So come 8am, July 1, you’re in the big chair – what’s Job One and what are the immediate challenges facing Toyota NZ that you feel compelled to address?

 Lala: “I feel as there is an opportunity for us to really strengthen the core of our business, to serve our customers better. I know that may sound like a wishy-washy statement, but actually I think a one or two percent increase in every area of our business will give us a huge advantage, not just over out competition, but also to deliver our customers a far better experience.

“So the first job on day one is strengthening our core in areas of operational efficiency.”

MotoringNZ: It’s often said that when a brand is dominant, the only way to go is down – Toyota market share remains at a record high, but volume has diminished in recent years and Lexus has always been a quiet premium circle achiever. How confident are you that Toyota can remain the country’s most-loved car brand and what will keep it there?

Lala: “Actually, our market share has been as high as 24 percent so the fact that we’re currently at 20 percent tells me it’s low.

“I’m not so concerned about volume, because volume in the past has meant we’ve done things that we probably shouldn’t have. Did we over-invest in some channels over others? Possibly. But of course, it was done for a reason of feeding our value chain. I think there’s opportunities for us to grow our market share quite substantially, particularly with the new products we have coming over the next 18 months.

“What will keep us at number one is probably the experience at our stores around the country.

The Gazoo fan club starts here …

MotoringNZ: Your passion is for performance is obvious – your most recent daily drive cars have been a Lexus GS F and a Toyota Supra, you returned from a three-year stint with Toyota US with a Corvette ZO6 and you are a huge Gazoo Racing fan. Meantime, your predecessor, Alistair, is perhaps setting a different kind of standard … he drives a Lexus hybrid. Do you follow in his tyre tracks, keep up with the power play or find a happy medium.

Lala: (Laughing) “The first thing I’d say is Alistair’s a huge car guy and a real motorsport nut. You just look in his office; it’s ful of motorsport stuff. And our motorsport programme would not have got off the ground if it wasn’t for Alistair.

“So, while he is a tree-hugger, he’s a tree-hugger car enthusiast! He’s wanted to create his brand around sustainable and low emissions.

“My twist on that is that I see low emissions sustainable product coming though that also deliver the power and performance that excites me. If you look at the plug-in RAV4, the performance makes it a car I would drive.

“Yes, I’m a car guy. I just love cars.” 

MotoringNZ: You’ve often spoken about how Toyota is in transition from being a traditional automaker to a mobility company focused on future technologies – it’s a simple statement describing a journey of huge, probably complex, change. What are the implications for our country?

Lala: “Toyota is in the strongest position to deliver mobility in New Zealand. I say that with real confidence because I truly believe we have the best selection of sustainable products and, more importantly, I think we have the best coverage through the country in terms of accessibility.

“This is all about transitioning customers from (vehicle) ownership, to (vehicle) usage to (vehicle) access. The implications to our country are going to be immense. For cities like Auckland that struggle with congestion, it’s hopefully going to provide some logistics efficiency.

“I think from a personal consumer perspective, the implications here are going to be around how privacy laws evolve. Because, for effective car share, you need to have a transport system that gives you ‘first kilometre’, ‘last kilometre’ transport, as well as your core journey.

“For that to happen, it needs to be inter-modal. For something to be inter-modal, you need to have some data-sharing across different platforms. That has implications for our country but I think we are evolving and moving toward this.

“Contact tracing and social distancing … this Covid crisis, if anything, has widened out lenses to the fact of the likelihood of being tracked. And people are seeing the benefits from a health perspective.

“From a transport perspective, if a system could tell you how you could get off a bus at this time, and onto a train at that time and then into a taxi at another time … well, then the convenience and ease of mobility is what is going to make people more open to the fact that data is going to be shared.

“What implications will that have for our market? Well, it’s probably going to radically change the structure. We are a market of 30 percent private sales and 70 percent fleet or business. Under an effective car share, there are big question marks of leasing and rental, on structures of our current industry that could dramatically change. Which I think is quite exciting.” 

MotoringNZ: Toyota is dominant in hybrids and the sales imprint here is impressive, yet EVs are rising and we’ve all that Green-generated electricity to feed them. Toyota looks more like a follower than a leader with partial and total plug-in vehicles. How long before it and Lexus here have a full EV 

Lala: We’ll have an EV here within the next 18 to 24 months. Just in time for demand.

MotoringNZ: Also, there are a couple of hydrogen fuel cell Mirais in the company garage, apparently sitting idle. NZ also seems keen to get into the hydrogen game; there’s already talk of Palmerston North, your home city, being a ‘hydrogen hub’ – a fuelling centre for medium to heavy transport using this fuel. Can we see your brand hit that road?

Lala: “The hydrogen discussion in NZ is really exciting at the moment. We’ve already had conversations around promoting the energy as a sustainable and viable alternative. But I don’t believe this is something that can be done by just one brand. I see non-traditional alliances forming, that might not have ever been considered. We’re in conversations with the right people for that to happen.

“Does that mean we would support a hydrogen hub in Palemrston North? Maybe. I thinmk it would be a case of seeing what evolves and how it evolves.

New Mirai is available to New Zealand … all we need is an infrastructure to support Toyota’s hydrogen fuel cell technology.

“As for Mirai? Well there discussions at the moment about whether we will introduce the new Mirai, which was revealed last year, into New Zealand and how we would do that. It is certainly available to us and we are certainly excited about introducing it. But you cannot do that without infrastructure.

“So we have a few ideas with some strategic partners – other car companies and other organisations – about what would the introduction of hydrogen mobility look like.”

MotoringNZ: The work-life balance at corporate level can be challenging. You’re a family guy, living in a typical Kiwi house in a typical Kiwi suburb – you involve in your childrens’ recreational endeavours (No.1 spanner/supporter on your son’s racing kart) and you’ve found a new hobby in photography. Do you fear any of this having to be shelved going forward?

Lala: “I do love getting out and taking landscape photos but haven’t picked my camera up for a long time because my son’s karting has kept me busy.

“My priority is to Toyota and my family and, of course, it’s been quite tough. My daughters and my wife really enjoyed living in the States … my girls didn’t want to go but they’ve struggled with the transition back, as teenagers sometimes do.

“I’m really grateful I have Sandy holding things together and it’s just a case of holding everything in balance. I’ve empowered my management team and my executive team to lead and drive some of the stuff.

“The reality is that I’ll be away a lot so I’m really lucky to have the support of a good family.”

Regime change at Toyota NZ

Neeraj Lala becomes the market leader’s fifth local chief executive in 50 years.

Alistair Davis, left, and Neeraj Lala.

MARKET-dominant Toyota New Zealand and its prestige Lexus affiliate has a new boss. 

Neeraj Lala, at present the Palmerston North-centred brand’s chief operating officer at present, will start work on July 1 in the next step role, as chief executive officer.

In doing so he replaces Alistair Davis, who held the job for 12 years – assuming responsibility from another New Zealander, Bob Field.

Though ostensibly heading into retirement, Davis will follow the same path taken by his own predecessor by retaining a corporate connection, as non-executive chair of the board reporting to Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) in Japan. 

A Wellington-born married man and father of three, Lala has expressed excitement to take the helm as Toyota transitions from being a traditional car maker into a mobility company focused on future technologies.
 
“It has been a privilege to serve under Alistair’s leadership … and I appreciate his encouragement of my career development at Toyota. Alistair’s focus on people, culture and sustainability is well-embedded in the company and in the leadership team.
 
“I intend to carry on with that core focus, while advocating for an even better use of data and digital assets to get closer to our customers, particularly in these challenging and competitive times,” he says.
 
Mr Davis has called his successor a qualified leader who thrives on challenges and has the energy and vision to inspire and lead the company forward into a changed world.
 
“In Neeraj, Toyota has a well-prepared leader to take the company forward in the post-Covid 19 economy. He is an advocate for new ideas when it comes to how automakers market and sell their products in the 21st century,” he says.
 
Lala is known for being particularly passionate about performance machines - he drives a 2020 Toyota GR Supra - and technology. These interests mirror those of TMC President Akio Toyoda, who has even raced cars under a pseudonym.
 
Lala joined Toyota New Zealand in 1988 as an internet development co-ordinator and has since ascended via almost all areas of the Toyota business including marketing, new vehicles, product planning and used vehicles.

In 2014, he added to the Bachelor of Commerce from Victoria University held when he began employment by completing an Executive Master of Business Administration (MBA), finishing top in his class with distinction.

Between the end of 2014 to 2018 he undertook an executive leadership programme with Toyota Motor Sales in the United States, basing in California.

Since then he has been instrumental in driving transformational change at Toyota.

Mr Davis declined opportunity to be interviewed about his own period of tenure, citing preference for media attention to go to his replacement.

Richer outfitted Fortuner coming

Engine upgrades, improved towing capacity and more equipment for Toyota’s ‘other’ medium SUV.

THE diesel ‘alternate’ to the petrol-wed Highlander is about to be upgraded for New Zealander followers 

Revisions to the Fortuner, available here since 2015, largely follow those just announced for the HiLux.

The changes are obvious when spotted – though sighting a Fortuner has tended to be a challenge. With 54 registered in its year of launch, in 2015, 534 in 2106 – its full year – when 87 were rentals, 440 (25 rental) in 2017, 465 (one rental) in 2018 and 816 (of which 542 were rental) last year, plus 20 this year to date, it’s been a quiet achiever for Toyota New Zealand.

No matter. The Palmerston North-based distributor is sticking by its competitor to the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, Ford Everest and soon-to-go Holden Trailblazer and Isuzu MU-X.

Moreover, it is likely renew marketing focus on Fortuner because the model is just about to enter the market in an updated form that delivers a more sophisticated look, improved performance and better tech.

The detail will sound familiar, because unsurprisingly it’s pretty much the same stuff that will come to the 2021 HiLux, revealed last week.

TNZ could have, in fact, chosen to discuss Fortuner concurrently with the HiLux presentation, but chose to keep them separate to keep the information flow tidier. So Fortuner’s story was held over to this week.

So, what’s in store? The current two model grades, GXL and Limited, seem set to continue to be offered and the mid-life update will mirror most of the changes made to the HiLux, including its upgraded 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel.

Pricing and full spec are unlikely to come with this week’s announcement; in all probability, TNZ will follow normal process and hold these details until much closer to launch, which will surely tie to when HiLux appears.

On that matter, TNZ suggests “late year.” Surely we won’t be far behind Australia, which is taking both ute and wagon in August? Presently Fortuner GXL is a $55,490 ask and Limited sites $3000 above that.

Anyway, the images and some detail is already out, thanks to our neighbour.

Access to their press material suggests that as well as the sophisticated new exterior design, characterised by its sleek multi-LED headlight clusters, equipment levels have increased with the fitment of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (wired, not wireless) as part of a significant improvement to the infotainment system, which also takes a new touch screen, enlarged to eight inches (so, up one inch).

This is as much as Toyota wants to say about the interior, but suggestion is that it will get a fancier cabin fit-out than the updated HiLux ute.

The engine upgrade is significant. Matched as standard to an automatic transmission, the tweaked engine pumps out significantly more power and torque – up from 130kW/450Nm to 150kW/500Nm – thanks to “new and uprated components”.

Fuel consumption has also been reduced courtesy of improved cooling, says Toyota, which claims a 17 percent efficiency increase in the urban/city cycle, which will see combined consumption reduce from the current 8.6L/100km.

The boost in power also sees the Toyota Fortuner’s towing capacity increase from 2800kg to 3100kg, and is likely to be accompanied by a fix for the diesel particulate filter problem .

The sales pitch? Well, it used to be that TNZ marketed Fortuner as a a "medium rugged" SUV, pitching it as a less expensive alternative to the Land Cruiser Prado (also "medium rugged") or a more hard-core wagon than the passenger-car-based Highlander crossover, which it described as "medium soft". There’s no logical reason to divest from that strategy, not least given that Highlander from next year will drop its V6 in favour of a smaller capacity four-cylinder petrol with hybrid assist.

Prius no hit but still a stayer

Latest sales returns remind Kiwi love for hybrids is cemented .. except when it comes to the car that introduced the world to this tech. The Prius’s battery charge is all but depleted.

No question about the rav4 hybrid … Toyota’s most popular model in may, when the market was down overall, is still subject to a waiting list.

IS time just about up for the Toyota Prius?

Actually, it’s a not a new question. This poser has been relevant since at least 2015.

That’s really the first year when it became obvious that the hatchback that 25 years ago introduced motorists to the bright new world of electrified motoring was not doing at all well, at least in New Zealand-new form.

Which might seem crazy because, of course, as much as Prius appreciation has been falling away, our hybrid penetration has been ramping up, and quite considerably. And when it comes to favourite battery-assisted products, they’re all from the same brand: Toyota.

So, really, as much as the Prius has been on losing streak, the fact is that Toyota New Zealand has been winning. Really, then, the original hybrid car from Japan’s No.1 looks to be a victim of its own success. It has simply spawned development  of so many other Toyota hybrids at its own expense..

New Zealand new vehicle registration figures for May show that just two Prius and 10 of the smaller Prius Cs were sold during the month, way down on sales achieved by other Toyota hybrids – 413 RAV4s, 127 Corollas, 85 C-HRs, and 20 Camrys.

And year-to-date hybrid registration figures make just as depressing reading for the model. They show just 96 Prius and Prius C have been sold so far in 2020. Compare that to 1239 RAV4s, 431 Corollas, 246 C-HRs and 152 Camrys. Not only that, but various ‘H’ versions offered by Toyota’s luxury cousin Lexus have achieve a combined total of 187 registrations so far this year.

current prius has struggled since launch in 2016 and its predecessor was a falling star, too.

How does that compare to back in 2015 and prior? Well, it was a slightly different structure then, when Prius was a bigger family, including the V people carrier then. By chance, MotoringNZ owner Richard Bosselman happened to have written  ‘a what chance for Prius?’ story back in 2016, in which the data was presented.

According to the NZTA information cache from that period, in 2015 the C achieved 367 sales – whereas Prius hatch took just 30 (and the V 11). The preceding year was stronger for the hatch, with 121 units (against 287 C and 3 V), 549 in 2013 (no count for C, 55 for V) and 473 in 2012, a period when only the hatch was available. The was all collated because Toyota at that time was about to launch not only the fourth generation (aka ‘4G’) hatch we have now but also a car that seemed to do all Prius could, but in more acceptable form: Corolla hybrid. And, yet, five years on, the Corolla and Prius co-exist still. Who’d have picked that scenario?

Given all latest statistics continue to add up to a sad time for the iconic Prius, which earlier in its career was so new-age that it was the green vehicle of choice for everyone from Hollywood movie stars to politicians., the question obviously still seems reasonable. But TNZ is steadfastly true.

The hatch’s story began back in the early 1990s when Toyota Motor Corporation decided to attempt to develop a car that would have up to twice the fuel economy of its big-selling Corolla. The project culminated in the the brand’s first petrol-electric hybrid, a prototype Prius unveiled at the 1995 Tokyo Motor Show – the name, appropriately, a Latin word for “first” or “to go before”.

The model sure was a first.  With its Hybrid Synergy Drive system and battery pack that combined forces with a conventional petrol engine to achieve vastly improved fuel economy, it opened the way for electrified motoring well before fully electric motoring could begin to become economically possible.

The first-generation Prius, a four-door sedan, was launched in Japan in 1997. Toyota New Zealand introduced the second-generation model, a slightly geeky-looking five-door hatch, in 2003. Since then close to 6000 of them have been sold new here, their owners appreciating the superior fuel economy and reduced exhaust emissions that come from combining the self-charging electric motor and petrol engine.

arrival of Corolla in hybrid format could have been the end of Prius … but it wasn’t.

But now it seems the Prius’ job is done, leaving it up to more conventional-looking Toyota models to further the career of the hybrid passenger vehicle.

Those models – RAV4, Corolla, C-HR and Camry – are doing very well, too. Last month the hybrids accounted for 77.4 percent of all RAV4 sales, 68.6 percent of Corolla, 70.2 percent of C-HR and a remarkable 90.2 percent of all Camry sales.

The overall Toyota performance led the way in a stellar month for hybrids,  which saw them jump from around 4.3 percent of all new vehicle registrations in the opening four months of the year, to 13.3 percent in May. Compare that with the penetration achieved by electric vehicles – the models that mains-replenish – which was 0.94 percent for plug-in hybrids and 1.07 percent for full electrics.

While other hybrid product such as the Kia Niro and Hyundai Ioniq, have contributed to all of this, by far the biggest contribution has been from the Toyotas. 

But obviously the Prius, the model that started it all for hybrids, hasn’t figured much at all in this success. So what does this mean for the future of the car? Will it be retired?

Internationally, one opinion among the international media is that the Prius name is too iconic to be completely retired, so it may be saved by TMC for use on a future battery electric vehicle.

TNZ chief operating officer Neeraj Lala says he hasn’t heard any official word relating to the future of Prius.  That doesn’t worry him; he’s happy to see the model continue to remain on sale in New Zealand for those who want it – and he reminds that it is very popular as a taxi.

“More to the point is that Prius is the Toyota model that introduced hybrid motoring to New Zealand, and in that regard it has been a success,” he says.

“Look where Toyota is now. We have hybrid versions of almost all our passenger vehicles, and we will soon be adding to that – hybrid versions of the new Yaris and Yaris Cross, the Highlander larger SUV, and in around 18 months we’ll also get a hybrid version of the Hilux ute.”

CH-R in hybrid form would seem to provision a better kind of Prius … that it is also tracking strongly suggests the market recognises this.

Loan scheme gives new life to ghosts

Recipients of Highlanders loaned by Toyota as a small business assistance won’t need to run them in. That’s been well and truly taken care of.

 LOANING cars to struggling businesses potentially helps the country’s biggest brand ease a headache Covid-19 might hardly improve.

Toyota New Zealand’s intent to provision 100 Highlander sports utility vehicles to small businesses nationwide for a year’s free usage comes with a caveat it has been happy to discuss. To a point.

Though current models, small print with the Small Business Driver package clearly relates the 3.5-litre V6 seven-seaters in mid-level GXL trim are not as might be imagined: Brand-new examples of this $58,490 car.

What’s on offer is stock first registered in 2018 and likely to have 30,000km to 45,000km on the clock, apparently accrued from toting tourists. 

Plucked from the in-house Signature Class used vehicle processing programme, the Highlanders are from what is perceived within the broader industry to be a massive count of vehicles laid up in what could be called TNZ’s ‘ghost fleet’.

Which is? A raft of mainly ex-rentals the market leader has acquired through buy-back agreements far less common now and then parked up for months … perhaps years.

This the result of TNZ having been unable to push them through used car channels en mass, for fear of causing a glut that might collapse used car prices. 

Instead, they sit inactive in what has been derisively called, by rival brands, a ‘rental swamp’. Holding yards and warehouses. Some there for so long that – according to talk - registrations have retired, batteries depleted and tyres squared.

Industry lore relates enough vehicles are in a limbo to likely be costing the brand many thousands of dollars annually in upkeep and storage fees. Can that be true? 

TNZ has been asked on numerous occasions, including during compilation of today’s story, to offer clarification. Every request has been met the same way. With silence.

As much as chief executive officer Neeraj Lala was happy to share his enthusiasm about the loan scheme – which is, beyond doubt, a very generous opportunity – he declined to deal with a host of follow-up questions relating to the cars’ provenance and the state and size of the stockpile. 

The finer details of what’s on offer currently were passed on by a potential applicant who, while a little surprised by the cars’ suggested histories, was not particularly perturbed.

“A free car is a very generous offer, no argument. As it turns out, I don’t qualify because another of the stipulations is that you have to be a recipient of the Government’s wage subsidy, but it’s a good concept.”

An industry involver spoken to subsequently also thought the idea was interesting.

“It’s a rental swamp and the swamp needs draining ... this is what has to be done.

“They’re probably not making anything on it. But it at least gets some vehicles back on the roads and free of storage fees that, while quite cheap on a per day per car basis, soon adds up to a chunk of change when you’re talking big counts for long term.” 

‘Buy-back’ was said to be a core ingredient of when Toyota basically sought to corner the national fleet business, which some years accounts for up to 80 percent of new car sales. 

Since 2018 TNZ has sought to swing its focus back to private buyers with its Drive Happy programme that aims for fair pricing and says it has detuned the intensity and scale of its fleet push.

Even so, it still agrees to discount to large-scale purchasers and, as a glance around any airport carpark (at least pre-Covid) would confirm that, while other brands have come back into hirer circles, there are still a lot of Corollas, Highlanders and RAV4s behind those rental placards.

And 2018 appears to have been the last big year, with industry statistics showing 1660 Highlanders having gone into rental, whereas just 179 followed last year. The majority were GXL variants. 

Now, of course, there’s coronavirus, which has certainly dented the car trade and is doing those brands supplying rental providers no favours.

Distributors have been pressured to take back stock – often in as-new condition - now standing idle and waive delivery of incoming product.

That’s a big ask: June has historically been a big month for rental car fleet replenishment to cope with the tide of winter tourists. TNZ indicated recently it is challenged by this; it doesn’t want to upset core corporate clients, but neither can it afford to assume responsibility for pre-agreed consignments.

With the Highlanders, it’s not quite a matter of first in, first served: Only small businesses with fewer than 20 employees are eligible and applicants are vetted by a selection panel.

The scheme has been created in conjunction with MediaWorks, and includes a share of $1 million of advertising with the media company for successful applicants. 

Those interested in applying have until 11.59pm on June 9 to apply. 

Perhaps, at the end of the exercise, users might receive tasty opportunity to purchase the vehicles outright.

Of course, they have to weigh up the deal against the fuel costs. The V6’s taste for petrol is a core reason why the next-generation Highlander, coming next year, will only be offered as a four-cylinder hybrid.

Hilux unmasked - new look, more kit, extra grunt

Here it is, the updated Hilux. Would you trade a Supra for it?

 THEY’RE calling it the most technically-advanced ute ever offered by Toyota – so is that enough for the reinvigorated Hilux, unveiled internationally today, to at last wrest market leadership from its core rival, Ford Ranger?

Toyota New Zealand chief operating officer Neeraj Lala is understandably bullish about the updated variant, whose exact launch timing this year still has yet to be revealed, though Australia has signalled it will start receiving stock in August.

His enthusiasm is such that he has vowed to ditch his current company car, a GR Supra, for an example of the latest truck, which is incoming in four specification levels – Workmate, SR, SR5 and the range topping SR5 Cruiser, the latter available in both 2WD and 4WD and automatic only.

“I believe the performance of this truck is so good, I’ll be swapping out my GR Supra so we can tow our go kart trailer to my son’s weekend races. I can’t wait to see customers return to Hilux with this significant improvement,” says Lala.

Introducing two years after the ute’s last big refresh, the new line will also contain a special launch edition inspired by the recent success of the Hilux Gladiator. Lala says this edition, which he spoke to MotoringNZ about last month, will be “custom-built … for New Zealand customers and conditions.”

What isn’t mentioned in launch material is the variant some in the national media insisted was coming – though Lala always said it was not: A Gazoo Racing version, supposed with a twin turbo diesel.

So, what’s in store? Well, it’s a restyling exercise, with a bolder, tougher-looking exterior ‘on most variants’. And that  2.8-litre turbo diesel engine offers more power, achieves better cooling, resolves the diesel particulate filter issues and has better fuel efficiency than its predecessor. Ride comfort, towing and equipment levels also improve.

Maximum power has been increased by 20kW to 150kW – so, a 15.3 percent lift -  while peak torque on automatic models has been ramped up to 500Nm, which represents an 11.1 percent/50Nm improvement.

Fuel consumption also improves by up to 11.1 percent while tuned accelerator response delivers greater driver control. The six-speed automatic remains.

Suspension upgrades run to revised shock-absorber tuning, new bushings and improved leaf-spring design. Toyota claims a more comfortable ride, particularly over rough roads and with low loads while maintaining the model’s legendary off-road capabilities.

In 4x4 models with downhill-assist control, an additional traction control feature when using 2WD mode reroutes torque to assist grip in muddy or grassy conditions on worksites.

Towing capacity for automatic 4x4 variants has been upgraded to a maximum of 3500kg to match manual versions. On 4x2 variants, all diesel automatics are now rated at 2800kg, an increase of up to 300kg.

Revised exterior styling is intended to deliver a ‘tough, robust on-road presence’ that is intended to be more in keeping with the global Toyota ute/truck family. Particularly obvious is that large trapezoidal grille that dominates the front design and incorporates more pronounced horizontal elements that deliver a wider, more planted look.

Grille surrounds differ by grade while newly designed headlights are smaller for a "meaner" look and light clusters include LEDs on high grades.

Inside, all models have been upgraded to an 8-inch display screen with enhanced voice recognition and the latest smartphone integration functions, including the adoption at last of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher grades are also equipped with satellite navigation and digital radio.

A 4.2-inch multi-information display in the instrument binnacle incorporates a digital speed readout, among other new functions. Overseas reports speak of front and rear parking sensors, keyless entry and start, automatic air-conditioning and a nine-speaker JBL stereo system with an 800W eight-channel amplifier, plus accessories such as roller bed covers, a locking tailgate and a 12-volt power supply for the cargo bed.

Full NZ pricing and specifications are expected to be announced closer to launch.

RAV4 hybrid rising as market drops

New vehicle sales in May were down, but the leading player still had something to cheer about.

THE new vehicle market was down by around a third last month, but a big surge of interest in the RAV4 during that period has buoyed its distributor.

Toyota New Zealand says the crossover achieving 538 registrations to place as the top-selling car in May, when 8313 new vehicle registrations were accrued in total, also reveals a scenario that might outwardly might seem surreal given the market condition.

At a time when new vehicle sales are dropping, this car is in hot demand – so much so that anyone ordering one now won’t see it until perhaps July or August. 

Actually, it’s just the battery-assisted edition that’s on the ‘most wanted’ list. TNZ always knew the hybrid would be popular – it surged ahead at launch simply because every dealer wanted one as a demonstrator – but is impressed nonetheless that the private market is driving the car’s progress now.

And there’s another twist. The RAV4s that have been built for the rental market, which now wants out of new vehicle with international tourism now kaput, cannot be diverted to meet that demand, as hire companies only ordered the petrol pure variants.

In discussing the May count, TNZ chief operating officer Neeraj Lala says he has around 800 RAV4 hybrid pre-orders still unfulfilled. Most of those cars should be delivered in June, the remainder probably in July. 

All up, TNZ’s passenger volume in May is down around eight percent year-on-year, not so bad all things considered. What factors into this is that it was delivering cars ordered before lockdown.

As for what happens from now on? “Our new car inquiry rate is low,” he concedes. “But we have this incredible back order of deliveries, so for the next couple of months we will still look quite good. So, in that sense, it’s quite good. And the (ongoing) demand for hybrid RAV4 is simply phenomenal, a little bit unprecedented.” 

The Motor Industry Association, which speaks for distributors, has also signalled a degree of satisfaction with the May result, which though well off the same month last year, when 12,5259 cars and light commercials were sold, nonetheless represents a relatively decent post lockdown result, given the circumstances.

“The month of May re-opened for business albeit in a constrained manner,” noted chief executive David Crawford.

“It was a challenging month operating under alert level two and an economically depressed environment.”

Year-to-date the entire new vehicle market is down by 19,622 units, a 32 percent drop on the count for the same period of 2019.

Registrations of 5401 passenger and SUVs for last month were 29.2 percent (2223 units) below 2019 volumes while a commercial vehicle tally of 2912 units represents a 37.2 percent decrease.

After RAV4 the Ford Ranger installed as the second-strongest seller for May, though with 498 units, with another Toyota, the Hilux, nabbing third place, just 58 units behind. Lala was also stoked with that result.

Toyota was the overall market leader with 19 percent market share with 1611 units, followed by Holden, with nine percent (760 units) then Ford (eight percent, 702 units).

The MIA has joined those calling for the Government to bring the country to Level One Covid-19 restrictions “sooner rather than later.”

 Commented Crawford: “The MIA shares the views of many that with no new Covid-19 cases for the last 11 days and no known community spread for at least two months, we should be looking to move to alert level 1.

“The country is better prepared now to manage the odd case of Covid-19 should it arise. Our health system has improved significantly in terms of testing capability, contact tracing and hospital intensive care capacity.

“It is time to get our economy moving forward while maintaining our health gains.”

GR Corolla? Toyota NZ’s revved

The big sleep might be ending, with talk about Toyota reviving an old-school favourite. What’s the local distributor’s reaction?

SPECULATION about Toyota Japan prepping a Gazoo Racing version of the Corolla sounds sweet to a local brand boss.

When asked for his thoughts about the potential of any such programme, Toyota New Zealand chief operating officer Neeraj Lala was unequivocal: Bring it on.

 Talk about the potential of a GR Corolla that would be a direct heir to the celebrated 4AGE 1.6-twin cam AE86 and GT Corollas of the 1980s has re-emerged on strength of a tweet sent out by Toyota America to media.

A message relating that the NZ-confirmed baby GR Yaris hot hatch is not a starter Stateside, the American operation raised flags – and hopes – by adding “it’s time the U.S. got a hot hatch to call its own.” 

Commentators saw that as a green light for Corolla, purely on strength that the brand’s top seller is the only other conventional hatchback in the Toyota line-up.

Sounds thin? Well, then consider what might be construed from this sole comment from Lala: “We are working hard on confirming this model, and would love to have it here in NZ.”

Interesting choice of words, right? Does ‘confirming’ mean there’s definitely something going on? Or is this just mischief?

Let’s not forget Toyota America’s interest in the concept of a hot Corolla has already been delivered in exactly that form. The highly-modified one-off special pictured here was a one-off created for the 2018 SEMA show in Las Vegas. 

Certainly, Lala and other TNZ high-ups are huge fanboys for Akio Toyoda’s aggressive expansion plan for its GR (Gazoo Racing) high-performance road cars.

NZ was amongst the first export customers for the GR Supra that has revived the brand’s most famous sports car and is also in the queue for the upcoming GR Yaris, a quasi-homologation homage to its World Rally Championship car 

If and when a GR Corolla does arrive, then don’t be surprised if it borrowed heavily from the GR Yaris, including using the blitzer baby’s 200kW/370Nm turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine and all-wheel drive system.

In addition to Supra and Yaris, the GR clan will also include the next-generation 86 sports coupe – with the GR 86 nameplate – by the end of 2021 and also the GR Super Sport, a road-going version of the race car Toyota is creating to run in the Le Mans hypercar category expected to start in the 2021/22 season, though the category is looking precarious after Aston Martin froze its programme.

TNZ confirms Highlander in hybrid only

The V6 has served its purpose, but from now on petrol-electric efficiency makes more sense, distributor says.

EVERYTHING hinges on hybrid – that’s from Toyota New Zealand, in confirming today that the just-revealed next-generation Highlander will divest its V6 here and devote to petrol-electric purity.

Total commitment from TNZ to a new-to-type drivetrain that bumps a petrol V6 that continues in other markets and has been a mainstay here in the current and previous models is a safe call at the right time, local chief operating officer Neeraj Lala says. 

Pointing out that hybrids now account for one in three sales of new Toyota cars here, he said: “The introduction of another hybrid to our line-up further complements our focus on moving towards a low emission economy, while delivering our customers with a fuel-efficient large SUV.”

And that’s the whole point of the exercise. While the V6 models have been popular for their impressive power output, the engine has been increasingly tested to come up to speed in respect to economy.

That the current car has maintained healthy volume here has been increasingly due to its popularity as a rental car – where the seven-seat configuration lends favourability.

At same token, it has slipped in status with private buyers, to the point where Toyota and its fleet customers have found moving ex-rental stock into the used car forum a challenging exercise. All the more so, perhaps, now that the coronavirus crisis has destroyed tourism and thus forced operators into selling off stock.

“Toyota has now sold more than 15 million hybrid vehicles globally, including in excess of 17,000 in New Zealand,” Lala said.

"The all-new hybrid Highlander is the beneficiary of Toyota's global hybrid leadership, extensive experience in SUVs, and unrivalled reputation for quality, durability and reliability,"

On arrival in early 2021 the model will achieve immediate status as the first seven-seater hybrid SUV has had here with a Toyota badge – a distinction that separates it from the brand’s Lexus RX, which added a third row two years ago.
Married to a 2.5-litre petrol engine, it is of course a mild system – plug-in recharging has yet to enter the Toyota lexicon – and the cited total hybrid system power output is expected to be 179kW (whereas the new V6 has 218kW).  

The hybrid drivetrain marries to an intelligent AWD system that incorporates front and rear electric motors. The hybrid battery is located under the second-row seats.

The fourth-generation Highlander sits on the Toyota New Global Architecture GA-K platform, providing multiple benefits for dynamics, safety and styling, Lala says.

“The new Highlander is brand new from the ground up; a new platform for improved stability and handling, a new engine with class leading efficiency, new levels of safety and with a dynamic styling package.”

He says it will appeal as being “a significant improvement on the outgoing model, with improved efficiency and flexibility for families.”
Toyota says this has enabled engineers to develop a lightweight and highly rigid bodyshell with a low centre of gravity - features that provide the new SUV with nimble handling and comfortable driving around town and on the highway.

The new generation has advanced Toyota Safety Sense active safety technologies designed to help prevent or mitigate collisions across a wide range of traffic situations.

The new platform has also allowed designers to craft a longer, more distinctive body that delivers a more flexible interior with expanded cargo space and a more tailored ambience.

Toyota has sold more than 15 million hybrid vehicles globally.

New Highlander hybrid revealed

Here’s the new Toyota Highlander – but you won’t see it in the metal for a little while yet.

DETAILS about the hybrid system set to drive the next-generation Highlander have been revealed.

In giving insight into the new-to-type drivetrain that Toyota New Zealand has previously affirmed will be a sole choice, thus bumping a petrol V6 that continues in other markets, the brand has also provisioned a first look at the new styling.

The Palmerston North-based brand has yet to offer any comment on the car and its timing. Toyota Australia, whose launch timings general chime with ours, has said it is set to land in the first half of 2021.

This will be the first time a hybrid powertrain has been offered on new Highlander here. Married to a 2.5-litre petrol engine, it is of course a mild system – plug-in recharging has yet to enter the Toyota lexicon – and the cited total hybrid system power output is expected to be 179kW (whereas the new V6 has 218kW). 

Toyota also cites “excellent fuel economy and low emissions” without being too specific. The hybrid battery is located under the second-row seats.

The hybrid drivetrain marries to an intelligent AWD system that incorporates front and rear electric motors.

The fourth-generation Highlander sits on the Toyota New Global Architecture GA-K platform, providing multiple benefits for dynamics, safety and styling.

Toyota says this has enabled engineers to develop a lightweight and highly rigid bodyshell with a low centre of gravity - features that provide the new SUV with nimble handling and comfortable driving around town and on the highway.

The new generation has advanced Toyota Safety Sense active safety technologies designed to help prevent or mitigate collisions across a wide range of traffic situations.

The new platform has also allowed designers to craft a longer, more distinctive body that delivers a more flexible interior with expanded cargo space and a more tailored ambience.

Toyota has sold more than 15 million hybrid vehicles globally.

Hilux future: NZ specials, hybrid … but no racer V6

An update is due for Toyota NZ’s top-selling vehicle five years into its model life.

BESPOKE versions of Hilux tailored in New Zealand are likely to be offered.

Production of special, perhaps even one-off, editions will be undertaken by Toyota New Zealand at its Signature Series facility at Thames, which started out as an assembly plant but now operates as a refurbishment centre for used import and ex-fleet and rental NZ-new product. 

The Palmerston North-centred national new vehicle sales leader says any such models would be to special order and specified above the current SR5 Cruiser.

What has inspired the programme is positive customer reaction to a flamboyant design study the distributor commissioned, chief operating officer Neeraj Lala says. 

Based on a 4WD double cab Hilux SR5 and unveiled at the 2017 Mystery Creek Fieldays, the Gladiator (below) carried around $65,000 worth of modifications and accessories. It remained in TNZ’s fleet for two years before being auctioned in December, 2019, the new owner being a Taupo man who bid $81,000 and also traded a Landcruiser in on it.

Says Lala: “We figure there’s an opportunity to do more of this. It’s taking Hilux back to its roots, because there’s long been a tradition of individuals doing big improvements their Toyota utes.”

Further information about the special edition programme is to be aired when TNZ also breaks silence on what is coming with a big mid-life facelift for the current generation Hilux. 

What’s set to arrive is far more extensive than the 2018 update that improved TNZ’s strongest-selling product in 2019, with around 7000 registrations. 

Toyota Japan plans an international announcement on May 21.

The upgrade is expected to include substantial cosmetic changes plus a re-powering of the 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel, which currently develops 130kW of power and 450Nm of torque in automatic form and 130kW/420Nm in manual, and revisions to improve the diesel particulate filter.

It is also expected to receive mild revisions to the interior that will include an upgraded infotainment system that includes Apple Car Play and Android Auto.

Lala says he can offer no comment until May 21, explaining “we are bound by an embargo. 

What has particularly excited media are renderings that have been bounced around the internet for weeks that appear to expose the facelift design.

Purportedly sourced from an independent global Toyota exporter, Milele Motors, and based on leaked internal documents, the images suggest the upgrade delivers new LED headlamp design, a larger front grille inspired by US truck styling and revisions to the Hilux’s rear, plus new 18-inch alloy wheels at the high end and 17s for the outright workhorses.

Beyond those images, there has been further intense speculation that Toyota is also entertaining with this update a new GR – for Gazoo Racing – variant featuring a twin-turbo V6 diesel making perhaps 200kW/650Nm if not more.

One national provider has become particularly fixated, with speculation repeated as recently as yesterday, apparently based on musing published by an Australian online outlet. 

Fake news?

“New Zealand is not going to get a V6 twin-turbocharged diesel-powered Hilux ute,” says Lala.

The NZ outlet’s stories have resulted in TNZ’s call centre being hit by inquiry from customers asking what other information was available. Lala wishes the writer would simply pick up the phone and talk to him.

One big drivetrain revision that is set to involve with the current ute, but won’t be included in the facelift, is adoption of hybrid technology.

“We’re committed to focussing on lowering exhaust emissions throughout our vehicle fleet, and that includes the Hilux ute,” says Lala. 

“So far Toyota Motor Corporation has produced 15 million hybrids, so we know how to build them.

“In New Zealand we are already selling hybrids that can tow – the RAV4 SUV – so it’s no big step to acknowledge that a hybrid will feature in the current model lineup some time in the next 12 to 18 months.”

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Covid-19: National need could pep battered rental scene

The rental car scene has been massively disrupted but the coronavirus crisis won’t kill it, Toyota New Zealand contends.

 GREEN shoot opportunities, probability of continued national need and sheer resilience will keep some rental car operations going.

This proposal is from the chief operating officer of Toyota New Zealand, historically the largest provider of NZ-new vehicles and caught now in an unfolding sector crisis.

With fleet providers desperate to relinquish stock and new vehicle distributors into treading a fine line in wanting to help as best they can while also having to protect their own operations, it’s a tough time.

Yet Neeraj Lala believes all is not lost.

Speaking after a week in which providers’ and the industry have taken turns to express sometimes controversial views, he accepts it’s not at easy time.

Yet he has faith in the entrepreneurial spirit and dogged determination now being demonstrated by many players, not least lower-tier independents.

In wake of the Rental Vehicle Association proposing that tourism accounts for up to 80 percent of work, Lala proposes New Zealander hirers also present valuable support that will reprise and even grow.

So, insofar as the idea of a wholesale rental car industry collapse goes? He doesn’t buy it.

“I don’t expect it to collapse, per se. There is a significant portion of the rental market that is business and corporate and they still rely on regional travel.

“As we transition down through the (Covid-19 alert) levels, then regional travel will open back up. I don’t think air travel will be as significant.

“Yes, tourism and international travel is going to play a big part in terms of the new size of the fleets that some of the rental companies might have to carry.”

Yet the operators TNZ has been conversing with “are definitely not thinking that because tourism is over they are going to die.”

That’s not just the big-name brands but also some lower tier operations previously reliant on tourism alone. There are plenty of them; 40 in Queenstown alone, Lala says.

But these small set-ups have often been established by highly-entrepreneurial individuals. They’re inventive and imaginative and some are looking at reconfiguring their fleets into freight and delivery roles. He salutes that spirit. 

“An unintended consequence of what we are facing is that new industries and new companies are going to emerge.

“Freight and deliveries are going to be in higher demand than we realise. I heard just last week that there is one company already looking at re-utilising its fleet to enable one to two-hour deliveries of food.”

This didn’t surprise. “You have to remember that these people are very entrepreneurial. They are not just going to be happy to close the doors and die. They will be looking to diversify their fleet – especially if they cannot sell it – and turning it into something.

“I think it is going to be exciting..” 

Lala’s positivity is at odds with the RVA, which pulls no punches in determining the $700 million a year trade involving anything from 30,000 to 50,000 vehicles is serious trouble, with some notable names unlikely to survive.

As much as TNZ has been attempting to reduce its exposure to the rental market over the past two years, many of those favour Toyota vehicles.

The Palmerston North-headquartered operation provisioned around 7000 vehicles into that sector last year and had thousands more set to go out in coming months to meet the traditionally peak winter period.

Fortuitously some of a consignment locked in last October wasn’t built –Japan’s Covid-19 response caused a slowdown in production, so those yet to go down the line cancelled – yet about 30 percent of the consignment, still hundreds of vehicles worth several million dollars, is either already here or on the way.

Resolving what to do with them is under way, and some - particularly models subject to waiting list with private buyers - might yet divert, yet this matter will be as delicate to manage as the other issue of the moment: Being asked to buy back more vehicles than it can cope with. In respect to the latter Lala warns: “The industry’s, and the country’s problem, in regard to rental cars cannot simply become Toyota New Zealand’s problem.”

On top of this, coronavirus impacted when TNZ was already working to manage returning to the market an undisclosed, but thought to be significant, stockpile of ex-fleet and rental stock it had corralled when times were good. 

The challenge of reinstating to the market just those vehicles – some of which, insiders say, were mothballed for so long some were out of registration and requiring tyres and batteries - in a way that did not flood the used market was, in isolation, big enough.

The scenario that might yet emerge would be far bigger. The prospect of rental fleets, particularly the tier one operators with effectively brand-new cars, fire sailing their stock in bulk is not palatable.

As much as sudden and unrestricted availability of an avalanche of effectively ‘as-new’ vehicles, likely at highly-discounted prices, might seem good for any consumer in position to snatch a great deal, it could cause massive disruption within the new car sector.

The potential for this was seemed to be hinted by RVA chief executive Pim Borrens’ when he complained to national media that distributors were using ‘force majeure’ clauses to renege on buy-back agreements.

Lala says that’s not exactly fair. In respect to how TNZ operates, there’s no legal obligation. Rather, TNZ cites as being amenable to being first in line for taking vehicles as and when they become available.

But TNZ has been pulling back on this. The pre-coronavirus stockpile, Lala said, reflected that “in the past five years we have probably taken back more than we have needed. That’s one of the reasons why we have turned the volume back these past two years.”

The glut reflected that some models popular as rentals were sometimes less so as private vehicles. The Highlander sports utility being a good example.

Lala can understand why rental companies are trying to ‘de-fleet’ and he says TNZ is doing the best it can to help achieve that. 

Yet “the difference between what the rental companies want us to take back, and what we can take back is substantial.

“I cannot call it an obligation because it is not an obligation. The rental companies who feel I should be buying back all of their cars … the expectation that Toyota will fund the whole thing and rescue the whole industry is … well, that’s just not realistic or feasible.

“We want to respect the relationships we have – some go back three decades - and are trying to do that by taking as many cars as we can.” Yet if operators were simply going to divest in large scale “it is just going to drop the residual values that we have calculated going in.”

“I cannot afford to have 30-40 months’ stock of Corolla. Normally I would have normally taken 50 percent of that (first tier rental) volume and pumped it into tier two, three or four.” That wasn’t going to happen now so TNZ had to mitigate its risk. 

As much as Toyota remains a big rental involver, and potentially the most dominant by volume, it no longer by any means owned the scene, and plenty of distributors were involved once again. However, he agreed, even if TNZ dropped out completely, it would still retain overall new car market leadership.

David Crawford, chief executive of the Motor Industry Association which speaks for new car distributors, has expressed disappointment the RVA spoke out last week.

“The Rental Vehicle Association is, of course, trying to represent its member’s view and plight in a way that helps that sector, but this is only one side of a commercial arrangement.”

Borren did not reply to requests for comment.

Yaris Cross for hot compact sector

Toyota has revealed the Yaris Cross and suggested there’s a chance it might hit NZ before Xmas.

THAT funky looking baby Toyota crossover you had your heart set on?

Good news. It might yet be here by Xmas. With emphasis on the word ‘might’.

In tandem with Toyota’s overnight international unveiling of the Yaris Cross, Toyota New Zealand has re-stated intent to have the car on sale before the end of 2020.

However, it shouldn’t be taken as a absolute hard and fast promise, the exact quote being: “Toyota New Zealand expects to introduce this model towards the end of 2020.” So, if you’re aching to have one as a Christmas pressie … maybe also consider a Plan B.

That timeframe is months behind the original expectation, but is pretty good effort nonetheless if achieved.

This car, remember, was likely the world’s first automotive victim of coronavirus, having been pulled last minute from being revealed at the Geneva Motor Show in the first week of March. Sorry, make that the virtual Geneva show, because the actual event was also cancelled days before opening by … well, the same thing. 

At that time, too, the brand was so publicly pessimistic about the production timeframes it left impression right-hand-drive markets might not see it until 2021. Which might, of course, still be the case, given that most of the major RHD recipients are reporting just that timeframe.

Let’s hope for TNZ’s sake it makes the boat this year. Even though the new car market is heading toward massive bust – with prediction of being at least 40 percent down on last year – after some really good years, the small crossover and sports utility sector had really been hitting its stride prior to Covid-19 lockdown. Conceivably, then, if any cars are going to be sold, the chances of them being from this category have to be fairly good, not least when it has the extra twists of a hybrid drivetrain and a high tech all-wheel-drive.

The car’s make-up has been touched upon before, but just to recap: It’s a crossover built on the same 'GA-B' compact car platform as the imminent new fourth-generation Yaris hatchback. It promises more space, increased ride height and even the option of four-wheel drive. With a twist: It’s an electric motor-driven system.

Today’s photos are of the hybrid in flagship form, on 18-inch wheels that provide a nice finishing touch to a styling that’s neatly adopts the same wheelarch shape and rising door sill detailing that have taken the RAV4 to new heights. An upright nose and vent design, sharp creasing and high-tech lighting also mark it out as a street cred champion.

In terms of size, the Yaris Cross sits on the same wheelbase as the new Yaris, but is actually 240 millimetres longer. A bigger proportion of that has been added behind the rear wheels (180mm), which should mean a larger boot. It is also 20mm wider (presumably due to the arches) and 90mm higher. And, usefully, it has 30mm more ground clearance, too.

At 390 litres, the boot volume is a touch more than the equivalent Yaris hatch. The rear seat backs split 40:20:40 and there's a variable boot floor arrangement to help make the most of the space. A powered tailgate will apparently be available.

About that all-wheel-drive. Toyota calls it 'AWD-i', for intelligent. It certainly is. The system uses an electric motor to turn the rear wheels, supplementing the regular powertrain up front in the car. Apparently, it operates when pulling away from rest and accelerating, but otherwise only when traction at the front axle is limited.

Yaris Cross has the same powertrain choices as the hatch, meaning 1.0- and 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engines. TNZ has previously explained that its focus is on the latter, which is, according to the maker, more thermally efficient than a typical diesel engine. This further fuels the claim that the hybrid edition is 20 percent more efficient than the engine in the outgoing Yaris Hybrid. The brand says it also seemingly has the 'world's fastest combustion speed'. Does that translate into decent low-down torque?

Nothing has been revealed about the hybrid side’s electric motor, save that it is lighter and more compact than before, in part through it eschewing a nickel-metal hydride battery for a 27 per ent lighter lithium-ion item, which also allows more power to the motor more often. Maximum system power is quoted at 76kW. Toyota also says that the CO2 figures are 120g/km for the front-drive model and 135g/km for the AWD, on WLTP assessment.

The spec? A lot has to be finalised, but the car has been configured to offer a large wireless device charger, heated steering wheel and big head-up display. Touchscreen infotainment is likely to be present on most versions, as is a generous suite of active safety functions, under the 'Toyota Safety Sense' umbrella.

Toyota all but disappears from rental action

Where are the rentals, Toyota?

LATEST new vehicle registration statistics from the Motor Industry Association indicate Toyota New Zealand has gone from dominating the national rental vehicle industry to barely figuring.

Last year more than 9000 Toyotas were registered as rental vehicles – an average of 750 a month.

  The dominant vehicles were the Corolla which took a massive 20 percent share of the rental sales with 3990 registrations, followed by the RAV4 (1963 registrations), Camry (809) and Yaris (751).

But so far this year, the Toyota brand has all but disappeared from the rental scene.

MIA statistics show just nine Hilux utes and seven Hiace vans were registered as rentals last month. Year to date to the end of March just 114 Toyotas have been registered – 80 of them Yaris hatchbacks, the remainder Hilux. Yaris is on runout with a new model coming soon.

Absent were Corollas, RAV4s, Camrys, Prados and Fortuners. All were dominant models in last year’s rental rego statistics.

Sources within the rental industry say it’s a direct result of a new Toyota New Zealand policy to not offer big discounts for bulk purchases of its product. This change would add to rental companies’ costs of holding Toyota vehicles in their fleets, so they have chosen not to buy them.

As a result, it’s now the Mitsubishi ASX that is the top-selling rental vehicle with 200 registrations so far this year, followed by the Holden Trax, Ford Ranger ute and the Suzuki Swift.

TNZ’s chief operating officer Neeraj Lala said the very low volume of rental sales is the result of the company slowly moving out of the rental business for the past two years.

“We’ve been reducing our rental volume in an effort to make our business more sustainable overall,” he said.

“Our strategy is to be a business with a full value chain, involving both new and used product. As our product has become more sophisticated, with a strong emphasis on low-emission hybrid vehicles, the cost of some of that product has gone up which has meant that some parts of the chain have become less viable.

“To deal with this, we won’t discount. That includes to the rental industry.” 

Despite Toyota dipping out of the rental sector, its product remains highly popular overall.

Last month the RAV4 was the country’s most popular passenger vehicle, with 318 of them registered in a sales environment hammered by the effects of the Covid-19 shutdown. And Corolla ran second with 240 sales.

But now, the company is anticipating very harsh trading conditions for the next few months because of the corona virus pandemic.

“As a result, we’ve asked our bosses in Japan to put our April shipment on ice for a month,” said Lala.

The implications of coronavirus for New Zealand’s tourism industry are dire; it appears increasingly likely that pain is going to also be felt by rental vehicles providers. Gaining comment has so far proven impossible, as major rental companies’ offices seem to be closed.

Yet some are suggesting it will be no surprise if there are far fewer rental operators by year-end than there are now.