New models, racing, optimistic growth forecasts – Toyota’s 2022 plans were revealed today at the annual Toyota State of the Motoring Industry conference.
The raft of new models play to both ends of the market – top end Lexus LX, LS Hybrid and Lexus NX join new iterations of old favourites; Toyota GR Hilux, RAV4 Hybrid VX, Corolla Cross GR, 86 GR and Supra GR.
In announcing the year’s plans Toyota CEO Andrew Kirby underlined the success of Corolla Cross and forecast an optimistic sales target of 540 000 units for 2022, an increase of some 75 000 over 2021. Those 2021 figures broke down well for the Japanese manufacturer; Agya took a 10 percent share of its segment, Starlet 15 percent, Urban Cruiser 23 percent in the B SUV segment, Hilux 36 percent and the popular Corolla Cross a whopping 39 percent share, with 3509 sales in November and December, 50 percent of which was hybrid.
Both Kirby and Leon Theron, Senior Vice President for Sales and Marketing, emphasised the importance of those hybrid drivetrains in the coming year. Full electric was ‘still some way away’ given the local environment and the company’s short-term alternative energy drives would be on hybrid systems.
Capitalising on the popular GR brand would also be an important 2022 pivot; Hilux, Corolla Cross, Supra and 86 all get the red and black Gazoo Racing treatment.
Toyota also announced the launch of two racing initiatives, the GR Yaris Cup series and a karting youth training programme.
