Toyota drives toward harmony

Toyota, the Japanese carmaker that has become a favorite among Korean car lovers for its practical yet sleek Camry, is out to pursue “harmony” with its newest lineup of cars unveiled at the Seoul Motor Show last week.

“We’re all about harmony ― harmony between different generations and harmony between all types of roads, including on and off,” said Toyota Motor Korea chief executive Tommy Nakabayashi, in Korean no less, during the presentation last week to showcase Toyota’s newest toys.

Among the 11 types of models introduced were the next-generation RAV4, the Avalon ― currently Toyota’s flagship in the U.S. ― the FT-Bh and the FJ Cruiser. 

The RAV4, the fourth generation of the crossover SUV by the carmaker that became lighter in weight, was definitely the talk of the show. Toyota will start receiving preorders for the vehicle in May, Toyota said.

The FT-Bh, meanwhile, the first next-generation hybrid from Toyota unveiled in Korea, wowed the audience with a fuel efficiency of 48 kilometers per liter.

Toyota Korea has set a sales goal of 18,000 vehicles this year, including 11,000 for Toyota and 7,000 for Lexus, about 15 percent growth from last year’s sales of 15,771.

It shocked the markets last year with its record-high sales of the Camry, a feat that earned it recognition by journalists across the country in an award ceremony last year for best imported car of the year.

By Kim Ji-hyun  (jemmie@heraldcorp.com)