Toyota iQ Pure-Electric Prototype is presented

The Geneva Motor Show in March will host the European debut of an all-electric prototype of the Toyota iQ. A flat, newly developed and compact lithium-ion battery mounted under the car's floor powers the electric motor of the iQ EV. Toyota informed that the battery pack did not reduce the passenger space or the regular iQ's load area and its potential driving range reaches up to 105 km or 65 miles. Offering a potential market launch through a leasing programme, this EV prototype is currently being tested on European roads, also investigating its viability in other regions. The car is expected to be brought in the USA and is going to join three more new models at the firm's Geneva Salon stand, incorporating the Yaris HSD hybrid concept, a closer production concept of the FT-86 rear-wheel drive coupe and the European market variant of the Prius+ minivan with seven seats.

Toyota Adding U.S. Transmission Capacity

Toyota made the announcement with Governor Earl Ray Tomblin, U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller, U.S. Representative Shelley Moore Capito, Toyota management and team members in attendance.

 

Toyota Motor Manufacturing West Virginia, Inc. (TMMWV) currently builds 6-speed transmissions for V6 engine models including the Avalon, Camry, Lexus RX350, Sienna and Venza.

 

The expansion will bring TMMWV’s annual transmission capacity to nearly 400,000.  The expansion raises total employment to approximately 1,100 and total plant investment to $1.26 billion.

 

Similarly, Bodine Aluminum facilities in Jackson, Tenn. and Troy, Mo. will also add capacity to support TMMWV.  Start of production at all three facilities is projected by the end of 2012.

 

The two Bodine Aluminum plants will provide transmission cases and housing parts to the West Virginia plant.  The expansion will increase Bodine’s capacity by more than 320,000 units annually representing approximately 20 new jobs and an $8.4 million investment.