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Quake rocks Prius+
Earthquake disrupts plans for Prius MPV in Australia
By RON HAMMERTON
PRODUCTION dislocation due to the
Japanese earthquake in March is messing
with plans by Toyota Australia to lock in
its fi rst family-friendly hybrid vehicle, the
Prius+ people-mover.
The seven-seat Prius has just been
formally launched alongside its fi ve-seat
twin, the Prius V, under a new sub-brand –
Prius Alpha – in Japan, where Toyota dealers
are holding 25,000 pre-sale orders.
But, in the same breath, Toyota Motor
Corporation has warned Japanese customers
they might have to cool their heels a little
longer for the two vehicles while its factories
play catch-up from the March 11 earthquake
and tsunami.
The same production dislocation is also
hampering Toyota Australia’s efforts to fi rm
up plans for the Prius+, which it wants to
sell alongside the standard fi ve-seat Prius in
this market.
Toyota Australia spokesman Chris Parker
told GoAuto: “Because of the Japanese
quake, production hasn’t been confi rmed, so
The Company
Regent Motors Pty Ltd is a longstanding,
privately owned automotive business in Western
Australia. Our key business partners include
Toyota, Nissan, Ford, Mitsubishi, Isuzu Ute,
Proton and Chery. We employ over 250
personnel across 4 sites and have acquisitive
growth planned. We strive to provide
employees with ongoing opportunities to
challenge themselves and develop and grow
their career.
Galleria Toyota in Morley employs 65
personnel across all areas of Dealership
Operations. As a proud member of the
global Toyota family we openly promote and
embrace the “continuous improvement”
philosophy of “Kaizen” in all that we do. We are
constantly revising and reviewing our systems
and processes to improve the customer’s
purchase and ownership experience.
everything is still under investigation at the
moment.”
Overseas reports suggest the combination
of battery pack shortages caused by the
earthquake and strong initial demand in the
Japanese domestic market is expected to
delay exports.
The Detroit News said customers might
have to wait up to a year for delivery, as
Toyota can build only 3000 units a month.
However, the Prius+ – revealed at the
Geneva motor show in March – is still a
chance for the Australian International
Motor Show in Melbourne in July, if TMC
gives the car the thumbs up for Australia.
So far, Toyota Australia has confi rmed it
will display yet another hybrid, the Prius C
compact hatch concept, at the show, along
with its new rear-drive, boxer-engined sports
coupe, the FT-86.
“For the Melbourne motor show, we have
defi nitely confi rmed Prius C, but we have
asked for a range of cars,” Mr Parker said.
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
The Position
This is a unique opportunity for a
Dealer Principal to have equity in a well
established Toyota Dealership. In your
capacity as Dealer Principal, Director
and Shareholder you will be responsible
to the Board of Directors. You must have an
unrelenting focus on driving the business
daily, developing high performance teams and
delivering exemplary customer service.
You will be responsible for each department
achieving its mutually agreed nancial
objectives as well as ensuring the Dealership
exceeds all business benchmarks and
manufacturer targets.
Ultimately you will provide the vision,
inspiration and professionalism required
to successfully lead Galleria Toyota in
driving growth whilst building strong
key stakeholder partnerships.
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May 18, 2011 Page 4
Toyota’s FT-86 coupe
set for Melbourne show
By MARTON PETTENDY
TOYOTA has offi cially confi rmed its
slick new rear-drive FT-86 boxer coupe
for Australia, but appears to be hedging its
bets on a release date.
The FT-86 II concept was last week
confi rmed to make its Australian debut
at the Melbourne motor show on July 1,
before the production version hits local
showrooms “in the second half of 2012 or
the fi rst half of 2013”.
The fi rst rear-drive Toyota since the
MR2 was due to roll off Toyota’s Japanese
production lines in mid-2012, making an
October 2012 local on-sale date the most
likely given the traditional three-month
delay between Japanese production and
Australian release.
Just two months ago at the Geneva
motor show in March, Toyota Australia
spokesman Mike Breen told GoAuto the
production FT-86 would go on sale here
in 18 months with a sharper-than-expected
base price target of less than $35,000.
“We would like it to be in the early
$30,000s,” said Mr Breen at the time.
“That’s where we would like it to be (but
it) doesn’t mean it will be there. Eighteen
months away, it is a little too far out to say
it will be this or it will be that.”
FULL STORY: CLICK HERE
The Dealer Principal
You will have experience as a Dealer Principal/General Manager in a large volume
dealership and have an excellent reputation in Dealership Management. If you
have the desire, capacity and capability to be an equity owner but do not have the
opportunity to have a nancial interest in your current position, this opportunity is for
you. Investment options will be discussed to acquire a 20% share.
You must be able to demonstrate considerable retail experience at Dealer Principal
level with consistent high-target achievement. You will also be a strong leader,
highly organised and able to implement policies and procedures in line with group
guidelines.
You will be an enthusiastic, outgoing and tenacious person who possesses a
winning attitude. Additionally you will demonstrate the ability to be innovative and to
develop and implement strategies to excel. You will have strong communication skills
and exceptional negotiation skills.
All applications will be treated in the strictest of con dence and should
be directed to Tyson Sutton on Tysons@regentmotors.com.au
or on 0448 887 111.
051711-282