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automotive dealer network in the country.
www.gmc.com.
First Canadian program will test the
all-new Prius Plug-In Hybrid under realworld
operating and climate conditions
as part of Toyota’s global trials
The need for sustainable transportation is greater
than ever,and as Toyota continues to prepare for
transportation that relies on less fossil fuel,today
it announced the first phase of a national Canadian
partnership for real-world demonstrations of
the all-new Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid vehicle
(Prius PHV).
Compared to traditional hybrids,the Prius PHV
has the ability to recharge its newly developed
lithium-ion battery from the electrical grid and
travel longer distances and at faster speeds on
electric-power alone.For consumers,this technology
means fuel savings and lower emissions,
bringing us closer than ever before to the ultimate
eco-car.
Toyota Canada Inc.(TCI) is working with 13
partners on the first phase of this national trial,
including academics,provincial government
departments,municipalities and provincial power
authorities.Partnerships in four provinces –
British Columbia,Manitoba,Ontario and Québec –
make this the first Canadian trial of advanced
technology vehicles.
“We’re encouraged to be joined by partners,
from across the stakeholder spectrum,to ensure a
successful introduction of plug-in vehicles to
Canada,”noted Sandy Di Felice,Director,External
Affairs at TCI.“Each province that is a part of this
national trial has already shown great vision in
planning for plug-in vehicles.”
TCI will provide each province with a Prius
PHV to conduct their local test program,and a
fifth Prius PHV will remain with TCI for its own
technical and marketing tests.Trials will begin
shortly and continue through next winter to
assess Prius PHV performance under a range of
driving and climate conditions.
Each test vehicle will be fitted with a telematics
device to capture performance data,and
partners are encouraged to drive their Prius PHV
in as many road,traffic and weather conditions
as possible.
Based on the world’s most popular hybrid
vehicle,the Toyota Prius PHV is designed to deliver
a range of more than 20 KM and top speed of
almost 100 KPH on battery alone.In addition,a
small onboard Atkinson-cycle gasoline engine
enables the vehicle to revert to hybrid mode and
operate like a regular Prius – giving the vehicle
the driving range and performance Canadians
demand from today’s automobiles.
“We’re pleased that Canada has been selected
as one of the participating countries for Toyota’s
global test of the Prius PHV.This enables us to conduct
technical and market acceptance tests
unique to Canada’s driving experiences and climatic
conditions,”Ms.Di Felice concluded.
“Moreover,feedback from the Canadian tests will
help ensure the Prius PHV performs well in any
country where drivers encounter cold temperatures,ice
and snow.”
Lexus Announces CT 200h Premium
Compact Hybrid for Canadian Market
Lexus has announced that the all-new CT 200h
premium compact hybrid will go on sale in Cana-
da in early 2011 as the first dedicated hybrid vehicle
in the premium compact segment.
The sporty five-door was on display March 31
through April 11 at the 2010 New York International
Auto Show.The new CT 200h debuted at
the2010GenevaAutoShowinearlyMarch
and will join the HS 250h as Lexus’second dedicated
hybrid.
“The Lexus CT 200h hybrid will not only
deliver the full hybrid ownership experience in
terms exceptional fuel economy and reduced
emissions,it will also inject new style and excitement
to the luxury marketplace,”says Larry
Hutchinson,Director of Lexus.“With new levels of
attitude and personality,the CT 200h will appeal
to a younger group of urban,environmentallyminded
Canadian luxury drivers.”
Ford Is Winning More New Customers
From Competing Brands, Fueling
Market Share Gains
Ford Motor Company is increasingly attracting
customers who are trading in vehicles from
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competing brands,one of the keys to Ford’s recent
market share gains in U.S.
For the Ford brand,the rate of customers who
traded in competitive brand vehicles rose 18 per
cent from 2005 to 2009.The conquest rate for Lincoln
rose 61 per cent,while Mercury saw a 12 per
cent increase from the 2005 to 2009 model year.
“We’re finding that when customers of
competing brands check out our new lineup and
understand the quality,fuel efficiency and value
we offer,they are increasingly becoming Ford
owners,”said Ken Czubay,Ford vice president of
Marketing,Sales and Service.“The strength of our
new products is making the difference in a very
competitive marketplace.”
Among Ford vehicles,the Fusion Hybrid,
Escape Hybrid and Mustang attract the most
customers who trade in competing brands.For
example,more than 60 per cent of trade-ins for
the Fusion Hybrid were non-Ford vehicles.More
than 50 per cent of trade-ins for the Ford Mustang
were competitive brands.
The redesigned Ford Taurus showed the
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biggest increase in attracting new customers to
the Ford brand between 2005 and 2009.
For the Lincoln and Mercury brands,the
Mercury Mariner Hybrid and Lincoln MKX attracted
the most customers from competing brands.
“We’re seeing customers from competing
brands in the showroom that we haven’t seen in a
long time,if ever,”said Kevin Collins,president and
owner of the Bill Collins Ford,Lincoln and Mercury
dealership in Louisville,Ky.“Customers have been
looking at our products for two reasons.They are
impressed with Ford products’quality improvement,and
they are pleasantly surprised with our
entire lineup.Ford is back on their shopping list.”
Winning new customers from competing
brands has been a key to Ford’s ability to gain
market share in the U.S.Ford gained U.S.market
share in 2009,its first full-year market share gain
since 1995.Ford has now gained market share for
16 of the past 17 months. ■
May 23-26, 2010 — Baltimore, MD USA
www.RADTECH2010.com
APRIL 2010 CANADIAN FINISHING & COATING MANUFACTURING 29