Hybrid cavalcade to visit Wimmera
Horsham and Stawell Toyota dealerships will host a leg of the company’s Hybrid Roadshow next week to showcase how its six-vehicle fleet is ‘changing the game’.
Toyota Australia pioneered the introduction of the world’s first Toyota Hybrid, the Prius, into Australia in 2001, and its hybrid vehicle range has been growing ever since.
On Tuesday, the company’s now six-model hybrid fleet will be available for inspection and test driving from 9am to 3pm in Horsham and 5pm to 7pm in Stawell.
Horsham Toyota sales manager Peter Jenkin said the roadshow was primarily educational, aiming to offer Wimmera
drivers an opportunity to learn about the value and advantages of hybrid technology.
He said in recent months there had been much discussion about pure electricpowered vehicles, including concern about range, infrastructure for recharging and initial cost.
Mr Jenkin said the Toyota hybrid range – a hybrid vehicle being a combination of petrol and electric power – was a great option for escaping these disadvantages.
“The Toyota Hybrid range basically overcomes these concerns with a combination of petrol and electric power, providing similar or more power than a petrol engine, great economy and therefore better range than a similar petrol vehicle, and only a small premium on the purchase price of the vehicle,” he said.
“The hybrid vehicles have only minimal differences as far as operation is concerned, and it is basically just a matter of driving the car as you would any other car.
“The hybrid system operates seamlessly, switching between the different power sources with no input from the driver.”
Mr Jenkin said the event would also feature educational games and prizes for attendees.
He encouraged anyone wanting to test drive a specific vehicle to call their respective dealership beforehand and book their preferred time to ensure the vehicle is available.