NEW HILUX OFF TO A GOOD START
I n the first four weeks it was on sale Toyota dealers around the country sold more than 1900 of its new 2021 Hilux models.
Toyota New Zealand Chief Executive Officer, Neeraj Lala said one month does not define success, however, the initial demand has been phenomenal across both fleet and private customers.
“Delivering 731 new Hilux to customers was a big effort by our Toyota Stores, however, delivering the additional 1,200 vehicles over the next six weeks will be a challenge given supply and logistics constraints,” says Neeraj.
“Demand for Hilux accessories is also exceeding all our initial expectations as customers continue to invest heavily in customising their own Hilux.”
So far this year, Toyota New Zealand has sold 4,720 Hilux in both 2WD and 4WD variants. It is proving to be the company’s highest selling vehicle by volume; the second best-selling Toyota is the RAV4, of which 4,443 have been sold in 2020. The two models occupy the second and third highest slots of all new vehicles sold in New Zealand this year.
Overall, Toyota remains the country’s leading new passenger and commercial vehicle provider with a 17.7 percent market share, almost twice its nearest competitor. It leads the passenger car segment with a 16.5 percent share and is second in the commercial market with a 20.9 percent share.
While the total commercial new vehicle market was down 26.4 percent in the 10 months to the end of October, Toyota performed better than all its major competitors with a decrease of 18.8 percent.
Neeraj said the Hilux result in October and the leading market share position was a result of the combination of excellent product development, targeted marketing and sheer hard work by the Toyota store network.
“Despite our position in the market, we are not being complacent about anything – especially in this current uncertain economic environment. Everyone in our team is working harder and smarter to ensure our business here continues to thrive,” he says.
“Our investment over recent years into IT systems, people development, and the Toyota Drive Happy Project has created a resilient business for these challenging times.”
W ith the move to Tiny Houses and to declutter our lives, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles might indeed be onto something with its new ‘mini camper’ model, the Caddy Beach.
The new Mini-camper is based on the all-new fifth generation Caddy and boasts a host of new features. One example is the entirely new bed concept that has been redeveloped to offer greater versatility.
Since 2005, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has been selling a compact mobile home based on the Caddy as a standard production model. And from the outset, the aim has been to retain everyday utility and to design the fittings such as storage bags and bed area to be removable.
This is also true of the latest generation. The small brother of the California is an absolute all-rounder, intended for all who seek maximum flexibility from their car, so that they can embark on the occasional spontaneous micro-adventure.
One of the new highlights is the opportunity to gaze at the stars through the 1.4m3 panoramic glass roof before dozing off. Those who prefer to sleep in the dark or wish to avoid being woken by the sun in the morning can of course also darken all of the windows, including the glass roof.
Ensuring comfort while sleeping on the almost twometre-long bed, meanwhile, are disc spring elements, as used in the beds of the California or Grand California as well.
Cleverly stowed in the rear area pair of lightweight camping chairs and table from the California models. The two practical storage bags can be taken inside the home for easy loading. They also serve as privacy screens inside the vehicle when fastened in the rear window sections.
The new Caddy features 19 assistance systems for comfort and safety while travelling. Included among them is Travel Assist, which for the first time ever enables assisted driving in a Volkswagen commercial vehicle over the entire range of speeds. Also new in the Caddy and familiar from the Crafter and the T series are Trailer Assist, which makes reverse manoeuvring with a trailer significantly easier, as well as the Side-Assist and Rear Traffic Alert.
Like the driver assistance systems, the Caddy’s new four-cylinder turbo-diesel engines are also innovative. They are from the next stage of engine evolution, fulfil the 2021 Euro 6 emissions standards and are all fitted with particulate filters.
Also being used for the first time in the TDI units – which have power outputs between 55kW and 90 kW
– is the new twin dosing system. Via two SCR catalytic converters and hence double AdBlue injection, the nitrogen oxide (NOx) emission levels are significantly reduced in comparison to the previous model, making the Caddy’s TDI engines among the cleanest diesel engines in the world. Also efficient and sustainable is a turbocharged petrol engine (TSI) delivering 84 kW.
SOLAR POWER in modern off-roading has never been more popular as enthusiasts endeavour to extract as much power as possible in order to have their batteries primed and ready to support their adventures.
In order to run an efficient solar set up there are a number of components that need to be present and working. A Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) solar regulator is integral to the efficiency of any solar set up.
With MPPT, solar output is optimised by using the maximum current possible at the required voltage to continuously extract all the power available from the panel. It is particularly useful in varying and low light level situations, such as cloud cover or dusk/dawn. The solar regulator will automatically adjust and find the new point at which the solar cell delivers its maximum power output.
In a nutshell this means less charging time and increased free camping capabilities.
With a double channel aluminium frame and tempered glass coating, Redarc’s Fixed solar panels are designed with terrain in mind and can withstand the harshest conditions and extreme weather.
Portable Folding Solar Panels feature A-grade Monocrystalline cell technology and adjustable lightweight legs allowing them to be angled towards the sun and moved as required. Included is a 5m Anderson to Anderson cable, so you can leave the panels in the sun while setting up camp in the shade.
For more flexibility, Solar Blankets are highly portable and lightweight so can be easily moved around to capture the maximum amount of sunshine. They also include genuine Anderson SB 50 plug connectors to allow for a quick and easy set-up.
Redarc’s in-vehicle BCDC Dual range has attracted a reputation for charging batteries to a proven 100 percent by taking power from DC and solar inputs simultaneously. Similarly, both the BCDC and the Manager30 are equipped with Green Power Priority, meaning they will always choose to charge first from 12-volt solar power when it is available.
Both also feature in-built MPPT solar regulators so when coupled with their range of fixed solar panels, portable folding solar panels or solar blankets they provide the ultimate off-grid power set-up.
Solar is an effective way to charge an auxiliary battery while off-grid. With several different panel and charger options there’s something for almost every budget and set-up.