The COVID-19 pandemic has brought on strict measures to prevent and stop the spread of the coronavirus. Although the authorities have eased the restrictions, large gatherings are still not allowed. Therefore, while many activities can be run, the general public cannot attend and have to watch via broadcasts over the internet.
The TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Festival (TGR Festival) is no exception. This has been an annual affair for the past few years, an event held in different parts of the country with racing, entertainment and fun for the family as its key elements. However, this year, the first round of the fourth season at the Sepang International Circuit this weekend will not be open to the general public.
One of the races in a previous round of the Vios Challenge.
In accordance with the requirements of the health authorities, a ‘Sports Bubble’ will be initiated for those who are allowed to participate but racing fans and the public nationwide will watch the TGR festival online via Toyota’s website and social media platforms on the internet.
“The concept of the event remains unchanged, only the manner in which it reaches out to the public in these extraordinary and challenging times. The TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Festival has primarily been about bringing motorsports to the masses and we will continue to do this,” said UMW Toyota Motor’s President, Ravindran K.
“The people who have come to the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Festival over the past 3 seasons have done so for many different reasons. Some come for the racing, others for the chance to spend time with their favourite celebrities, and there are those who are there for the many different on-ground activities and attractions. Moving forward, it is imperative we continue with this even if it means going online, as this is what has fundamentally made the festival unique and a huge success,” he said.
While the on-ground atmosphere will be void of fans and public presence, Mr. Ravindran said the ‘silver lining’ is that the opportunity to livestream the TGR Festival for the entire race weekend would reach out to an even larger and wider audience, including racing fans outside of Malaysia, all of whom can watch the action from the comfort and safety of their homes.
The rookies in the GAZOO Racing Young Talent Development Program.
This new season sees an expansion of the racing activities with four, instead of three classes. Besides the Sporting Class, Super Sporting Class and Promotional Class, there will also be the new Rookie Class. This will see 6 newcomers who are graduates of the GAZOO Racing Young Talent Development Program. Identified for their potential, they are stepping up from karting and simulator to making their debut in saloon car racing and have been provided with professional training to prepare them for a new ‘career’.
The Promotional Class, always a crowd favourite as popular local celebrities take part, also has three newcomers – Talitha Tan, Zizan Razak and Ahirine Ahirudin. In between races, the 10 celebrities will also be involved in a livestream entertainment segment called TOYOTA GAZOO Racing OFFTHEGRID and will be able to give the viewers intimate insights into their racing experiences.
As for the Sporting Class and Super Sporting Class, many of the drivers are now experienced in the racing which is run as the Vios Challenge One-Make series as only the Toyota Vios is used. The cars are all identical in performance and strict inspections before and after the race are carried out to ensure that they conform to the rules.
In a segment called Jom Duet Bersama, three of the celebrities – Khai Bahar, Wany Hasrita and Nabila Razali – fans will be invited to participate in an acting and singing duet challenge with the best submissions to be aired during the livestream. Comedians Nabil Ahmad and Zizan Razak will also join forces for Latah Positif and Berita Apani, giving viewers a quirky insight into the event.
Tengku Djan Ley – also known as Malaysia’s ‘Prince of Drift’ – will also go head-to-head in a battle to test the reaction times of the rookies in a series of challenges off the circuit in Toyota Arena Bersama Rookies & Tengku Djan. And fresh from completing their Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia examination, two of these rookies, Amer Harris and Mika Hakimi, will host Did You SPM?, where they will ask racers, mechanics and race officials random SPM questions in a test of wits.
No matter how much effort a manufacturer puts into quality control, there will be some occasions when some parts which are not perfectly made slip through the system and get into the market. When that happens, responsible manufacturers will quickly identify where the faulty parts are and take remedial measures to replace them.
In the case of manufacturers like Toyota, recalls to replace or rectify faulty parts are not common but do happen. And because of concern for customers’ safety, the carmaker acts quickly to recall affected vehicles by having a Special Service Campaign in collaboration with its distributor; in the case of Malaysia, that would be UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT).
Special Service Campaign
The distributor of Toyota and Lexus vehicles in Malaysia has announced a Special Service Campaign (SSC) for the Toyota Avanza MPV to replace the fuel pump. This SSC is an expansion of an earlier campaign.
Based on the information received from Toyota Motor Corporation, there are 3,923 units affected and they were manufactured from October 2017 to June 2019, and distributed nationwide.
Faulty fuel pump
The fault in the fuel pump may stop it operating and if this were to occur, warning lights and messages may be displayed on the instrument panel. This may be accompanied by engine power hesitation which could result in the vehicle stalling and being unable to restart.
UMWT will officially notify all its affected vehicle owners to being their vehicle to an authorised service centre to replace the fuel pump unit. The owner will not have to pay anything for all costs related to the exercise.
If you are not the original owner
It is possible that some of the units may have owners who were not the ones who originally purchased the vehicles. In this case, they might not receive the notification as the contact details UMWT would have in its database might only be for the original owner. Nevertheless, if the vehicle is among those being recalled, the current owner can still get the support at no charge.
For further information, Avanza owners may contact any authorised Toyota Service Centre or call the Toyota Freephone at 1800-8-TOYOTA (869682).
After almost a year’s absence, the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Festival (TGR Festival) will start its fourth season at the Sepang International Circuit from on March 27. As in previous years, the highlight is the Vios Challenge and this new season will have 3 rounds for a total of 6 races.
Expanded racing activities
Additionally, GAZOO Racing Malaysia will also make its appearance in the national racing series with the introduction of the GAZOO Racing Vios Sprint Cup with a total of 4 races over 2 rounds, and the GAZOO Racing Enduro Cup that will be run in conjunction with the annual Sepang 1000km Endurance Race (S1K).
Rookie class and new celebrities
The Vios Challenge will have of 4 classes which include the inaugural running of the Rookie Class. This class will be made up of 6 new graduates of the GAZOO Racing Young Talent Development Program who are stepping up from karting and simulator to racing in a real saloon car for their very first time.
As before, there will also be the popular Promotional Class with local celebrities (three of whom are new faces); the Sporting Class for amateur drivers; and the Super Sporting Class for the veteran and professional drivers.
The three newcomers to the Vios Challenge Promotional Class – (from left) Talitha Tan, Zizan Razak and Ahirine Ahirudin.Just like professional racing drivers, those in the GAZOO Racing Young Talent Development Program have to undergo rigorous training to be fit and of course, learn driving skills in the Vios from experienced racing drivers.
“It’s exciting to be back racing but as much as we would like to immediately open our doors to race fans for them to be at the venues, the threat of the pandemic has created a new and perhaps even more promising way of reaching an even larger and wider audience. Millions of race fans in Malaysia and even outside the country can catch the action on and off the track during the race weekend via live streaming and in the comfort and safety of their homes,” said TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Malaysia’s Chief Motorsport Officer, Akio Takeyama, who is also UMW Toyota Motor’s Deputy Chairman.
Live streaming worlwide
Mr. Takeyama was referring to the strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that must be followed and, as with other permitted motorsports events, the TGR Festival must operate under a ‘sports bubble’ for everyone’s protection. This means that Round 1 of the Vios Challenge will be held as a closed-door event and the action will be live-streamed to racing fans throughout Malaysia – and even the world – over the event’s 2 days.
The cars in the Vios Challenge are identical in specifications and preparation, so it is very much driver skill that counts rather than engine power, and this makes for closer racing.
The live streaming will be meticulously-curated, giving viewers an uninterrupted ‘front row seat’ of the Vios Challenge. In fact, it will probably get them ‘closer’ to the action than if they were at the track. ”The challenge before us today is to bring the energy and atmosphere of the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Festival online,” added Mr. Takeyama.
Bringing motorsports to the masses
“The TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Festival has primarily been about bringing motorsports to the masses – this focus has not changed – and to a great extent, we have successfully accomplished this by bringing the races to so many different locations since 2017,” he said.
The live streaming will be broadcast on the UMW Toyota Motor website at toyota.com.my and also at the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Malaysia Facebook page.
UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) has a new brand pillar and branding initiative known as Toyota Synergised Mobility (TSM), driven by Toyota’s advanced technologies. With its leadership in the automobile industry and growing as a mobility services company, Toyota has developed numerous innovative, advanced and cutting-edge technologies. Through Toyota Synergised Mobility, these advanced technologies will be simplified for easier understanding and their relevance explained.
“Toyota is moving beyond being just a manufacturer of cars to other forms of mobility for modern lifestyles. In pursuit of this, it creates innovations featuring cutting-edge technologies with the potential for expanding the possibilities of future mobility for the wider community. With Toyota Synergised Mobility, the public will gain greater awareness of the new and available technologies – as well as what is to come in the future. There will be even greater synergy between man and machine,” said Akio Takeyama, Deputy Chairman of UMW Toyota Motor.
TSS and TNGA
Two examples of the latest technologies are Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) and Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA), both available and associated with the latest models. They make possible features which exemplify the meaning of ‘smart motoring’ to enhance safety, comfort and performance. With TSM, the customer will be able to see the synergy between trust and technology as it applies to his or her daily life.
Under the All About The Drive theme, introduced in 2016, UMWT will apply Toyota Synergised Mobility to bring to the forefront the technological leadership of Toyota that will be used to make ever better cars. Over the past 5 years, the brand has undergone a rapid transformation of its image, gaining a perception of being more sporty, youthful and exciting. This has been largely supported by the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (TGR) brand which has been used for events such as the TGR Racing Festival, GR Velocity E-Sports Championship, GR Garage and GR high-performance products.
New technologies to come
While the Toyota brand now has greater appeal with an energetic, fun-to-drive, sportier character, TSM will propel its image of being advanced, innovative and cutting-edge. TSM will also pave the way for new Toyota technologies to be introduced very soon, symbolising Toyota’s synergy with the future, living with tomorrow’s technologies, today.
“We believe that technology should be simple, yet intelligent. With Toyota Synergised Mobility, UMW Toyota Motor will present to Malaysians a new aspect of the brand which is advanced, cutting edge and innovative,” said the President of UMW Toyota Motor, Ravindran K. “Customers will understand and embrace ‘Smart Driving’ with Toyota where they will enjoy and experience seamless driving experience where technology is in perfect synergy – designed for and by humans.”
18 years ago, Toyota began a massive global project to develop the Innovative International Multi-purpose Vehicle of ‘IMV’ as it was referred to internally. The IMV project was not just about new models but more importantly, about moving production of those vehicles entirely outside Japan. It was believed to be the second most expensive project in the company’s history, after the Lexus project.
The result was the establishment of production hubs in major regions to product three models that shared platforms. They were the Hilux, Innova and Fortuner, rugged products for use on as well as off the highways of the world. While the Hilux was an established model, the Innova and Fortuner were new, targeting the MPV and SUV markets, respectively. The Fortuner, in particular, was intended to take over from the Land Cruiser which had become more sophisticated and more expensive. All three models were launched during 2004/2005 and in countries like Malaysia, they were also assembled locally.
Toyota IMV production in Indonesia.
The IMV project was a success, allowing Toyota to produce more vehicles outside Japan where labour cost structures were different, and more specific products could be developed for emerging markets.
While the longer history of the Hilux means it is already in its eighth generation now, the Innova and Fortuner are in just their second generation and with the first generation having been produced for around 10 years, it is now about halfway through the product cycle (if Toyota maintains the same length of time for the models).
This is when the facelift and updates are made and UMW Toyota Motor has launched both the 2021 models with updates today. The Fortuner is available in two variants with turbodiesel and petrol engines and all three have automatic transmissions. The Innova is available in three variants, all with a 2-litre petrol engine and automatic transmission only. As with most of the models offered by UMW Toyota Motor, the new Innova and Fortuner come with a 5-year/unlimited mileage warranty.
2021 TOYOTA FORTUNER
New to the Fortuner range is the Fortuner 2.8 VRZ 4×4 A/T which replaces the Fortuner 2.4 VRZ offered previously. It is powered by a 2.8-litre 4-cylinder common-rail diesel engine (1GD-FTV) which produces 204 ps/500 Nm. A balance shaft reduces vibrations and lowers noise levels while high efficiency is achieved with the electronically-controlled common rail injection system that can deliver fuel at a maximum pressure of up to 250 MPa.
The 6-speed electronic automatic transmission delivers power through a part-time 4×4 drivetrain to all 4 wheels. Like the traditional SUVs, there are High and Low ranges for more capability off-road. The ranges can be easily selected with a rotary knob, unlike the old days when a second lever had to be operated and the vehicle had also to be stopped.
For stability enhancement, the drivetrain has Active Traction Control (A-TRC). New for 2021 is an Auto Limited Slip Differential (LSD). This is very useful in the most difficult conditions and uses the traction control system to control braking when one of the rear wheels start to spin. It allows engine power to be maintained and power is directed to the wheel with better traction.
The Fortuner also comes with Variable Flow Control (VFC) Power Steering, which helps to improve fuel economy by reducing the power steering pump consumption torque. Toyota’s engineers have enhanced the steering feeling to achieve natural handling that matches the speed. For the Fortuner 2.8 VRZ, there is also a SPORT mode which enhances the power steering for responsiveness.
Giving the Fortuner 2.8 VRZ additional distinctiveness, the roof, A-pillars, wing mirrors and roof-mounted rear spoiler are finished in black. It comes with Quad LED headlamps that flank a mesh-type front grille. The other lighting units have also been restyled while the front and rear bumpers have a new design. The skidplate below the front end is also new, emphasizing ruggedness.
A new body colour – Bronze Mica Metallic – with a Black Roof is available exclusively for this new variant which is the flagship of the range. The Black Roof is also available with the Super White II exterior colour only for this variant.
The Fortuner is a midsize SUV (large to some) and has 3 rows of seats. This generation has been made more premium in look and feel and for 2021, the interior trim has a new design and colour while the seat upholstery also has a new design.
The instrument panel features a revised Multi Information Display (MID) opening animation. Ambient illumination is provided to add a touch of class at night, while the key cover has been redesigned. Convenience and comfort features include LED Interior Lamps, Electrochromic Rearview Mirror (to eliminate dazzle) and 8-way power adjustment for the front seats. USB charging ports are also available for powering or recharging personal electronic devices.
At the time of purchase, customers can also include options such as Wireless Charger (new), Kick Sensor-Powered Rear Door (new), Roof-mounted Monitor and Rear Digital Video Recorder.
In line with Toyota’s efforts to reduce road accidents, the latest model comes with Toyota Safety Sense (TSS). This is an integrated suite of active safety systems which make use of a camera and radar to monitor and detect other vehicles, and to take appropriate action to prevent an accident.
TSS, though available in many Toyota models today, has different elements and for the Fortuner, it comes with Pre collision System (PCS), Lane Departure Alert (LDA) and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) and Yaw Assist Function. Unlike the TSS in passenger vehicles, the system in the Fortuner (as well as Hilux) has a Yaw Assist Function. This activates when lane departure is detected, and additional braking force applied to the inner wheels to direct the vehicle back into the proper lane position. The systems are also calibrated taking into account the usage conditions.
2021 TOYOTA INNOVA
The 2021 Innova range has updated styling and features as well as additional safety systems being made standard. Subtle changes give a more refined and prestigious look for the 2021 model. The grille has a chrome and black theme while the door mirrors have chrome housings for a touch of class. The foglamps and foglamp bezels have also been redesigned and contribute to giving a bolder appearance.
At the rear, the garnish on the back door has been restyled to visually widen the vehicle, while the roof spoiler (only for the Innova 2.0X) has been slightly reprofiled for aerodynamic improvements.
An Enhancement Package is included with the flagship Innova 2.0X. This package has a new design for wheelarch mouldings for protecting the bodywork, new bodyside mouldings and redesigned side skirts that add a sporty touch.
Both the Innova 2.0X and Innova 2.0G come with Optitron meters (originally developed for Lexus models) in the instrument panel which provide bright and clear displays in all lighting conditions. Between the meters is a 4.2-inch full colour Multi Information Display (MID) that keeps the driver informed of fuel consumption and range available with the remaining fuel in the tank.
Captain’s seats available only with Innova 2.0X
Responding to customer feedback, extra charging ports have been added. The front 2 USB ports have been repositioned in the dashboard from the centre console and additional USB ports has been provided for those in the third row of seats. All the ports have Fast Charging capability for compatible smartphones and other portable devices. Additionally, a wireless charging pad in the centre console is also available as an option for all variants.
For 2021, additional features have been added to give the driver greater awareness of the surroundings to improve safety. The first is the Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert, standard for the Innova 2.0X and 2.0G and optional for the Innova 2.0E. The systems use sensors on the body and bumpers to detect other vehicles in the blind spot or approaching from either side during reversing out of a parking bay.
Also provided as standard for the Innova 2.0X and 2.0G is the Panoramic View Monitor. This uses cameras around the bodywork to capture a 360-degree view around the vehicle. The driver can view the surroundings (with selectable views) and spot hazards to avoid. The PVM is especially useful when parking in narrow or tight parking spaces.
All variants are fitted with 7 SRS airbags and every one of the occupants on all three rows has a 3-point auto-retracting seatbelt. All variants also have ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and Brake Assist, as well as Vehicle Stability Control and Hill-start Assist Control. The extensive standard safety systems are provided as standard across the Innova range which has received the maximum 5-star ASEAN NCAP rating.
Besides the standard electronic security system, UMWT now installs a Toyota Vehicle Telematics System (VTS) as standard in the Innova 2.0X and 2.0G. This system can track the vehicle’s movements using GPS and GSM technology. If the vehicle is stolen, the VTS Command Centre can determine its location and inform relevant authorities to make recovery faster.
The Innova’s proven 2-litre DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder VVT-i petrol engine produces 139 ps/183 Nm which goes through a 6-speed Super ECT electronic automatic transmission.
Visit www.toyota.com.my to locate a showroom in Malaysia to view and test-drive the latest Innova and Fortuner.
Those who have driven the new Toyota GR Yaris have nothing but praises for it, impressed by its handling and power. It’s a ‘Homologation Special’ which means it’s ready to be used for international motorsports competition – mainly rallies – right out of the showroom.
To satisfy homologation requirements by the FIA (the body which governs international motorsports), a manufacturer must produce at least 25,000 units of the model in identical form. Toyota, with its resources and also the enthusiastic support of a President who is a racing driver, decided to do this, and enthusiasts around the world have been delighted.
The 25,000 units are built at the same plant that made the Lexus LFA and exported globally for sale. The exceptional demand for the GR Yaris has also been evident in some countries. In Australia, for example, 1,000 units were sold within just one week.
For the Malaysian market, less than 200 units were imported by UMW Toyota Motor and they are now all sold out.
Development of the GR Yaris has used all the experience gained from competing in the World Rally Championship.
Potential great for Malaysian market
“When we were informed of the new Toyota GR Yaris by Toyota Motor Corporation, we knew it would have great potential in the Malaysian market, especially with the increasing motorsport and motorsport-related activities organized by UMW Toyota Motor,” said Ravindran K., President of UMW Toyota Motor.
“The enthusiastic fans were eagerly awaiting the launch of the model and wasted no time booking one right after we launched the car on December 17, 2020. And now, just over a month since its launch, we received such overwhelming response. We thank customers for their enthusiastic support,” he said.
The world’s most powerful 3-cylinder engine (261 bhp/360 Nm) and the lightest and smallest 1.6-litre turbo unit currently in production. It comes only with a 6-speed manual transmission and the new GR-Four 4-wheel drive system.
Available only from exclusive dealers
Priced from RM286,896 (excluding insurance, roadtax and sales tax exemption), the GR Yaris has been offered only through a limited number of dealerships in Malaysia which have the GR Garage. This is a dedicated sales channel for GR products such as the GR Supra, GR Yaris and Vios GR-Sport as well as performance items.
Explaining the GR brand, Akio Takeyama, UMW Toyota Motor’s Deputy Chairman and GAZOO Racing Malaysia’s Chief Motorsports Officer, said: “The GR brand harnesses the experience gained by pushing the limits in motorsport and applies it to a whole new generation of high-performance cars from Toyota. The result is models like the GR Yaris that are fine examples of how we are making ever-better cars that are rewarding and fun to drive. Further to that, we are also more than pleased that we will be introducing even more GR models to the in the near future.”
Will there by additional units?
While each of the units imported to date now has an owner, there is a hint that some more might be available as Mr. Ravindran suggested that ‘keen parties continue to register their interest with our GR Garage Dealers nationwide’.
For information on the GR Garage network and GR products, visit toyota.com.my/tgrmalaysia/gr garage/.
Trends in car ownership are evolving and these days, there is growing interest in what are known as subscription plans. Customers choose a model, and a fixed instalment is paid each month over an agreed period of a few years. The amount includes maintenance costs, insurance and even roadtax so it is convenient.
But there is a catch: ownership of the car is not the customer’s at the end and he or she can either return it or negotiate to buy it over, or even start a new subscription. It’s a good opportunity to upgrade to a new car every few years, and no hassles of having to sell off the old one first.
First in the world
A number of companies in Malaysia offer this approach and the latest to join is Toyota with its KINTO ONE scheme. Introduced by Toyota Capital Malaysia, KINTO ONE is a global financing scheme which the carmaker has introduced in many countries, and it already has a very big presence in the Europe. For Malaysia, it is the first-in-the-world Islamic based car medium-term subscription program.
Originating from the Japanese word kinto-un, which means ‘flying nimbus’, as the future image of mobility, the name is in line with the spirit of providing services that quickly appear when necessary, enabling mobility as per the user’s wishes, and are kind to the environment.
All-inclusive instalment
Unlike the traditional hire purchase (H-P) financing facility, KINTO ONE is an all-inclusive, fixed monthly payment, car subscription plan. The fixed subscription covers registration costs of the vehicle, annual comprehensive insurance coverage and roadtax, as well as scheduled maintenance and preventive maintenance costs. At the end of the term, which can be 2 years or 3 years, the customer can return the car.
Some of the Toyota and Lexus models available under the KINTO ONE plan. The monthly amounts may appear high but remember that they include costs like roadtax, insurance and servicing – which you would have to pay anyway. So all an owner really has to pay for is fuel, paking and toll charges – and fines.
“KINTO ONE is the direct translation of a strategic partnership between Toyota Capital Malaysia and UMW Toyota Motor and is a distinctly curated response to the new generation lifestyle seeking mobility. It is about the shift of consumer behaviour from car ownership to car usership. It is about Toyota’s vision of ‘Mobility for All’,” said Thomas Chai, President of Toyota Capital Malaysia.
Good for corporate sector
Mr. Chai added that KINTO ONE is also aimed at the corporate sector which wants to be ‘light in their assets’ but still require the functionalities of being mobile. The full range of aftersales and support services will be handled by authorized Toyota dealers nationwide, with 24-hour emergency assistance also provided.
“It all seems new and revolutionary for KINTO ONE aiming to cater to the newer generation of car owners seeking for freedom and mobility through its all-inclusive fixed monthly subscription plan, but KINTO ONE has already been introduced in many parts of the world. While it is newly launched here in Malaysia, we are starting with our learning curves way past the introductory stages. With strong support from Toyota Motor Corporation and the abundant availability of intellectual discourses amongst KINTO operators around the world, it has made our market introduction journey a very enriching one,” said Ravindran Kurusamy, President of UMW Toyota Motor.
KINTO ONE is exclusively available online via the website (www.kinto-my.com) where customers can view the car models available, decide on which subscription plan suits them and then apply online. The subscription plans also cover Lexus models available in Malaysia.
The Toyota Eco Youth (TEY) program, organised and managed by UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) for the past 19 years, will continue into its 20th edition with a longer program. Unlike previous years which have been completed within a year, the concept for this year’s TEY program is that it will run for 3 years. For this 20th edition of TEY, the winners will return as facilitator in the 2nd year to mentor the new batch and establish a TEY Apprentice Online Club. The winners will then continue with proof of concept and Intensive Prototype Development.
283 teams registered to participate
To date, it has involved 258 schools, 1,910 secondary school students and 762 teachers throughout the country. The program is open to secondary school students aged 13 – 16 years old and there is unlimited school participation. For this year, 283 teams from 177 schools have submitted registrations but only a maximum of 16 teams from schools will take part.
In the 19 previous years, the teams have set up displays of their work but for this 20th edition, in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, the whole program will be conducted online.
“The Toyota Eco Youth has been running continuously for 20 years and we hope that those who have participated continue to grow their creativity help propagate a greener future for all of us,” said Akio Takeyama, Deputy Chairman of UMW Toyota Motor.
For the 20th edition of TEY, UMWT is again collaborating with the Ministry of Education and will run state and national level competitions. Additionally, for this year, the Leaderonomics Community also joins as a working partner.
Activities conducted online
In view of the present COVID-19 pandemic situation, the official launch of the National-level competition took place online recently. UMWT Executive Director of Sales, Mohd Shamsor Mohd Zain, announced the teams which come from all over the country, including Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan.
Encik Mohd Shamsor also introduced Agent M (Mobility), consisting of 3 – 4 members per team. Each Agent M will select a C.A.S.E. (Clothing, Apps, Smart Tools or Eco-Friendly Vehicles) and present solutions to environmental issues. Their solutions will be presented in a video uploaded for judging and public viewing.
‘Reimagining Mobility’ is the theme
The format of this program will be fully online, and the 16 teams will be equipped and trained with project management skills that incorporate Toyota’s Problem Solving Methodology. They will then be required to build a prototype solution based on the theme of ‘Reimagining Mobility’. This theme depicts the creation of safe and eco-friendly mobility solutions for the nation with a dual-pronged approach to ensure that they are both theoretically and practically comprehensive which includes the interactive e-learning lessons and workshops.
The final judging phase will require the team to showcase their progress through social media and livestream channels. The prize money has been doubled with the total pool of cash prizes amounting to RM64,000.
Some of the winning teams in the 2019 event.
“Since the inception of Toyota Eco Youth, UMW Toyota Motor has spent over RM7 million on the program,” said Ravindran K., President of UMW Toyota Motor. “In spite of pandemic, we will not diminish our support for such programs as they are an important part of our Corporate Social Responsibility.”
For further information on the 2020/2021 Toyota Eco Youth Program and updates, the public can visit www.toyota.com.my/toyotaecoyouth.
Launched just under a month ago, response to the new Toyota GR Yaris and Vios GR-Sport (GR-S) have been exceptionally positive and strong, with orders exceeding expectations.
The response to the GR Yaris isn’t surprising, though, and mirrors the situation in some other markets where it has gone on sale. Toyota will produce only 25,000 units of the GR Yaris for worldwide sale and approximately 200 have been allocated for the Malaysian market. Apart from having specifications that give it high performance, the hatchback model is a ‘Homologation Special’ which makes it immediately ready for use in any international FIA-sanctioned motorsport competition. Of course, regulations would require appropriate safety equipment to also be installed.
Racing car for daily use
The Vios GR-S is the latest variant in the Vios range with performance-oriented features and suspension tuning. It has been developed exclusively for the Malaysian market and offers a racing car character with comfort for the daily drive.
The GR Yaris, priced from RM286,896 and the Vios GR-S, priced from RM95,284 (both prices excluding insurance and with sales tax exemption), are available only at authorized Toyota dealerships with the GR Garage. These dealerships also offer the GR Supra, GR items for enhancing the appearance and performance of Toyota models, as well as aftersales support.
“We are delighted by the response to the new GR models although this has also been the same in other markets for the GR Yaris. The model is competition-ready as it has been developed from the start to meet international FIA regulations, so all an owner really needs to do is install the required safety equipment and he or she is ready to go racing! As the car is road-legal, those who do not use it for motorsport can still enjoy the high performance provided by the 261 hp 1.6-litre turbo unit which is currently the lightest and smallest engine in production,” said Akio Takeyama, UMW Toyota Motor’s Deputy Chairman and Gazoo Racing Malaysia’s Chief Motorsports Officer.
Performance Package with GR Yaris
For the Malaysian market, the GR Yaris will come with a standard Performance Pack as well. Additionally, UMW Toyota Motor is offering an ‘Early Bird Package’ (limited to the first 65 bookings) which consists of an exclusive helmet bag, a GR Yaris scale model and participation in a GR Yaris Driving Experience in 2021 to learn to enjoy the GR Yaris to the fullest.
“While 2020 has been a challenging and difficult year, we are happy to be providing some excitement in the Malaysian market as a prelude to a better year ahead. Our Toyota line-up has been broadened with additional models and variants to meet every type of requirement. As always, we offer the best value for money and we also make it easier to purchase a new Toyota with a choice of financing schemes,” said Ravindran K., President of UMW Toyota Motor.
‘GAZOO’ has been in international motorsports news for a number of years and in more recent years, it has also gained increasing presence in Malaysia. In the context of TOYOTA GAZOO Racing, ‘GAZOO’ means ‘garage’ but this was not how it started.
Back in early 2000, Akio Toyoda (current President of Toyota Motor Corporation) was back in Japan to join the Board of Directors after having served in various roles at different Toyota subsidiaries around the world. Among his responsibilities was the creation and supervision of a website that was given the name ‘GAZOO.com’ and the name was derived from the Japanese word ‘gazo’ which means ‘image’ or ‘photo’.
GAZOO.com, which still exists today, is a website gathering images of the vehicles in stock at each of the dealerships. It also contains dozens of virtual shops for consumer goods and services and provides information about new and used vehicles. This is, of course, a common thing today but 20 years ago, the internet was still in its infancy so it was quite a revolutionary idea.
The Gazoo.com website goes back some 20 years and though its content looks common these days, it was revolutionary when it started.
The first use of GAZOO in racing
In 2007, a team of Toyota test drivers, including Akio, were to participate in the Nurburgring 24-Hour race. For various reasons, they were not allowed to refer to their team as ‘Works Toyota Racing’ and perhaps because Akio was in charge of GAZOO.com, he suggested and could authorize the use of the name to be used by the team. That would probably be the first time the GAZOO name appeared in motorsports.
From then on, GAZOO Racing began to develop and its racing activities increased. The team was like an unofficial affiliate of Toyota and usually ran development models like the FT-86 and LF-A to carry out testing in extreme conditions.
Akio Toyoda is one of the very few car company Presidents who races and he also personally gets involved in testing and development of new models.
After Akio became President in 2009, GAZOO Racing began to expand as it was given new roles related to motorsports. Being a racing driver and car enthusiast, Akio wanted to generate more excitement for the sport among the young and GAZOO Racing was to expand the role of promoting motorsports beyond that of traditional automakers. Its mission would also be to carry out grassroots activities aimed at creating new generations of car enthusiasts.
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing has been active and successful in the World Endurance Championship, World Rally Championship and also the Dakar Rally.
The GAZOO Racing Company is born
Until 2015, Toyota had different racing organizations and a decision was made to unify them under the GAZOO Racing banner, with brand differentiation as TOYOTA GAZOO Racing and LEXUS GAZOO Racing. TOYOTA GAZOO Racing, which was in charge of vehicle development for motorsports activities, was renamed GAZOO Racing Company in 2017 during the restructuring of Toyota Motor Corporation.
The newly created GAZOO Racing Company was thus a more business-focussed unit and would start to develop GAZOO Racing or ‘GR’ as a performance brand like AMG for Mercedes-Benz and M for BMW. It would be independent in one sense but also an important contributor to Toyota’s R&D with experience and information gained from motorsports activities.
GR Garage
As part of its business activities, the GAZOO Racing Company established the GR Garage, a new dealership channel which would not only sell performance parts and high-performance models such as the GR Supra and GR Yaris but also be ‘the most fun car shop in town where enthusiasts can gather, talk, and enjoy cars together’. It was another approach to creating greater interest in motorsports and motoring in general that Akio was trying to generate.
The GR Garage concept was introduced in Japan and dealerships opened in many cities. As GR models start to be offered in many countries, the GR Garage concept is also following and the first country outside Japan to introduce it was Malaysia at the end of 2019 when the GR Supra was launched in the market. Selected authorized Toyota dealerships (5 at this time) have incorporated the GR Garage concept on their premises and specialize in GR products.
GAZOO Racing comes to Malaysia
Malaysia is in fact one of the first countries to have a strong GAZOO Racing presence which began about 3 years ago. Before then, in Thailand and the Philippines, TRD (Toyota Racing Development – an in-house division specializing in performance products) was prominent in motorsports but not in Malaysia. So when GAZOO Racing Company stepped up its activities, it was also timely for the Malaysian market to instead use the GR platform.
The TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Festival began in 2017 and had a carnival-like atmosphere with motor and motorsports-related activities, including the Vios Challenge one-make series.
The first activity in Malaysia was the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Festival (TGR Festival) held in 2017, replicating an annual event in Japan which was created by the GAZOO Racing Company in its initial years. The TGR Festival has a carnival-like atmosphere with a motorsports and auto-related theme. The highlight of the TGR Festival has been the Vios Challenge, a one-make series run on specially-prepared street circuits in Penang, Terengganu, Johor and Kuala Lumpur/Selangor, as well as the Sepang International Circuit. This successful series has completed three seasons and enters its fourth one in 2021.
Additionally, UMW Toyota Motor also got involved in digital motorsports or eSports with the Toyota GR Velocity eSports Championship series which began in 2018. This Malaysian event inspired the running of the GR Supra GT Cup ASIA2020 as the first virtual motorsport racing championship in Asia. The regional event, held in October this year, saw the best sim racers from 5 countries – Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines and India – competing against each other.
The GR range in Malaysia started with the GR Supra and this month, the GR Yaris and Vios GR-Sport have been added.
The GR cars
And, of course, there are the products – the GR Supra, GR Yaris and the Vios GR-Sport (presently only available in Malaysia). These models bring to the Toyota brand a sporty and livelier image that supports the promise of ‘fun-to-drive’. They can help diminish the perception of Toyotas being reliable and durable but lacking the performance sparkle. It’s not that Toyota has never produced performance models, but most have never reached our market due to high import taxes making their prices unappealing. But times have changed and with the GR models, the brand now has a side that can appeal to the younger and future generation of customers.
