(TORONTO) – Canadian Black Book (CBB) has released its seventh annual Retained Value Awards, and Toyota and Lexus models have taken the top spot in seven categories, confirming the trusted quality, reliability and exceptionally high retained value of these vehicles.

The Toyota and Lexus winners of 2012 CBB Retained Value Awards were in the following categories:
•    Full-size car: Toyota Avalon
•    Small pickup: Toyota Tacoma
•    Full-size pickup: Toyota Tundra
•    Mid-size SUV: Toyota FJ Cruiser
•    Full-size SUV: Toyota Sequoia
•    Luxury car: Lexus GS series
•    Premium luxury car: Lexus LS series

The Toyota Avalon, Lexus LS series, Toyota Tacoma, Toyota Tundra Toyota FJ Cruiser and Toyota Sequoia each won as well in 2011.
“While most other industry accolades tend to generate headlines by focussing on the here-and-now of new vehicle models, our annual retained value awards provide consumers with excellent insight as to where they will most likely receive the best value for their money, over time,” says Kathy Ward, CEO of Canadian Black Book. “But not taking vehicle depreciation into consideration, the single greatest cost of vehicle ownership, can lead to a costly surprise at trade-in time.”
“We are proud to have seven Toyota and Lexus models recognized by Canadian Black Book for top honours in this year’s Retained Value Awards,” said Tony Wearing, Senior Managing Director at Toyota Canada Inc. “We take great pride in having such a wide range of Toyota and Lexus vehicles being recognized for the outstanding value they deliver to Canadian drivers.”
This year, the award examines 2008 models, and winners have been chosen in 17 segments. The awards are determined from actual value retained from MSRP, measured over a four-year period.
CBB initiated the awards to help consumers identify which vehicles retain the highest percentage of their original value. Although strong retained value performance is not a guarantee of future strength, it is a strong indicator for how a vehicle should perform in the future. For the consumer, selecting a vehicle with a lower depreciation rate will reduce their overall cost of ownership.
About Toyota Canada Inc.
Toyota Canada Inc. (TCI) is the exclusive Canadian distributor of Toyota, Lexus and Scion cars, SUVs and trucks. Toyota is the first full-line manufacturer to make all of the elements of the Star Safety System standard on every vehicle starting in 2011. The Star Safety System includes Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC), Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA) and Smart Stop Technology (SST). TCI’s head office is in Toronto, with regional offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal and Halifax and parts distribution centres in Toronto and Vancouver.

About Canadian Black Book

Founded in 1960, Wm. Ward Publishing is a Canadian company owned and operated by Kathy Ward, and is the official distributor of Canadian Black Book. Canadian Black Book is the publisher of the “Black Book” vehicle value and residual guides and is the benchmark for automobile dealers, manufacturers, financial services firms, insurance companies and other sectors with interests in the automobile industry. In 2010 it launched a consumer web site at www.canadianblackbook.ca where visitors can use proprietary online calculators to look up vehicle Trade-in Values, Average Asking Prices and Future Values.

TORONTO, ON – February 1, 2012 – Toyota Canada Inc. (TCI) started the year off with a record-setting 10, 660 sales in January.
Toyota sales highlights for January 2012 (vs. January 2011)
• Total Toyota sales: 9,565 (up 17.2%)
• Toyota car sales: 4,965 (up 13.4%)
o Yaris Hatch sales: 476 (up 188.5%)
o Prius/Prius v sales: 263 (up 176.8%)
o Camry/Camry Hybrid sales: 1,007 (up 168.5%), leads intermediate sedan segment for third month in a row
o Avalon sales: 39 (up 116.7%)
• Toyota truck sales: 4,600 (up 21.6%)
o RAV4 sales: 1,428 (up 34.5%)
o Venza sales: 791 (up 33.2%)
o Tacoma sales: 512 (up 22.8%)
o Sienna sales: 693 (up 18.7%)
o 4Runner sales: 234 (up 16.4%)
• Toyota hybrid sales: 501 (up 143.2%)

“We are proud to report TCI’s best January in history, and we thank our customers. Our new 2012 models, including the Toyota Camry, Toyota Yaris Hatch, the all-new Prius v and the updated Tacoma, continue to be popular with Canadians,” said Tony Wearing, Senior Managing Director, Toyota Canada Inc. “We’re also looking forward to bringing Canadians 18 more new or refreshed vehicles in the coming months.”

The Toyota brand took top spot in three key categories:

• Overall brand perception
• Environmentally Friendly/Green
• Quality

“Toyota takes pride in this recognition as third party accolades help our customers understand our leadership in the key areas of quality, safety and environment,” said Tony Wearing, Senior Managing Director, Toyota Canada Inc.
The survey was conducted in December; with over 1700 consumers asked which brands they felt exemplified the traits. Overall brand perception was calculated based on the number of times a manufacturer was mentioned as exemplary across all of the categories.

DETROIT , Michigan, Jan.10, 2012 – Following the U.S. debut of the all-new 2012 Prius c at the 2012 North American International Auto Show, Toyota Canada Inc. plans to bring this dynamically styled, five-door hatchback to market in March of 2012, and introduce Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive to the subcompact segment.

The letter “c” represents “city” in the Prius c name, designed to function as an urban-friendly vehicle with an engaging driving experience, hatchback utility, and a combined fuel consumption rating of 3.7 L/100 km, Prius c offers the lowest L/100 km rating of any vehicle without a plug. The all-new Prius c joins the Prius Family, which includes the third generation Prius liftback, the versatile new Prius v and the Prius Plug-in Hybrid, which will debut in 2012.
Beginning with the first generation fourteen years ago, over two million Prius units have been sold worldwide. Prius remains the world’s premier eco-vehicle brand, and has made great strides establishing consumer trust in hybrid technology. With Prius c, Toyota Canada will make the market’s most proven hybrid technology available to subcompact car shoppers with a starting MSRP below $21,000.

Unique Place in the Prius Family
A gateway product into the Prius Family, the new Prius c will find favour with younger shoppers seeking a smartly designed, fuel-efficient subcompact car packing advanced drivetrain and in-car technology. The Prius c will offer engaging driving dynamics with superior urban maneuverability. When the 2012 Prius c arrives in showrooms this spring, the all-new hatchback will offer:
• The highest rated fuel efficiency estimate of any vehicle without a plug*; at a combined rating of 3.7 L/100 km
• The most accessible Prius will feature a starting MSRP below $21,000 with proven hybrid powertrain and premium technology
• A premium subcompact car experience thanks to a wide array of available convenience and advanced in-car electronics features, including a standard 3.5¬in. full color LCD multi-information display, hands-free phone capability, USB port with iPod® connectivity, and available Display Audio system with Navigation.

The scale of the all-new Prius c becomes apparent when compared to the familiar proportions of the midsize Prius Liftback. The Prius c is smaller and lighter than its midsize Prius stable mate with 19.1 inches less length (157.3 vs. 176.4 inches OAL) and 542 lbs. less weight than the Prius Liftback (2,500 vs. 3,042 lbs.). In adapting the Hybrid Synergy Drive to the smaller Prius c platform, each of the system’s major components were re-designed to reduce weight, scale, and improve efficiency.
OAL OAH OAW Wheelbase Curb weight
2012 Prius 176.4 in. 58.7 in. 68.7 in. 106.3 in. 3,042 lbs.
2012 Prius c 157.3 in. 56.9 in. 66.7 in. 100.4 in. 2,500 lbs.

Four Grades with Generous Standard Equipment
The Prius c will be available in three trim levels offering desirable features, equipment, and enhanced capability giving consumers a compelling value proposition. Prius c provides many standard features such as automatic climate control, tilt-telescopic steering wheel with audio, climate, Multi-Information Display and Bluetooth® hands-free controls, and remote keyless entry with illuminated entry among a long list of standard equipment.

Efficient Packaging
The Prius c’s effective packaging design strategically locates key drivetrain components within the chassis to help optimize interior space and handling. The compact gasoline engine, transaxle and power-control unit are optimally placed within the vehicle to help enhance weight distribution and lower the center of gravity. In addition, the hybrid battery and fuel tank are positioned together beneath the rear seat, ideally distributing their mass within the wheelbase to improve weight distribution to help enhance handling. By locating the battery and fuel tank below the rear seat, the Prius c is able to offer 104 cu. ft. of interior volume (87.4 cu. ft. passenger volume, 17 cu. ft. cargo volume).
Prius c Hybrid Synergy Drive Propulsion

The Prius c’s Hybrid Synergy Drive system integrates the operation of components that include a gasoline engine, an electric motor within a Continuously Variable Transaxle, a nickel-metal hydride battery, a power control unit (inverter), a DC¬DC converter, a step-up converter and a hybrid control computer. The hybrid control computer governs the seamless application of gasoline engine and electric power depending on driving demands and selected drive mode.
Gasoline Engine Engine Output Electric Motor Output Total System Output
Prius 1.8-liter, four-cylinder, Atkinson cycle with VVT-i 98 hp@5200 rpm 105 lb.-ft.@4000 rpm
80 hp (60 kW) 134 hp (100 kW)
Prius c 1.5-liter, four-cylinder, Atkinson cycle with VVT-i 73 hp@4800 rpm 82 lb.-ft@4000 rpm
60 hp (45kW) 99 hp (74 kW)

The Prius c relies on a Tier 2 Bin 3 rated 1.5-liter in-line, four-cylinder gasoline engine that utilizes an Atkinson cycle to increase efficiency. This engine produces 73 horsepower and 82 lb.-ft. of torque, contributing to a total hybrid system output of 99 hp.

The Prius c’s hybrid system utilizes a 144-volt nickel-metal hydride battery pack that has been located under the rear passenger seat, near the center of the vehicle, and low in the chassis to help improve the center of gravity.
Prius c offers three distinct drive modes: Normal, Eco, and EV mode. Eco mode reduces overall energy consumption by governing climate control and throttle to improve vehicle efficiency. Under certain conditions, the EV mode allows the Prius c to be driven solely by electric power for a short distance (about one kilometre) while remaining below 40 km/h.

Vehicle Structure – Improved Handling and Safety
The Prius c’s body structure makes extensive use of lightweight, high-strength steel to help reduce vehicle mass and improve fuel economy. The strategic use of high- tensile-strength steel contributes to the vehicle’s ability to absorb and disperse impact energies helping enhance occupant safety. The high level of torsional rigidity afforded by the Prius c body structure allows the suspension to be more optimally tuned for ride and handling.

Suspension and Steering for Enhanced Handling
The front suspension uses a Macpherson strut design, and the rear rides on a tuned torsion beam. The coil-spring and shock-absorber characteristics of the Prius c have been tuned to enhance handling, flat turning, and smooth ride comfort. Prius c is available with 15- or 16-inch wheel-and-tire combinations. The 15-inch wheels are available in steel with wheel cover for base model or in aluminum alloy for elevated trim levels. Prius c models equipped with the available 16-inch aluminum alloy wheels enjoy enhanced handling thanks to a faster steering ratio (2.28 turns lock to lock), which helps quicken the vehicle’s dynamic response.

Youthful Exterior and Interior Design
The Prius c exterior design helps project a fun, youthful attitude for this all-new addition to the Prius family, while offering excellent aerodynamic performance. Extensive aerodynamic features were engineered into the Prius c to help achieve a 0.28 coefficient of drag. Adding character to this subcompact, the Prius c’s lower-body styling is wider below the beltline, featuring sculpted rear flares to help express a sturdy, athletic stance that communicates a more agile driving experience.
The Prius c’s available exterior colors include vibrant hues that are unique and expressive. The available colors for Prius c include three new colors – Mandarin Orange, Aqua and Lime White Pearl – along with Blue Streak Metallic, Absolutely Red, Black Sand Pearl, Magnetic Gray Metallic, Classic Silver Metallic, and Alpine White.
The Prius c interior design seeks to create a space that is futuristic yet passenger friendly. Using blue/grey as a basic interior color, the door trim, seat surfaces, and instrument panel feature treatments in lighter colors to help create contrast.

Display Audio ®
The 2012 Prius c will offer two audio system configurations. A base audio system features 6 speakers, and includes AM/FM CD player with MP3/WMA playback capability, auxiliary audio jack, USB port with iPod® connectivity, hands-free phone capability, phone book access, and music streaming via Bluetooth® wireless technology.
The second audio system adds Display Audio with Navigation and SiriusXM™ Satellite Radio capability.

Standard Safety Features
The Prius c is equipped with nine airbags strategically located to help protect the driver and passengers in the event of certain types of accidents. The new 2012 Prius c, like all Toyota models, is equipped with the standard Star Safety System™, which includes Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC), Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), and Smart Stop Technology (SST).
* Estimated mileage – actual mileage will vary.

TORONTO, ON – January 4, 2012 – A year highlighted by new model introductions in several key automotive segments ended with a six-straight month of market share growth for the Toyota brand.
• Total December sales of 13,706 Toyota, Lexus and Scion vehicles represent a 41.5% boost over the same month in 2010.

“Six straight months of solid market share growth for the Toyota brand is a great way to finish 2011: It tells us we are delivering the cars, SUVs and trucks that Canadians want to drive – including Canada’s best selection of fuel-efficient, stylish and fun to drive vehicles in the perennially popular compact car category,” said Tony Wearing, Senior Managing Director, Toyota Canada Inc. “It’s also clear evidence that our global supply chain is fully recovered. With more exciting new vehicles on the way across all three of our brands, we look forward to continued growth in 2012.”

Toyota sales highlights for December 2011 (vs. December 2010)
• Total Toyota sales: 12,291 (up 41.8%)
• Toyota car sales: 6,137 (up 39.7%)
o Yaris Hatch sales: 661 (up 195.1%)
o Prius/Prius v sales: 319 (up 184.8%)
o Camry/Camry Hybrid sales: 1,389 (up 171.8%)
• Toyota truck sales: 6,154 (up 44.1%)
o RAV4 sales: 2,285 (up 92.5%) for best-ever December
o Venza sales: 1,098 (up 61.5%)
o Tundra sales: 532 (up 46.2%)
o Tacoma sales: 686 (up 31.2%)
• Toyota hybrid sales: 609 (up 120.7%)

“The redesigned 2012 Toyota Camry has led the mid-size segment in its first two full months of sales. This, plus strong sales of new models – including the all-new Prius v and the redesigned Yaris Hatch – have helped Toyota grow 19 % in the fourth quarter,” Mr. Wearing continued.

Highlights for 2012
•    A revised headlamp design, featuring reflector style halogen headlamps.
“The Yaris Sedan demonstrates that big ideas can come in small packages – with room for five, impressive safety features, and an extensive list of standard comfort and convenience features,” said Warren Orton, Director, Toyota Canada Inc. “What’s more, we’ve complemented the Yaris Sedan’s European-inspired styling and performance with a fresh headlamp design for the 2012 model year.”

Power and performance
The 2012 Toyota Yaris Sedan is powered by a 106 horsepower, 1.5-litre 4-cylinder engine for spirited acceleration, impressive fuel efficiency, and reduced emissions. The engine features a lightweight aluminum block, dual overhead cams, 16 valves, Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i), sequential multiport electronic fuel injection and an Electronic Throttle Control System with intelligence (ETCS-i), for a Tier 2 Bin 5 emissions rating.
Choose from a four-speed automatic or five-speed manual and know you’re enjoying impressive fuel efficiency numbers: 6.2L/100KM city/highway combined (manual) or 6.4L/100KM combined (automatic).

Handling and Control
Responsive steering, smooth ride, and an almost intuitive ability to hug the road: these are the hallmarks of the European-inspired performance found in every Toyota Yaris. The Yaris Sedan delivers confident, fun-to-drive handling and agility with: short overhangs, highly-responsive electric power steering, a low centre of gravity and a suspension geometry that features MacPherson struts, coil springs and a stabilizer bar up front and a Torsion Beam and coil spring arrangement at the rear.

Safety
From its impact absorbing structure to advanced active and passive safety systems, every 2012 Toyota Yaris Sedan is engineered to help prevent accidents, and to protect driver and passengers if an incident occurs, offering peace of mind to drivers and passengers:
•    All Yaris Sedans are standard equipped with the Toyota Star Safety System™, a suite of six active safety technologies designed to protect occupants by helping drivers avoid accidents in the first place. The Toyota Star Safety System includes Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC), Antilock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA) enhancements, plus Smart Stop Technology (SST)
•    The Yaris Sedan surrounds driver and friends in a suite of six airbags, including dual-stage driver and passenger airbags, front seat mounted side airbags, and front & rear side curtain airbags
•    A carefully engineered body structure that helps channel impact forces away from occupants and protect pedestrians in the event of an accident
•    Power-assisted front ventilated disc and rear drum brakes
•    All-position three point lap and shoulder belts plus pretensioners, force limiters and adjustable shoulder belt anchors for the front seatbelts
•    Anchor points for child-restraint seats and child protector rear door locks.

Full featured
The Yaris Sedan features a comfortable and functional interior with plenty of standard convenience and style features, including:
•    A four-speaker audio system featuring AM/FM/CD with MP3 capability and an auxiliary input jack for portable music players
•    A cabin air filter and rear seat heater ducts
•    Room for five in adjustable front bucket seats including a driver’s seat cushion height adjustment, and a 60/40 split fold-down rear seat with fold-down centre armrest
•    Dual vanity mirrors, a digital clock
•    Full instrumentation including a tachometer
•    A three-spoke steering wheel with tilting steering column
•    Smart in-cabin storage including a front console box with lid, front seat back pockets, front and rear cupholders and door map pockets
•    Engine immobilizer and remote fuel lid release
•    Dual exterior mirrors with manual remote control
•    Intermittent wipers with mist feature

Available packages
The 2012 Toyota Yaris Sedan may be ordered with one of two upgrade packages to add comfort, convenience and style:
The Convenience Package adds air conditioning, power windows, power door locks with keyless entry, front and rear splash guards, power adjustable and heated exterior mirrors, distinctive blacked-out side window frames and chrome trim on the trunk.
The Enhanced Convenience Package includes all items in the Convenience Package, plus cruise control.

Pricing and availability
The 2012 Toyota Yaris Sedan is now on sale at Canadian Toyota Dealers, with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price starting at $14, 400.

(TORONTO, ON – December 15, 2011) The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has announced its Top Safety Pick awards for 2012 and Toyota leads the industry with 15 awards for Toyota, Lexus and Scion vehicles.
“Canadian drivers count on third-party research to make wise choices when shopping for a vehicle,” said Sandy Di Felice, Director, External Affairs, Toyota Canada Inc. “Toyota has always taken safety seriously, which is why we’re delighted that the IIHS has awarded its Top Safety Pick award to 15 models across the Toyota, Lexus and Scion brands. “
All Toyota models are built to feature carefully-designed body structures that channel accident forces away from occupants, as well as full suites of airbags and other passive safety systems, and the six active safety technologies in the Star Safety System – all as standard equipment – because for Toyota, safety is not optional.

The IIHS Top Safety Pick includes three new or recently refreshed 2012 Toyota models:
•    Toyota Camry – the seventh generation of this popular sedan – provides class-leading safety in the mid-size segment with 10 standard airbags.
•    Toyota Prius v – an all-new model – introduces hybrid safety systems including an audible warning system that alerts pedestrians when the vehicle is operating in electric-only mode.
•    Toyota Yaris Hatchback – the second generation of one of Canada’s most popular subcompacts – has been completely re-designed and re-engineered with more space and more safety as standard.

In addition to these three, 12 other Toyota, Lexus and Scion models achieved IIHS Top Safety Pick awards in 2012:
•    Toyota: Corolla (built in Canada); Prius; Avalon; Highlander; Venza; Sienna; Tundra (crew cab)
•    Lexus: CT 200h; RX 350 (built in Canada)
•    Scion: tC; xB; xD.

NHTSA introduced tougher crash tests and rigorous new 5-Star Safety Ratings with the 2011 model year. The new series of tests, called the New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), includes frontal barrier and rollover crash tests as well as a combined side barrier and side pole test. The side pole test, which is new, simulates a 20-mph side impact crash into a 10-inch diameter pole or tree at a 75-degree angle just behind the A-pillar on the driver’s side. An overall rating of up to five stars is then assigned.