Toyota to Sell Approaching Vehicle Audible System for 'Prius'
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Tokyo, Aug 24, 2010 -- Toyota Motor Corporation
announces that, in line with its efforts to
ensure an ever-safer traffic environment, it
will begin sales on August 30 of an onboard
device designed to alert pedestrians and others
audibly to the presence of a quiet vehicle,
such as a gasoline-electric hybrid. The device
will be available nationwide through authorized
Toyota dealers and Toyota genuine parts &
accessories distributors for retrofitting on
the third-generation "Prius" gasoline-electric
hybrid vehicle.
The onboard device
automatically emits a synthesized sound of an
electric motor when the Prius is operating as
an electric vehicle at speeds up to
approximately 25 km/h. The sound - aimed to
alert but not annoy - rises and falls in pitch
relative to the vehicle's speed, thus helping
indicate the vehicle's proximity and
movement.
The device is designed to meet
new Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport
and Tourism guidelines* for hybrid and other
near-silent vehicles.
TMC also plans
other versions of the device for use in
gasoline-electric hybrids, plug-in hybrids,
electric vehicles as well as fuel-cell hybrid
vehicles planned for launch.
* Issued in
January 2010 and based on assessments from the
Committee for the Consideration of
Countermeasures Regarding Quiet Hybrid and
Other Vehicles, in which TMC participated as a
member of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers
Association. The committee began assessing
possible countermeasures in July 2009, after
hearing concerns of drivers and other people
about gasoline-electric hybrids and electric
vehicles operating in near
silence.
About Toyota
Supported by
people around the world, Toyota Motor
Corporation, has endeavored since its
establishment in 1937 to serve society by
creating better products. Today, the Company
manufactures vehicles and parts at 53
production sites in 27 countries and regions
around the globe and is an active member in the
communities it serves. In fiscal 2009, ended
March 31, 2009, the Toyota Group sold
approximately 7.56 million vehicles in 170
countries and regions under the Toyota, Lexus,
Daihatsu, and Hino brands. For more
information, please visit
www.toyota.co.jp/en/index.html.