Industry Report: Toyota Canada Shows Exciting New Models and Concepts at CIAS

Toyota Forging Ahead with Flagship Avalon and a New Vision for Trucks

Toyota Canada Managing Director Stephen Beatty and Managing Director Tony Wearing addressed the Canadian media at the Canadian

Toyota Canada Managing Director Stephen Beatty introduces the new Avalon, totally redesigned from the ground up. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press)

International Auto Show (CIAS) on Wednesday, February 16, visibly excited about the record year the division achieved throughout 2004.

A key component of the excitement was the brand's new Avalon flagship sedan, totally redesigned from the ground up and much more attractive, in styling, driving dynamics and pricing than its predecessor.

Featuring a new 280-horsepower 3.5-litre V6 connecting through to a sophisticated 5-speed automatic transmission with manual-mode actuation, the Avalon boasts adrenalin inducing acceleration and sport sedan handling, plus a

Toyota Canada sold only 178 Avalons in 2004, a figure it expects to surpass by more than 1,800 units in 2006. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

premium-level interior, all for a very competitive $39,900, which is almost $6,000 less than the $45,830 2004 Avalon.

"I'm pleased to announce that the Avalon's suggested retail price starts at just $39,900 for the XLS model," said Beatty. "Really, the only thing separating Avalon from a luxury car is the price. It's this type of value that helps Toyota remain the number one passenger car nameplate in Canada."

Why the lower price? Toyota Canada sold only 178 Avalons in 2004, a figure it expects to surpass by more than 1,800 units in 2006. The price drop, superb build quality and exciting driving dynamics should make the difference.