Despite wanting to save the planet from global warming, it’s considered impractical to own an electric vehicle in Malaysia and most parts of the world, which makes hybrid cars the best choice! After all, hybrid vehicles remain the most realistic, advanced and immediate solution, in terms of practicality and infrastructure, to achieve carbon neutrality and zero emissions.
In fact, UMW Toyota Motor is in support of the global initiative to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, evidenced by their groundbreaking hybrid technology to realise that goal. Here’s why we think hybrid cars are truly paving the future of mobility!
1. Gentle on the environment, along with your wallet by saving on fuel & maintenance
By combining petrol and electric energy, driving a hybrid vehicle will end up saving you more money in the long run with lower fuel costs. Some hybrid cars, like Toyota’s series, even have various modes like Sport, Eco and EV (Electric Vehicle) that you can switch on while on the go to control fuel usage, and spend less money on petrol based on the modes you choose.
It’s even cost-saving from a maintenance standpoint. For example, the batteries used in Toyota’s Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV) are designed to last throughout the car’s lifespan, not to mention their components cover the five most critical parameters for Malaysian car owners:
- Safety
- Long life service
- High level of quality
- Affordable high-quality products
- High-level performance
Now THAT’S a long-term, high-quality investment that every Malaysian can have peace of mind with.
2. Hybrid cars will bridge the gap between fuel-powered to all-electric vehicles
There are quite a few legit reasons why we almost never see electric vehicles, like lack of charging points, high costs, long charge time and so on. Which makes hybrid cars the perfect leeway for electric transportation, as it combines the best of both worlds by using a combination of electric and petrol power while we’re driving, especially Toyota’s HEVs.
HEV batteries, which power the electric motor, can even recharge automatically when we:
- Step on the brakes
- Step off the accelerator
- Keep the petrol engine on and running
That means no need to charge manually, solving the issue of needing charging ports! While we wait for electric vehicles to become more accessible in the future, hybrid cars are the best way to go right now.
3. Increase in demand for hybrid cars and electric vehicles (EV)
With more people understanding the severity of air pollutants, more of us will be inclined to go the extra mile and own an environmentally-friendly vehicle, especially when it’s accessible like hybrid vehicles – and the numbers prove it!
As the pioneer and leader in HEV technology, Toyota has sold over 19 million HEVs globally. In Europe, hybrid models now account for over 50% of Toyota’s annual sales volume while in almost every market, Toyota offers some models with hybrid electric technology and aims to increase the offerings in the years to come. To think that we aren’t even near the finish line yet is amazing.
4. Industry players are accelerating automotive technology towards electric
With the rise of green awareness among the public and dwindling resources for petrol cars, it seems natural for the automotive industry to eventually focus solely on electric vehicles, making them obsolete.
What’s more, Toyota announced that they’re ramping up investments to US$35 billion by 2030, to hasten the development of electric vehicles, hybrid and fuel cell vehicles. This is part of Toyota’s strategy for carbon neutrality, as part of the global commitment to reduce carbon dioxide emissions as much and as soon as possible.
Let’s work together to save our planet by driving responsibly!
We’re SO glad to know that at least one automotive industry leader is 100% committed to the cause, especially in Malaysia. Furthermore, UMW Toyota Motor is launching the all-new Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid to make this green dream a reality!
The Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid is the very first locally-assembled hybrid vehicle in Malaysia, equipped with the innovative Toyota New Global Architect (TNGA) platform.
Wait, what is this TNGA platform eh? Well, it’s actually a Toyota-designed internal structure that acts as the bones of the car. What makes these bones better, is that it gives car engineers more freedom to design the car the best they can, like a high-quality canvas for artists to work with. This means we can enjoy even more awesome features!
Plus, the TNGA platform gives the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid a solid structure that spared no expense on safety. Don’t believe us ah? It got a maximum 5-star safety rating from the ASEAN NCAP (New Car Assessment Program for Southeast Asian Countries)!
Here’s what else you can expect from this incredible new Hybrid vehicle:
- 1.8L Hybrid engine: combines a highly efficient petrol engine with two electric motors, to provide efficiency, drivability, performance and long-range between refuelling.
- Hybrid Electric System: A reliable and future-proof vehicle that’s easy on the wallet, offering lesser fuel costs, while providing greater controllability and instant torque, on top of an environmentally-conscious alternative.
- 4th generation Toyota Hybrid Electric System battery:
- Automatically recharges, eliminating concerns like limited driving range or the need to look for charging ports.
- Designed to last throughout the vehicle’s life.
- Toyota Safety Sense (TSS):
- A suite of integrated active safety systems to assist the driver which demonstrates Toyota Synergised Mobility.
- Pre-Collision System (PCS)
- Lane Departure Alert (LDA) with Steering Assist
- Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC)
- Lane Tracing Assist (LTA)
- Automatic High Beam (AHB)
- Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA)
- Tyre Pressure Warning System (TPWS)
- Seven SRS airbags for drivers and passengers
- A suite of integrated active safety systems to assist the driver which demonstrates Toyota Synergised Mobility.
The new Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid is priced at RM136,550 (minus insurance), and is available in five sleek finishes:
- Celestite Grey Metallic
- Silver Metallic
- Nebula Blue Metallic
- Platinum White Pearl
- Red Mica Metallic
Nebula Blue Metallic
Celestite Grey Metallic
A five-year/unlimited mileage factory warranty will be given, along with a separate eight-year/unlimited mileage warranty covering the hybrid battery pack, inverter and Power Management Control Unit. Customers can also extend their warranty for two more years, totalling up to 10 years, a first in the local industry.
With a strong service network of over 92 outlets, you can rest assured knowing that your HEV will get the best service it deserves. Bookings can be made from today at any authorized Toyota dealer or UMW Toyota Motor branch showroom nationwide.
Interested to learn more about Toyota’s latest releases? You can visit their website here or call the Toyota freephone line at 1-800-8-TOYOTA (869682).
