Just recently, Toyota's luxury car brand Lexus won the 2007 J.D. Power's Vehicle Dependability Study and among the line-up of cars being tested Lexus received the lowest noted problems regarding quality and dependability. The luxury car brand is also known because of its quality parts which includes quality . Together with Buick, Lexus won the latest tests of J.D. Powers.
Now Toyota is venturing in making more sports cars. Just recently, yahoo news reported that the Japanese auto maker is planning to develop a new budget-friendly sports car for younger car enthusiasts. The world's famous hybrid maker Toyota Motor Corporation is said to collaborate with Fuji Heavy Industries Limited in making a new sports car for young drivers as reported last Friday.
Though the new sports car will be wearing the Toyota logo, it will be Fuji Heavy Industries which will be developing the new engine for the new sports car. Fuji also supplies engine parts for the Daihatsu subsidiary. Fuji was reportedly chosen to supply the future sport car with 2L engine because of its reputation in making light engines at a low cost.
The sports car will be built in a smaller body which will measure less than 4m long and 1.7 m wide. The engine will also give out 120 horsepower in light weight scale of 1,000kg. The sports car will also be based on the AE86 which was also seen on the anime series called Initial D.
This new Toyota will be wearing a price tag lower than 2 million yen or $16,780. The price is just enough for young drivers according to the Asahi news.
The Japanese car maker owns 8.7% stake on Fuji Heavy Industries Limited which are known makers of Subaru Vehicles. Toyota acquired the stake in October 2005. Both Japanese car makers declined to make a comment about their future collaboration.
Toyota is not known in making sports cars as much as it is known for making reliable family and hybrid vehicles, so Subaru's involvement in making engine parts for the Toyota's future sport car could turn out to be a great hit. Subaru is also reputed for making quality sports car. Some Subaru fans however, were a little disappointed with the reported collaboration. But others see this as a perfect opportunity for Toyota to further advance its position in the auto industry and with the consumers.
