LEAD IN:

Japanese auto brand Toyota has showcased the second generation of its hydrogen fuel cell saloon car in the Netherlands.

The all-new Mirai claims a range of 650 kilometres without refuelling and is set for launch this year in Japan, North America and Europe. But lack of infrastructure persists.

STORY-LINE:

While most of the auto industry hurtles toward battery-electric vehicles, Japan's top car maker is also banking on hydrogen.

At an event in Amsterdam, Toyota is showing off its second generation Mirai fuel cell saloon, due for launch later this year in Japan, North America and Europe.

This version claims up to 30 percent more range thanks to a redesigned fuel cell system and new three-tank layout.

According to communications executive Vincent Dewaersegger, that means a range of 650 kilometres without refuelling.

"It's a small revolution, it can do 650 kilometres in one tank," he says.

"And you should remember, it's five minutes to refuel for a hundred percent refuel-refill, which is very good."

Toyota first introduced its hydrogen-powered Mirai sedan back in 2014 and has since sold 10,000 models.

A fuel cell mixes hydrogen with the oxygen in the air to generate electricity that can power a motor.

The main challenge is a lack of infrastructure. According to the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA), there are currently just 125 hydrogen stations in the EU.

Toyota is also showing off its new RAV4 plug-in hybrid in Amsterdam.

It's the fifth generation of the popular SUV and the first to offer a plug-in hybrid option.

Toyota luxury brand Lexus is showcasing a future vision of electric cars with this LF-30 concept car.

The LF-30 offers a vision of electric mobility in the 2030s with autonomous driving technologies and four in-wheel electric motors.

A steer-by-wire system eliminates mechanical connections, allowing more flexible control.

"It's not easy to define what type of car this is," says designer Ian Cartabiano.

"So, it's somewhere in between sedan, coupe, crossover, ultimate luxury car. I'm excited by the fact that we created a new category of luxury performance vehicle."

Lexus is also presenting the UX 300e, its first electric vehicle.

Its 54.3 kWh lithium-ion battery claims a range of 400 kilometres and a top speed of 160 kilometres per-hour.

Toyota's new GR Supra runs on traditional petrol.

With the new two-litre version, Toyota says it has lessened the weight, meaning a different driving experience.

"The biggest difference is the weight," says marketing executive Tatsuya Namura.

"There's a reduction of 100 kilograms, which really influences how the car drives and how you feel the car is driving."

Toyota also used the Amsterdam event to launch its new high-tech mobility brand, Kinto.

Under pressure from rideshare companies Uber and Lyft, Toyota is planning to offer car-sharing and ride-hailing services through Kinto.

"These customers of the future don't just want to own vehicles, they want to use them, some people want to just lease them, don't put them on their balance sheet," says Johan van Zyl, the president and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe.

"So therefore, we also need to ensure that we will be able to deliver on the new mobility services to customers and that we've launched today the Kinto brand, which is (an) umbrella brand for all the mobility services we're going to launch in Europe in future."

Amsterdam, Netherlands - 14 January 2020

1. Wide of screen, showing promo for new Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell car

2. Various of new Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell car

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Vincent Dewaersegger, Communications Executive, Toyota:

"The platform has been designed from the beginning for hydrogen component, so we could really have much more freedom in terms of styling, and we could have this kind of a coupe-like styling. Also, it's a new technology, more efficient and also, we have more tank capacity, more tanks. So that means the two together, we can really increase the range by 30 percent. So, it's quite, for me, it's a small revolution, it can do 650 kilometres in one tank. And you should remember, it's five minutes to refuel for a hundred percent refuel-refill, which is very good."

4. Mid of new Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell car

5. Mid of screen, showing new Toyota Mirai's hydrogen tanks

6. Mid of screen, showing new Toyota Mirai's range and refuelling time

7. Wide of new Toyota Mirai

8. Various of new Toyota RAV4 plug-in hybrid SUV

9. Various of new Lexus LF-30 electric concept car

10. Setup shot of Ian Cartabiano, LF-30 Chief Designer, opening LF-30 door

11. Close of Lexus LF-30 interior

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Ian Cartabiano, LF-30 Chief Designer:

"It's not easy to define what type of car this is. So, it's somewhere in between sedan, coupe, crossover, ultimate luxury car. I'm excited by the fact that we created a new category of luxury performance vehicle. And personally, I really love the profile and I love the shape language of this car. I love how it moves from fluid to extremely sharp at the rear and to me as the artist, that gets me excited."

13. Wide of Lexus LF-30 electric concept car

14. Various of Lexus UX300e electric car

15. Various of new Toyota GR Supra

16. SOUNDBITE (English) Tatsuya Namura, Marketing Executive, Toyota:

"The biggest difference is the weight. There's a reduction of 100 kilograms, which really influences how the car drives and how you feel the car is driving."

17. Close of new Toyota GR Supra interior

18. Mid of new Toyota GR Supra

19. Wide of Toyota presentation, announcement of Kinto brand

20. Close of Kinto logo onscreen

21. Setup shot of Johan van Zyl, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe, speaking during presentation

22. Wide of screen, reading (English): "Mobility for All"

23. SOUNDBITE (English) Johan van Zyl, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe:

"These customers of the future don't just want to own vehicles, they want to use them, some people want to just lease them, don't put them on their balance sheet. So therefore, we also need to ensure that we will be able to deliver on the new mobility services to customers and that we've launched today the Kinto brand, which is (an) umbrella brand for all the mobility services we're going to launch in Europe in future."

24. Various of Toyota LQ concept car

25. Various of Toyota personal mobility technology

LEAD IN:

Japanese auto brand Toyota has showcased the second generation of its hydrogen fuel cell saloon car in the Netherlands.

The all-new Mirai claims a range of 650 kilometres without refuelling and is set for launch this year in Japan, North America and Europe. But lack of infrastructure persists.

STORY-LINE:

While most of the auto industry hurtles toward battery-electric vehicles, Japan's top car maker is also banking on hydrogen.

At an event in Amsterdam, Toyota is showing off its second generation Mirai fuel cell saloon, due for launch later this year in Japan, North America and Europe.

This version claims up to 30 percent more range thanks to a redesigned fuel cell system and new three-tank layout.

According to communications executive Vincent Dewaersegger, that means a range of 650 kilometres without refuelling.

"It's a small revolution, it can do 650 kilometres in one tank," he says.

"And you should remember, it's five minutes to refuel for a hundred percent refuel-refill, which is very good."

Toyota first introduced its hydrogen-powered Mirai sedan back in 2014 and has since sold 10,000 models.

A fuel cell mixes hydrogen with the oxygen in the air to generate electricity that can power a motor.

The main challenge is a lack of infrastructure. According to the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA), there are currently just 125 hydrogen stations in the EU.

Toyota is also showing off its new RAV4 plug-in hybrid in Amsterdam.

It's the fifth generation of the popular SUV and the first to offer a plug-in hybrid option.

Toyota luxury brand Lexus is showcasing a future vision of electric cars with this LF-30 concept car.

The LF-30 offers a vision of electric mobility in the 2030s with autonomous driving technologies and four in-wheel electric motors.

A steer-by-wire system eliminates mechanical connections, allowing more flexible control.

"It's not easy to define what type of car this is," says designer Ian Cartabiano.

"So, it's somewhere in between sedan, coupe, crossover, ultimate luxury car. I'm excited by the fact that we created a new category of luxury performance vehicle."

Lexus is also presenting the UX 300e, its first electric vehicle.

Its 54.3 kWh lithium-ion battery claims a range of 400 kilometres and a top speed of 160 kilometres per-hour.

Toyota's new GR Supra runs on traditional petrol.

With the new two-litre version, Toyota says it has lessened the weight, meaning a different driving experience.

"The biggest difference is the weight," says marketing executive Tatsuya Namura.

"There's a reduction of 100 kilograms, which really influences how the car drives and how you feel the car is driving."

Toyota also used the Amsterdam event to launch its new high-tech mobility brand, Kinto.

Under pressure from rideshare companies Uber and Lyft, Toyota is planning to offer car-sharing and ride-hailing services through Kinto.

"These customers of the future don't just want to own vehicles, they want to use them, some people want to just lease them, don't put them on their balance sheet," says Johan van Zyl, the president and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe.

"So therefore, we also need to ensure that we will be able to deliver on the new mobility services to customers and that we've launched today the Kinto brand, which is (an) umbrella brand for all the mobility services we're going to launch in Europe in future."

Amsterdam, Netherlands - 14 January 2020

1. Wide of screen, showing promo for new Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell car

2. Various of new Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell car

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Vincent Dewaersegger, Communications Executive, Toyota:

"The platform has been designed from the beginning for hydrogen component, so we could really have much more freedom in terms of styling, and we could have this kind of a coupe-like styling. Also, it's a new technology, more efficient and also, we have more tank capacity, more tanks. So that means the two together, we can really increase the range by 30 percent. So, it's quite, for me, it's a small revolution, it can do 650 kilometres in one tank. And you should remember, it's five minutes to refuel for a hundred percent refuel-refill, which is very good."

4. Mid of new Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell car

5. Mid of screen, showing new Toyota Mirai's hydrogen tanks

6. Mid of screen, showing new Toyota Mirai's range and refuelling time

7. Wide of new Toyota Mirai

8. Various of new Toyota RAV4 plug-in hybrid SUV

9. Various of new Lexus LF-30 electric concept car

10. Setup shot of Ian Cartabiano, LF-30 Chief Designer, opening LF-30 door

11. Close of Lexus LF-30 interior

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Ian Cartabiano, LF-30 Chief Designer:

"It's not easy to define what type of car this is. So, it's somewhere in between sedan, coupe, crossover, ultimate luxury car. I'm excited by the fact that we created a new category of luxury performance vehicle. And personally, I really love the profile and I love the shape language of this car. I love how it moves from fluid to extremely sharp at the rear and to me as the artist, that gets me excited."

13. Wide of Lexus LF-30 electric concept car

14. Various of Lexus UX300e electric car

15. Various of new Toyota GR Supra

16. SOUNDBITE (English) Tatsuya Namura, Marketing Executive, Toyota:

"The biggest difference is the weight. There's a reduction of 100 kilograms, which really influences how the car drives and how you feel the car is driving."

17. Close of new Toyota GR Supra interior

18. Mid of new Toyota GR Supra

19. Wide of Toyota presentation, announcement of Kinto brand

20. Close of Kinto logo onscreen

21. Setup shot of Johan van Zyl, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe, speaking during presentation

22. Wide of screen, reading (English): "Mobility for All"

23. SOUNDBITE (English) Johan van Zyl, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe:

"These customers of the future don't just want to own vehicles, they want to use them, some people want to just lease them, don't put them on their balance sheet. So therefore, we also need to ensure that we will be able to deliver on the new mobility services to customers and that we've launched today the Kinto brand, which is (an) umbrella brand for all the mobility services we're going to launch in Europe in future."

24. Various of Toyota LQ concept car

25. Various of Toyota personal mobility technology

LEAD IN:

Japanese auto brand Toyota has showcased the second generation of its hydrogen fuel cell saloon car in the Netherlands.

The all-new Mirai claims a range of 650 kilometres without refuelling and is set for launch this year in Japan, North America and Europe. But lack of infrastructure persists.

STORY-LINE:

While most of the auto industry hurtles toward battery-electric vehicles, Japan's top car maker is also banking on hydrogen.

At an event in Amsterdam, Toyota is showing off its second generation Mirai fuel cell saloon, due for launch later this year in Japan, North America and Europe.

This version claims up to 30 percent more range thanks to a redesigned fuel cell system and new three-tank layout.

According to communications executive Vincent Dewaersegger, that means a range of 650 kilometres without refuelling.

"It's a small revolution, it can do 650 kilometres in one tank," he says.

"And you should remember, it's five minutes to refuel for a hundred percent refuel-refill, which is very good."

Toyota first introduced its hydrogen-powered Mirai sedan back in 2014 and has since sold 10,000 models.

A fuel cell mixes hydrogen with the oxygen in the air to generate electricity that can power a motor.

The main challenge is a lack of infrastructure. According to the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA), there are currently just 125 hydrogen stations in the EU.

Toyota is also showing off its new RAV4 plug-in hybrid in Amsterdam.

It's the fifth generation of the popular SUV and the first to offer a plug-in hybrid option.

Toyota luxury brand Lexus is showcasing a future vision of electric cars with this LF-30 concept car.

The LF-30 offers a vision of electric mobility in the 2030s with autonomous driving technologies and four in-wheel electric motors.

A steer-by-wire system eliminates mechanical connections, allowing more flexible control.

"It's not easy to define what type of car this is," says designer Ian Cartabiano.

"So, it's somewhere in between sedan, coupe, crossover, ultimate luxury car. I'm excited by the fact that we created a new category of luxury performance vehicle."

Lexus is also presenting the UX 300e, its first electric vehicle.

Its 54.3 kWh lithium-ion battery claims a range of 400 kilometres and a top speed of 160 kilometres per-hour.

Toyota's new GR Supra runs on traditional petrol.

With the new two-litre version, Toyota says it has lessened the weight, meaning a different driving experience.

"The biggest difference is the weight," says marketing executive Tatsuya Namura.

"There's a reduction of 100 kilograms, which really influences how the car drives and how you feel the car is driving."

Toyota also used the Amsterdam event to launch its new high-tech mobility brand, Kinto.

Under pressure from rideshare companies Uber and Lyft, Toyota is planning to offer car-sharing and ride-hailing services through Kinto.

"These customers of the future don't just want to own vehicles, they want to use them, some people want to just lease them, don't put them on their balance sheet," says Johan van Zyl, the president and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe.

"So therefore, we also need to ensure that we will be able to deliver on the new mobility services to customers and that we've launched today the Kinto brand, which is (an) umbrella brand for all the mobility services we're going to launch in Europe in future."

Amsterdam, Netherlands - 14 January 2020

1. Wide of screen, showing promo for new Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell car

2. Various of new Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell car

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Vincent Dewaersegger, Communications Executive, Toyota:

"The platform has been designed from the beginning for hydrogen component, so we could really have much more freedom in terms of styling, and we could have this kind of a coupe-like styling. Also, it's a new technology, more efficient and also, we have more tank capacity, more tanks. So that means the two together, we can really increase the range by 30 percent. So, it's quite, for me, it's a small revolution, it can do 650 kilometres in one tank. And you should remember, it's five minutes to refuel for a hundred percent refuel-refill, which is very good."

4. Mid of new Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell car

5. Mid of screen, showing new Toyota Mirai's hydrogen tanks

6. Mid of screen, showing new Toyota Mirai's range and refuelling time

7. Wide of new Toyota Mirai

8. Various of new Toyota RAV4 plug-in hybrid SUV

9. Various of new Lexus LF-30 electric concept car

10. Setup shot of Ian Cartabiano, LF-30 Chief Designer, opening LF-30 door

11. Close of Lexus LF-30 interior

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Ian Cartabiano, LF-30 Chief Designer:

"It's not easy to define what type of car this is. So, it's somewhere in between sedan, coupe, crossover, ultimate luxury car. I'm excited by the fact that we created a new category of luxury performance vehicle. And personally, I really love the profile and I love the shape language of this car. I love how it moves from fluid to extremely sharp at the rear and to me as the artist, that gets me excited."

13. Wide of Lexus LF-30 electric concept car

14. Various of Lexus UX300e electric car

15. Various of new Toyota GR Supra

16. SOUNDBITE (English) Tatsuya Namura, Marketing Executive, Toyota:

"The biggest difference is the weight. There's a reduction of 100 kilograms, which really influences how the car drives and how you feel the car is driving."

17. Close of new Toyota GR Supra interior

18. Mid of new Toyota GR Supra

19. Wide of Toyota presentation, announcement of Kinto brand

20. Close of Kinto logo onscreen

21. Setup shot of Johan van Zyl, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe, speaking during presentation

22. Wide of screen, reading (English): "Mobility for All"

23. SOUNDBITE (English) Johan van Zyl, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe:

"These customers of the future don't just want to own vehicles, they want to use them, some people want to just lease them, don't put them on their balance sheet. So therefore, we also need to ensure that we will be able to deliver on the new mobility services to customers and that we've launched today the Kinto brand, which is (an) umbrella brand for all the mobility services we're going to launch in Europe in future."

24. Various of Toyota LQ concept car

25. Various of Toyota personal mobility technology

LEAD IN

Toyota has unveiled its latest flagship Avalon vehicle at the Detroit motor show.

It's packed with technology, including Apple CarPlay and Alexa voice controls to appeal to younger buyers.

STORY-LINE

Toyota has taken the wraps off its revamped Avalon, which features a longer, lower and wider exterior and a rear cabin extends another 7 inches (17.8 centimeters), yet overall height measurements have been trimmed by about an inch (2.5 centimeters).

The automaker boasts of a "neater" steering wheel, with a smaller switch cluster, enlarged hand grips and cruise control now accessible on the right spoke.

The 2019 Toyota Avalon will be available in four trim packages including the XSE, Touring, XLE and Limited.

The car has two new powertrains: a 3.5-liter V6 and 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid system.

Jack Hollis, Group Vice President of Toyota North America says it also comes packed with technology.

"And Avalon wows guests also with the full spectrum of Toyota technology . So here's a few a 7 inch multi-informational display shows information like turn by turn navigation. A 10 inch head-up display - the biggest in the segment - provides info like engine speed and directions and audio settings. There's QI wireless charging, a WiFi hotspot, 5 USB outlets and a mobile device holder. We're happy to say that Entune 3.0 and a JBL audio experience are available on every single grade. And a nother Toyota first. Now are you ready? Apple car play is finally standard."

The Avalon also comes standard with the Toyota Safety Sense P suite of safety systems, according Hollis.

"Now while it's more efficient, stylish and athletic, Avalon is also stuffed with the latest in safety technology. Toyota safety sensors are standard across the entire line up and represents one step closer to achieving Toyota's goal of zero casualties from traffic accidents," he says.

The new Avalon also can connect with a smart watch or Amazon Alexa-enabled device.

"Through touch or voice commands, a guest can lock or unlock their doors, or start their engine or even go check their fuel levels securely and safely. And on top of that, we are among the first to actually implement Alexa connectivity with the skills needed to execute from home to car and car to home commands. This is just another example of how we're allowing our guests to better thrive and participate in the ever changing world of connective technology," says Hollis.

The Michigan-designed Avalon will arrive in showrooms in late spring.

1. Video presentation of new Toyota Avalon and vehicles driving on stage

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Jack Hollis, Group Vice President of Toyota North America:

"The 2019 Avalon is the premiere Toyota flagship. It represents a clear progressive dialogue between our American design, engineering and manufacturing experts. And to that end, whether it's inside or out, Avalon has a long list of Toyota firsts."

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Jack Hollis, Group Vice President of Toyota North America:

"So as you can see the Avalon - it's longer, it's wider, it's lower, its wheelbase is extended, and its overhangs are shorter. Yep, it's sleek and sophisticated. It's technical beauty."

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Jack Hollis, Group Vice President of Toyota North America:

"And Avalon wows guests also with the full spectrum of Toyota technology . So here's a few: a 7 inch multi-informational display shows information like turn by turn navigation. A 10 inch head-up display - the biggest in the segment - provides info like engine speed and directions and audio settings. There's QI wireless charging, a WiFi hotspot, 5 USB outlets and a mobile device holder. We're happy to say that Entune 3.0 and a JBL audio experience are available on every single grade. And another Toyota first. Now are you ready? Apple CarPlay is finally standard."

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Jack Hollis, Group Vice President of Toyota North America:

"Now while it's more efficient, stylish and athletic, Avalon is also stuffed with the latest in safety technology. Toyota safety sensors are standard across the entire line up and represents one step closer to achieving Toyota's goal of zero casualties from traffic accidents."

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Jack Hollis, Group Vice President of Toyota North America:

"Through touch or voice commands, a guest can lock or unlock their doors, or start their engine or even check their fuel levels securely and safely. And on top of that, we are among the first to actually implement Alexa connectivity with the skills needed to execute from a home to car and car to home commands. This is just another example of how we're allowing our guests to better thrive and participate in the ever changing world of connective technology."

7. End of presentation on stage

LEADIN

Toyota has unveiled its latest flagship Avalon vehicle at the Detroit motor show.

It's packed with technology, including Apple CarPlay and Alexa voice controls to appeal to younger buyers.

STORYLINE

Toyota has taken the wraps off its revamped Avalon, which features a longer, lower and wider exterior and a rear cabin extends another 7 inches (17.8 centimeters), yet overall height measurements have been trimmed by about an inch (2.5 centimeters).

The automaker boasts of a "neater" steering wheel, with a smaller switch cluster, enlarged hand grips and cruise control now accessible on the right spoke.

The 2019 Toyota Avalon will be available in four trim packages including the XSE, Touring, XLE and Limited.

The car has two new powertrains: a 3.5-liter V6 and 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid system.

Jack Hollis, Group Vice President of Toyota North America says it also comes packed with technology.

"And Avalon wows guests also with the full spectrum of Toyota technology . So here's a few a 7 inch multi-informational display shows information like turn by turn navigation. A 10 inch head-up display - the biggest in the segment - provides info like engine speed and directions and audio settings. There's QI wireless charging, a WiFi hotspot, 5 USB outlets and a mobile device holder. We're happy to say that Entune 3.0 and a JBL audio experience are available on every single grade. And a nother Toyota first. Now are you ready? Apple car play is finally standard."

The Avalon also comes standard with the Toyota Safety Sense P suite of safety systems, according Hollis.

"Now while it's more efficient, stylish and athletic, Avalon is also stuffed with the latest in safety technology. Toyota safety sensors are standard across the entire line up and represents one step closer to achieving Toyota's goal of zero casualties from traffic accidents," he says.

The new Avalon also can connect with a smart watch or Amazon Alexa-enabled device.

"Through touch or voice commands, a guest can lock or unlock their doors, or start their engine or even go check their fuel levels securely and safely. And on top of that, we are among the first to actually implement Alexa connectivity with the skills needed to execute from home to car and car to home commands. This is just another example of how we're allowing our guests to better thrive and participate in the ever changing world of connective technology," says Hollis.

The Michigan-designed Avalon will arrive in showrooms in late spring.

1. Video presentation of new Toyota Avalon and vehicles driving on stage

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Jack Hollis, Group Vice President of Toyota North America:

"The 2019 Avalon is the premiere Toyota flagship. It represents a clear progressive dialogue between our American design, engineering and manufacturing experts. And to that end, whether it's inside or out, Avalon has a long list of Toyota firsts."

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Jack Hollis, Group Vice President of Toyota North America:

"So as you can see the Avalon - it's longer, it's wider, it's lower, its wheelbase is extended, and its overhangs are shorter. Yep, it's sleek and sophisticated. It's technical beauty."

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Jack Hollis, Group Vice President of Toyota North America:

"And Avalon wows guests also with the full spectrum of Toyota technology . So here's a few: a 7 inch multi-informational display shows information like turn by turn navigation. A 10 inch head-up display - the biggest in the segment - provides info like engine speed and directions and audio settings. There's QI wireless charging, a WiFi hotspot, 5 USB outlets and a mobile device holder. We're happy to say that Entune 3.0 and a JBL audio experience are available on every single grade. And another Toyota first. Now are you ready? Apple CarPlay is finally standard."

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Jack Hollis, Group Vice President of Toyota North America:

"Now while it's more efficient, stylish and athletic, Avalon is also stuffed with the latest in safety technology. Toyota safety sensors are standard across the entire line up and represents one step closer to achieving Toyota's goal of zero casualties from traffic accidents."

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Jack Hollis, Group Vice President of Toyota North America:

"Through touch or voice commands, a guest can lock or unlock their doors, or start their engine or even check their fuel levels securely and safely. And on top of that, we are among the first to actually implement Alexa connectivity with the skills needed to execute from a home to car and car to home commands. This is just another example of how we're allowing our guests to better thrive and participate in the ever changing world of connective technology."

7. End of presentation on stage

LEADIN

Toyota has unveiled its latest flagship Avalon vehicle at the Detroit motor show.

It's packed with technology, including Apple CarPlay and Alexa voice controls to appeal to younger buyers.

STORYLINE

Toyota has taken the wraps off its revamped Avalon, which features a longer, lower and wider exterior and a rear cabin extends another 7 inches (17.8 centimeters), yet overall height measurements have been trimmed by about an inch (2.5 centimeters).

The automaker boasts of a "neater" steering wheel, with a smaller switch cluster, enlarged hand grips and cruise control now accessible on the right spoke.

The 2019 Toyota Avalon will be available in four trim packages including the XSE, Touring, XLE and Limited.

The car has two new powertrains: a 3.5-liter V6 and 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid system.

Jack Hollis, Group Vice President of Toyota North America says it also comes packed with technology.

"And Avalon wows guests also with the full spectrum of Toyota technology . So here's a few a 7 inch multi-informational display shows information like turn by turn navigation. A 10 inch head-up display - the biggest in the segment - provides info like engine speed and directions and audio settings. There's QI wireless charging, a WiFi hotspot, 5 USB outlets and a mobile device holder. We're happy to say that Entune 3.0 and a JBL audio experience are available on every single grade. And a nother Toyota first. Now are you ready? Apple car play is finally standard."

The Avalon also comes standard with the Toyota Safety Sense P suite of safety systems, according Hollis.

"Now while it's more efficient, stylish and athletic, Avalon is also stuffed with the latest in safety technology. Toyota safety sensors are standard across the entire line up and represents one step closer to achieving Toyota's goal of zero casualties from traffic accidents," he says.

The new Avalon also can connect with a smart watch or Amazon Alexa-enabled device.

"Through touch or voice commands, a guest can lock or unlock their doors, or start their engine or even go check their fuel levels securely and safely. And on top of that, we are among the first to actually implement Alexa connectivity with the skills needed to execute from home to car and car to home commands. This is just another example of how we're allowing our guests to better thrive and participate in the ever changing world of connective technology," says Hollis.

The Michigan-designed Avalon will arrive in showrooms in late spring.

1. Video presentation of new Toyota Avalon and vehicles driving on stage

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Jack Hollis, Group Vice President of Toyota North America:

"The 2019 Avalon is the premiere Toyota flagship. It represents a clear progressive dialogue between our American design, engineering and manufacturing experts. And to that end, whether it's inside or out, Avalon has a long list of Toyota firsts."

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Jack Hollis, Group Vice President of Toyota North America:

"So as you can see the Avalon - it's longer, it's wider, it's lower, its wheelbase is extended, and its overhangs are shorter. Yep, it's sleek and sophisticated. It's technical beauty."

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Jack Hollis, Group Vice President of Toyota North America:

"And Avalon wows guests also with the full spectrum of Toyota technology . So here's a few: a 7 inch multi-informational display shows information like turn by turn navigation. A 10 inch head-up display - the biggest in the segment - provides info like engine speed and directions and audio settings. There's QI wireless charging, a WiFi hotspot, 5 USB outlets and a mobile device holder. We're happy to say that Entune 3.0 and a JBL audio experience are available on every single grade. And another Toyota first. Now are you ready? Apple CarPlay is finally standard."

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Jack Hollis, Group Vice President of Toyota North America:

"Now while it's more efficient, stylish and athletic, Avalon is also stuffed with the latest in safety technology. Toyota safety sensors are standard across the entire line up and represents one step closer to achieving Toyota's goal of zero casualties from traffic accidents."

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Jack Hollis, Group Vice President of Toyota North America:

"Through touch or voice commands, a guest can lock or unlock their doors, or start their engine or even check their fuel levels securely and safely. And on top of that, we are among the first to actually implement Alexa connectivity with the skills needed to execute from a home to car and car to home commands. This is just another example of how we're allowing our guests to better thrive and participate in the ever changing world of connective technology."

7. End of presentation on stage

LEAD IN:

Toyota is returning to rally car racing with the debut of a Yaris WRC to compete in next year's World Rally Championship (WRC) series.

The car maker is also teaming up with Microsoft to open the Toyota Research Institute.

STORY-LINE:

Revving back on to the World Rally Championship (WRC) stage, this is the car Toyota is hoping will help race ahead of the competition.

The Yaris WRC will make its debut in the 2017 World Rally Championship as the Toyota Gazoo Racing team.

Akio Toyoda, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Corporation, made the announcement at the Paris Motor Show.

"Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. I am pleased to introduce Toyota's new WRC Yaris which will debut in next year's WRC series race. It's been 17 long years since we competed in WRC. So I guess you could say we are well rested," he says.

Toyota is collaborating with software giant Microsoft , which is supporting the racing project.

Information gathered from the racing car's performance will be used to enhance other vehicle projects.

The two companies have worked together previously collecting data through the Toyota Connected company.

They will now collaborate and form the Toyota Research Institute.

"We are indeed very happy to have Microsoft on our team in a quest to make ever better cars. With 100 million Toyotas on the road today, to me the true benefit of selling all those cars is that we can study and learn from them in order to one day totally eliminate automobile accidents and fatalities. That is one of our primary goals at the newly formed Toyota Research Institute. Its mission: to reach the next frontier in mobility. Or to put it another way: to boldly go where no car has gone before," says Toyoda.

Toyota also announced that it is working to develop driverless car technology and will be concentrating on two different modes of autonomy: chauffer mode and guardian mode.

Paris, France - 29 September 2016

1. Wide of Toyota presentation with WRC (World Rally Championship) Yaris driving on stage

2. Wide of Akio Toyoda, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Corporation walking on stage

UPSOUND: (English) Akio Toyoda, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Corporation:

"Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. I am pleased to introduce Toyota's new WRC Yaris which will debut in next year's WRC series. It's been 17 long years since we competed in WRC. So I guess you could say we are well rested."

3. Wide of Akio Toyoda, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Corporation on stage

UPSOUND: (English) Akio Toyoda, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Corporation:

"It's wonderful to be here in Europe, the centre of automotive racing with a heritage and brand I've long admired. A racing fan myself, nothing gives me greater pleasure than test driving one of the vehicles like this new Yaris built right here in France."

4. Wide of Akio Toyoda, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Corporation on stage

UPSOUND: (English) Akio Toyoda, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Corporation:

"Microsoft has been an investor in our data analytics company Toyota Connected, making them more than just a software supplier. We are indeed very happy to have Microsoft on our team in a quest to make ever better cars. With 100 million Toyotas on the road today, to me the true benefit of selling all those cars is that we can study and learn from them in order to one day totally eliminate automobile accidents and fatalities. That is one of our primary goals of the newly formed Toyota Research Institute. Its mission: to reach the next frontier in mobility. Or to put it another way: to boldly go where no car has gone before."

5. Wide of Akio Toyoda, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Corporation on stage

UPSOUND: (English) Akio Toyoda, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Corporation:

"Though not widely known, Toyota has been working on the development of autonomous cars for many years now. The team will be building on this foundation, developing two kinds of autonomy : chauffer mode and guardian mode.

6. Wide of Akio Toyoda, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Corporation on stage with Yaris

LEAD IN:

Toyota is returning to rally car racing with the debut of a Yaris WRC to compete in next year's World Rally Championship (WRC) series.

The car maker is also teaming up with Microsoft to open the Toyota Research Institute.

STORY-LINE:

Revving back on to the World Rally Championship (WRC) stage, this is the car Toyota is hoping will help race ahead of the competition.

The Yaris WRC will make its debut in the 2017 World Rally Championship as the Toyota Gazoo Racing team.

Akio Toyoda, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Corporation, made the announcement at the Paris Motor Show.

"Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. I am pleased to introduce Toyota's new WRC Yaris which will debut in next year's WRC series race. It's been 17 long years since we competed in WRC. So I guess you could say we are well rested," he says.

Toyota is collaborating with software giant Microsoft , which is supporting the racing project.

Information gathered from the racing car's performance will be used to enhance other vehicle projects.

The two companies have worked together previously collecting data through the Toyota Connected company.

They will now collaborate and form the Toyota Research Institute.

"We are indeed very happy to have Microsoft on our team in a quest to make ever better cars. With 100 million Toyotas on the road today, to me the true benefit of selling all those cars is that we can study and learn from them in order to one day totally eliminate automobile accidents and fatalities. That is one of our primary goals at the newly formed Toyota Research Institute. Its mission: to reach the next frontier in mobility. Or to put it another way: to boldly go where no car has gone before," says Toyoda.

Toyota also announced that it is working to develop driverless car technology and will be concentrating on two different modes of autonomy: chauffer mode and guardian mode.

Paris, France - 29 September 2016

1. Wide of Toyota presentation with WRC (World Rally Championship) Yaris driving on stage

2. Wide of Akio Toyoda, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Corporation walking on stage

UPSOUND: (English) Akio Toyoda, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Corporation:

"Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. I am pleased to introduce Toyota's new WRC Yaris which will debut in next year's WRC series. It's been 17 long years since we competed in WRC. So I guess you could say we are well rested."

3. Wide of Akio Toyoda, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Corporation on stage

UPSOUND: (English) Akio Toyoda, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Corporation:

"It's wonderful to be here in Europe, the centre of automotive racing with a heritage and brand I've long admired. A racing fan myself, nothing gives me greater pleasure than test driving one of the vehicles like this new Yaris built right here in France."

4. Wide of Akio Toyoda, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Corporation on stage

UPSOUND: (English) Akio Toyoda, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Corporation:

"Microsoft has been an investor in our data analytics company Toyota Connected, making them more than just a software supplier. We are indeed very happy to have Microsoft on our team in a quest to make ever better cars. With 100 million Toyotas on the road today, to me the true benefit of selling all those cars is that we can study and learn from them in order to one day totally eliminate automobile accidents and fatalities. That is one of our primary goals of the newly formed Toyota Research Institute. Its mission: to reach the next frontier in mobility. Or to put it another way: to boldly go where no car has gone before."

5. Wide of Akio Toyoda, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Corporation on stage

UPSOUND: (English) Akio Toyoda, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Corporation:

"Though not widely known, Toyota has been working on the development of autonomous cars for many years now. The team will be building on this foundation, developing two kinds of autonomy : chauffer mode and guardian mode.

6. Wide of Akio Toyoda, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Corporation on stage with Yaris

US: CES TOYOTA

SOURCE: AP TECHNOLOGY

RESTRICTIONS: TECHNOLOGY CLIENTS ONLY

LENGTH: 3.22

SHOTLIST:

AP Television

Vegas, 5th January 2016

1. Bob Carter, Senior Vice President of Automotive Operations at Toyota, on stage in front of a video presentation

2. SOUNDBITE: Bob Carter, Senior Vice President of Automotive Operations at Toyota:

"Toyota's vision of the future mobility includes two important pathways that we must travel simultaneously. One will eventually provide access to mobility for everyone, no matter what their physical limitations are, via the adoption of fully autonomous technologies, importantly including personal robotics. The other will provide a more immediate reward and as Dr. (Gill) Pratt will describe, is the goal of TRI (Toyota Research Institute) to accelerate machine learning."

3. Pull out from audience members taking photos to presentation on big screen on stage

4. SOUNDBITE: Dr. Gill Pratt, CEO, Toyota Research Institute:

"Number one: We want to enhance the safety of automobiles again with ultimate the goal, as Bob said, of creating a car that is incapable of causing a crash."

5. Audience members taking photos

6. SOUNDBITE: Dr. Gill Pratt, CEO, Toyota Research Institute:

"Number two: We want to increase access to cars to those who cannot otherwise drive this includes people with special needs and seniors. That's the area where we need full autonomy as opposed to driver assist, and stopping accidents from happening."

7. Presentation on car technology on big screen on stage

8. SOUNDBITE: Dr. Gill Pratt, CEO, Toyota Research Institute:

"A team at MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) is going to lead a project called 'The Car Can Explain' - a really neat title to get. So this is about teaching machines and AI (artificial technology) systems in particular to tell stories about themselves. Explanatory stories. Autonomous technology strives to be perfect, how do we actually get to that critical point where a car is incapable of causing a crash."

9. Presentation on materials science on big screen on stage

10. SOUNDBITE: Dr. Gill Pratt, CEO, Toyota Research Institute:

"Our interest at Toyota is finding new materials for a number of reasons. Materials that can increase the strength and lower the weight and the cost of cars. It includes materials that can improve the efficiency and lower the cost of fuel sales. Materials for all uses. What we aim to do at TRI in this field is to utilise computation and machine learning to accelerate scientific discovery in this area. To lower the cost and improve the performance of future mobility systems."

11. Toyota Research Institute logo on big screen

12. SOUNDBITE: Gill Pratt, CEO, Toyota Research Institute:

"And this is why Toyota and TRI are working to transform mobility from outdoors to include indoors. In fact, when we think about the love that people have for their cars, home robots may eventually become more even personally prized in the future than cars have been in the past."

13. End of presentation

LEADIN:

Toyota says its vision for the future includes artificial intelligence and robotics.

In automobiles the company aims to create the ultimate car that cannot crash.

But beyond that it is also moving towards producing software, data and robots.

STORYLINE:

Toyota is presenting its vision of the future at CES. Bob Carter, Senior Vice President, Automotive Operations, Toyota explains:

"Toyota's vision of the future mobility includes two important pathways that we must travel simultaneously. One will eventually provide access to mobility for everyone, no matter what their physical limitations are, via the adoption of fully autonomous technologies, importantly including personal robotics. The other will provide a more immediate reward and as Dr. (Gill) Pratt will describe, is the goal of TRI (Toyota Research Institute) to accelerate machine learning."

As part of a USD $1 billion investment, the Toyota Research Institute will open for business this month. Its mandates are to create cars that are incapable of having an accident, create cars that can be driven by the elderly and disabled, research materials that will make cars lighter and more efficient and use artificial intelligence and robotics for both outdoor and indoor mobility technology.

"Number one: We want to enhance the safety of automobiles again with ultimate the goal, as Bob said, of creating a car that is incapable of causing a crash," says Dr. Gill Pratt, CEO of the Toyota Research Institute.

"Number two: We want to increase access to cars to those who cannot otherwise drive this includes people with special needs and seniors. That's the area where we need full autonomy as opposed to driver assist, and stopping accidents from happening," he adds.

Toyota has committed $50 million over the next five years to support collaborative research into artificial intelligence and robotics at Stanford University and MIT Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The programme has funded just under thirty projects that include research into a future vehicle programmed to react to unexpected events such as debris falling off a truck travelling in front of it. The aim is to measure cars for known and unknown risks - creating the ultimate car that cannot crash.

A further project includes teaching machines to tell stories about themselves. The ultimate aim is for an AI car to be able to explain its actions when it does something unexpected in a life or death decision.

"A team at MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) is going to lead a project called 'The Car Can Explain' - a really neat title to get. So this is about teaching machines and AI (artificial technology) systems in particular to tell stories about themselves. Explanatory stories. Autonomous technology strives to be perfect, how do we actually get to that critical point where a car is incapable of causing a crash," explains Dr. Pratt.

Toyota is also investing in finding new materials to improve the performance of future automobiles.

"Our interest at Toyota is finding new materials for a number of reasons. Materials that can increase the strength and lower the weight and the cost of cars. It includes materials that can improve the efficiency and lower the cost of fuel sales. Materials for all uses. What we aim to do at TRI in this field is to utilise computation and machine learning to accelerate scientific discovery in this area. To lower the cost and improve the performance of future mobility systems," says Pratt.

Pratt explains that Toyota will no longer be solely a car manufacturer, that it is moving towards software and data including the creation of robots.

"And this is why Toyota and TRI are working to transform mobility from outdoors to include indoors. In fact, when we think about the love that people have for their cars, home robots may eventually become more even personally prized in the future than cars have been in the past," says Pratt.

CES runs until 9 January.

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LEADIN:

Toyota gave the automotive industry a hydrogen-powered kick at the International CES event in Las Vegas.

The Japanese car manufacturers announced they're set to make available thousands of hydrogen fuel cell patents royalty-free, in a bid to encourage the industry.

Toyota's new sporty-looking hydrogen-powered 'Mirai' is the backdrop for the Japanese auto makers press event at the International CES in Las Vegas.

Bob Carter, who is Senior Vice President of automotive operations at Toyota, explains the mechanics of the vehicle.

"The Toyota Mirai is a mid-sized, four-door sedan - its front wheels are driven by electric motors. The electricity that powers the motors is made on-board, on-demand, as needed by simply combining hydrogen with oxygen, producing zero emissions, other than water vapour."

In the middle of his speech - a moment of drama as the power cut.

"I got you covered," assured Carter, as he connected a wire from the Mirai to re-boot the power in the briefing room and light up a mock-up home on stage.

"This Mirai is capable of supplying enough energy to power your home essentials as well as all of your consumer electronics in an average home for up to a week, in the event of an emergency," explains Carter.

But the high-profile event wasn't about announcing a new vehicle or component, but about giving something away.

In a bid to encourage the hydrogen auto industry to flourish, Carter announced that Toyota is set to invite royalty-free use of approximately 5,680 fuel cell related patents.

That includes critical technologies developed for the new 'Mirai' - which means "the future" in Japanese.

The list includes approximately 1,970 patents related to fuel cell stacks, 290 associated with high-pressure hydrogen tanks, 3,350 related to fuel cell systems' software control and 70 patents related to hydrogen production and supply.

By releasing these patents, Toyota are hoping to encourage the industry to flourish.

"It's obvious that there can be a higher societal value in openly sharing our IP," says Carter.

"By eliminating the traditional corporate boundaries, we can speed the metabolism of everyone's research and development and move into a future of mobility, quicker, more effectively and more economically."

The Toyota executive ended his speech with a quote from former President Abraham Lincoln.

"'The best way to predict the future, is to create it'. And that's what we're doing at Toyota."

Toyota unveiled the 'Mirai' - their first ever hydrogen-powered vehicle - at a press event in Tokyo in November.

The success of the vehicle and other hydrogen cars depends on an infrastructure growing to encourage drivers to buy them.

Other Asian automakers, Honda and Hyundai, are also experimenting with limited sales and leases of fuel cell cars.

Automotive tech is set to be a big talking point at this year's International CES event in Las Vegas.

A variety of self-driving cars and integrated dashboards will demonstrate how seriously the car industry considers putting smart tech into their vehicles.

A record 10 automotive manufacturers are set to exhibit at the event including Toyota, Ford, BMW, Audi and Mercedes.

Automotive exhibits will cover over 165,000 square feet of event space, 17 percent more than last year.

The International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) will run 6-9 January 2015.

The annual technology event is set to showcase over 3,500 exhibitors including big tech companies like Sony, Samsung and LG.

AP Television

Las Vegas, US - 5 January 2015

1. Various of hydrogen-powered Toyota 'Mirai' vehicle

2. SOUNDBITE: (English) Bob Carter, Senior Vice President, Toyota Motor Sales, Automotive Operations:

"'The future' is what the 'Mirai' means in Japanese, and it's arriving in October this year in the US. The Toyota Mirai is a mid-sized, four-door sedan - its front wheels are driven by electric motors. The electricity that powers the motors is made on-board, on-demand, as needed by simply combining hydrogen with oxygen, producing zero emissions, other than water vapour. Unlike other electric cars that rely on large batteries for power, this Mirai can be re-fuelled, as the doctor (Michio Kaku) said, in three to five minutes and travels up about 300 miles on a single fill-up. It will start up in the morning at minus 30 degrees Centigrade, below zero, and as many of you have already heard...(power cuts out) Wait just a moment, this happened in rehearsal - I got you covered (connects vehicle to power 'home' on stage). Now, as I was saying, as many of you already know - this Mirai is capable of supplying enough energy to power your home essentials as well as all of your consumer electronics in an average home for up to a week, in the event of an emergency."

3. SOUNDBITE: (English) Bob Carter, Senior Vice President, Toyota Motor Sales, Automotive Operations:

"Traditionally, intellectual properties are fiercely guarded, because they have great monetary value. But with programmes like the CSRC (Collaborative Safety Research Centre) Steve and our patent announcements today - it's obvious that there can be a higher societal value in openly sharing our IP. By eliminating the traditional corporate boundaries, we can speed the metabolism of everyone's research and development and move into a future of mobility, quicker, more effectively and more economically. Indeed, I believe that today marks a turning point in automotive history. I'm going to close with a quote that captures the idea from President Abraham Lincoln, who said: 'The best way to predict the future, is to create it'. And that's what we're doing at Toyota."

4. Close of screen reading: "Toyota. #ToyotaMirai"

5. Wide of Carter on stage, UPSOUND: (English) "Please accept my thanks for all of you coming and I hope you enjoy CES tomorrow. Good afternoon"; applause

LEADIN:

Toyota unveils a new hybrid-powered crossover coupe at the Paris Motor Show.

The bold styling is turning heads, with clear inspiration from the SUV sector but with the economy of Toyota's proven hybrid motor.

STORYLINE:

Pulling back the covers on the first new launch of the Paris Motor Show in France.

This is Toyota's latest hybrid-powered, the C-HR Concept.

It has been designed with the European markets in mind, and - if it goes into production - would sit in Toyota's range beneath its RAV4 SUV.

Didier Leroy, Toyota Europe's president and CEO sees the hybrid sector as one of the Japanese car sectors key areas of development, but is not ruling out other forms of alternative-fuel power.

"We do not believe there is only one ultimate technology because in the future the best way of powering a car will really depend on customer use," he says.

Globally, Toyota's hybrid production has now reached seven million units - led by its popular Prius model, with over three million sales worldwide.

Karl Schlicht, executive vice president of Toyota Europe says: "Hybrid equals Toyota and Toyota equals hybrid."

13,000 journalists will visit Mondiale de l'Automobile which runs until October 19 and features over 260 brands from 18 different countries.

Lamborghini, Ferrari and Jaguar are all expected to launch new models in Paris.

AP Television

Paris, France - October 2, 2014

1. Wide of Toyota C-HR concept being unveiled

2. SOUNDBITE: (English) Didier Leroy, president and CEO, Toyota Europe

"We do not believe there is only one ultimate technology because in the future the best way of powering a car will really depend on customer use."

3. Wide of Toyota C-HR concept on turnstile

4. Karl Schlicht, executive vice president, Toyota Europe

"Hybrid equals Toyota and Toyota equals hybrid."

5. Cutaway of journalist filming C-HR

6. Wide of Toyota C-HR concept on turnstile

SHOTLIST

1. Wide of a joint news conference by Toyota Motor Corp. and BMW management

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Klaus Draeger, Member of BMW AG, development board of management:

"In future, the BMW group, and Toyota Motor Corporation, will work together in what is designed to be a long term technological partnership. By carrying out basic research together, we want to speed up the development of battery cell technologies."

3. Wide of news conference

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Takeshi Uchiyamada, Executive Vice President and Representative Director of Toyota Motor Corp:

"And we at Toyota are exploring possibilities across a full range of technologies. The battery technology that we will develop with BMW will be the core technology for both reducing and replacing petroleum fuel."

5. Pan from media to photo session

6. Close of handshake

STORYLINE:

Auto giants Toyota and BMW said on Thursday they had agreed to collaborate on research for cleaner, next-generation batteries, underlining the growing push in the industry for green technology.

The agreement brings together Toyota Motor Corp., Japan's No. 1 carmaker and a leader in petrol-electric hybrids, and BMW AG of Germany, a European maker that has a strong luxury brand image in both Japan and Europe.

"In future, the BMW group, and Toyota Motor Corporation, will work together in what is designed to be a long term technological partnership," Klaus Draeger, Member of BMW AG, development board of management said.

The two automakers will also work on improving lithium-ion battery technology, typically used in batteries for electronic gadgets and relatively new to autos.

Toyota has struggled to find a good lithium-ion battery for its green cars and is using technology from Japanese electronics maker Sanyo Electric Co. in its latest plug-in hybrid, for which Toyota has recently started taking orders.

Toyota had worked with Panasonic Corp. on a battery before the electronics maker acquired Sanyo, partly to get better lithium-ion technology.

"And we at Toyota are exploring possibilities across a full range of technologies. The battery technology that we will develop with BMW will be the core technology for both reducing and replacing petroleum fuel," Toyota Executive Vice President Takeshi Uchiyamada told reporters at a Tokyo news conference.

Toyota and BMW have been engaged in extended discussions on technology and plan to collaborate on other medium-term and long-term projects, he said.

BMW will also begin supplying "clean" diesel engines to Toyota in 2014 for models for the European market.

Diesel engines for passenger cars are huge in Europe but have yet to take off in the U.S. or Japan, the two major markets where Toyota is strong.

Toyota does not have enough clean diesel engines for its European offerings.

Under their agreement, BMW is supplying 1.6 litre and 2.0 litre fuel-efficient diesel engines for Toyota.

They declined to give details on models.

The announcement was timed with the Tokyo Motor Show, which opens to the public on Saturday.

SHOTLIST

1. Toyota President Akio Toyoda (glasses, navy tie with diagonal stripe) meeting Japanese Transport Minister Seiji Maehara

2. Media cutaway

3. Toyoda and Maehara taking seats

4. Close of Maehara pan to Toyoda

5. Media

6. Toyoda approaching media for news conference

7. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Akio Toyoda, President of Toyota Motor Corporation:

"People think that we were slow to respond. We feel ashamed but now I am taking a lead and ask you to wait for just a little longer."

8. Mid of media

9. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Akio Toyoda, President of Toyota Motor Corporation:

"I am thinking of going to the US to give an explanation of myself to the involved parties."

10. Maehara walking to podium for his news conference

11. Media

12. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Seiji Maehara, Japanese Transport Minister:

"It is of course important that companies should call for a product recall with such problems, but because we must take care that it doesn''t turn into a diplomatic problem, various countries have to carefully consider their approach."

13. Wide of news conference

STORYLINE

Toyota said it was recalling about 437-thousand Prius and other hybrid vehicles worldwide to fix brake problems, the latest in a string of embarrassing safety lapses at the world''s largest automaker.

"We feel ashamed but now I am taking a lead and ask you to wait for just a little longer," President Akio Toyoda said at a news conference on Tuesday in Tokyo, after a meeting with Japanese Transport Minister Seiji Maehara.

With the Prius announcement, the number of vehicles recalled globally by Toyota Motor Corporation has ballooned to 8.5 (m) million, for the brake problems, and also for faulty acceleration pedals that are slow to return to the idle position, and for floor mats which can trap acceleration pedals.

The 2010 Prius wasn''t part of the earlier recalls.

There have been about 200 complaints in Japan and the US about a delay when the brakes in the Prius were pressed in cold conditions and on some bumpy roads.

The delay doesn''t indicate a brake failure.

The company says the problem can be fixed in 40 minutes with new software that oversees the controls of the antilock brakes.

Toyota officials went to Japan''s Transport Ministry earlier on Tuesday to formally notify officials that the company was recalling the 2010 Prius gas-electric hybrid - the world''s top-selling hybrid car.

Toyoda, the president, has been criticised for being largely invisible during the two weeks after the company announced on January 21 the acceleration pedal recall in the US, Europe and China.

He apologised at his first public press conference last Friday, and again on Tuesday, but was criticised by the Japanese media for failing to outline concrete steps to tackle the safety crisis and to reassure customers around the world.

He said he planned to go to the US soon to talk with American Toyota workers and dealers.

Analysts said fears of an even bigger consumer backlash had prodded Toyota into recalling the Prius.

The Japanese Transport Minister Seiji Maehara criticised Toyota for reacting too slowly, and said he was meeting US Ambassador to Japan, John Roos, on Wednesday to exchange views about Toyota''s recalls and make sure US-Japan relations remained on good terms.

"We must take care that it doesn''t turn into a diplomatic problem," Seiji Maehara told reporters after his meeting with Toyoda.

"Various countries have to carefully consider their approach," he said.

The automaker is also recalling two other hybrid models in Japan, the Lexus HS250h sedan, sold in the US and Japan, and the Sai, which is sold only in Japan.

The 223-thousand cars being recalled in Japan include nearly 200-thousand Priuses sold from April last year until Monday, according to papers the automaker filed with the ministry. The Prius is Japan''s top-selling car.

In the US, Toyota will recall 133-thousand Prius cars and 14,500 Lexus HS250h vehicles.

Nearly 53-thousand Priuses are also being recalled in Europe.

Toyota is suspending production of the Sai and Lexus HS250h in Japan until the updated software for those models is ready.

If drivers experience a delayed reaction when depressing the brakes in any of these models, they should keep pressing, according to Toyota and the transport ministry.

The Prius repairs will start in Japan on Wednesday.

US owners will start receiving letters about the recall next week.

US safety officials have launched an investigation into problems with the brakes.

Toyota''s plug-in hybrid is also being recalled in Japan, Europe and the US, but in small numbers because it is a largely experimental model for rental and government use.

The Prius holds a cherished spot in Toyota''s vehicle lineup and is symbolic of its leadership in the "green" car market.

Toyota was one of the first companies to mass-market a hybrid that combines an electric motor with a petrol engine, introducing the Prius in Japan in 1997.

Its high petrol mileage made it popular among environmentally conscious drivers, especially when petrol prices spiked two years ago.

But the complexity of the Prius, a highly computerised car, has led to problems in the past.

In 2005, the company repaired 75-thousand of them to fix software glitches that caused the engine to stall.

It has also had trouble with headlights going out.

Shares in Toyota rose 2.9 percent on Tuesday to 3,375 yen, but are still down about 20 percent since Jan. 21, when it announced the acceleration pedal recall.

FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: 4081168

LEAD IN:

Toyota has revamped its plug-in hybrid with a longer cruising range and quicker charging.

The new Prius PHV also comes with solar panels and can be charged by plugging into a regular home electricity socket.

STORY-LINE:

This is Toyota's new Prius plug-in hybrid (PHV) which goes on sale in Japan today (Wednesday 15 Feb 2017).

The auto maker is hoping it will sell better than the first model from five years ago that officials acknowledged had flopped.

Sales in the U.S., where it's called Prius Prime, started late last year. It is set to launch in Europe and other countries in March.

Chairman of the Board of Directors at Toyota Motor Corporation, Takeshi Uchiyamada calls the PHV the future of eco cars.

"This is the key and core of the eco car and this is the car which should become the mainstream of the eco car from now on. What comes after the hybrid car? That will be PHV (plug in hybrid). This is Toyota's answer."

A hybrid switches between a gas engine and an electric motor that is powered by that gas engine.

A plug-in hybrid can travel further as a pure electric vehicle, which is zero-emission, but needs recharging when its battery is spent.

The cruising range of the new plug-in as an electric vehicle is 68.2 kilometres (42.4 miles), about five times the earlier model's 26.4 kilometres (16.4 miles).

Deputy Chief Engineer of Toyota Motor Corporation, Shoichi Kaneko says the Prius PHV can also be charged using solar panels on the roof.

"Finally, we converted solar energy to driving energy. We have made the option of a solar energy charging system available which will become a first for the mass production car."

Toyota says the car can drive up to 6.1 kilometres per day on solar power generated power.

The car can be fully charged in two hours and 20 minutes, from a 200-volt outlet and in 14 hours at a 100-volt outlet. At a special charging machine, it reaches an 80 percent charge in just 20 minutes.

Toyota hopes to sell 2,500 PHV cars in Japan a month. It gave no overseas targets. It sold only 22,000 of the earlier PHVs.

The lacklustre sales contrast with Toyota's leadership in hybrid vehicles; it has sold 10 million globally since the first Prius went on sale in 1997.

Nearly half of the vehicles Toyota sells in Japan are hybrid models.

Tokyo – 15 February 2017

1. Close of the new Prius PHV being unveiled

2. Wide of Takeshi Uchiyamada, Chairman of the Board of directors, Toyota Motor Corporation, on the stage

3. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Takeshi Uchiyamada, Chairman of the Board of directors, Toyota Motor Corporation:

"This is the key and core of the eco car and this is the car which should become the mainstream of the eco car from now on. What comes after the hybrid car? That will be PHV (plug in hybrid). This is Toyota's answer."

4. Close of new Prius PHV

5. Wide of Shoichi Kaneko, Deputy Chief Engineer, Toyota Motor Corporation, on stage

6. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Shoichi Kaneko, Deputy Chief Engineer, Toyota Motor Corporation:

"Finally, we converted solar energy to driving energy. We have made the option of a solar energy charging system available which will become a first for the mass production car."

7. Various of solar panel on the roof part of Prius PHV

8. Close of PHV sign

9. Various of plug in part on the side of the car

10. Close of Prius PHV sign

11. Various of Toyota managers and Japanese actresss who will front the TV ad for the Prius PHV

LEAD IN:

Toyota has revamped its plug-in hybrid with a longer cruising range and quicker charging.

The new Prius PHV also comes with solar panels and can be charged by plugging into a regular home electricity socket.

STORY-LINE:

This is Toyota's new Prius plug-in hybrid (PHV) which goes on sale in Japan today (Wednesday 15 Feb 2017).

The auto maker is hoping it will sell better than the first model from five years ago that officials acknowledged had flopped.

Sales in the U.S., where it's called Prius Prime, started late last year. It is set to launch in Europe and other countries in March.

Chairman of the Board of Directors at Toyota Motor Corporation, Takeshi Uchiyamada calls the PHV the future of eco cars.

"This is the key and core of the eco car and this is the car which should become the mainstream of the eco car from now on. What comes after the hybrid car? That will be PHV (plug in hybrid). This is Toyota's answer."

A hybrid switches between a gas engine and an electric motor that is powered by that gas engine.

A plug-in hybrid can travel further as a pure electric vehicle, which is zero-emission, but needs recharging when its battery is spent.

The cruising range of the new plug-in as an electric vehicle is 68.2 kilometres (42.4 miles), about five times the earlier model's 26.4 kilometres (16.4 miles).

Deputy Chief Engineer of Toyota Motor Corporation, Shoichi Kaneko says the Prius PHV can also be charged using solar panels on the roof.

"Finally, we converted solar energy to driving energy. We have made the option of a solar energy charging system available which will become a first for the mass production car."

Toyota says the car can drive up to 6.1 kilometres per day on solar power generated power.

The car can be fully charged in two hours and 20 minutes, from a 200-volt outlet and in 14 hours at a 100-volt outlet. At a special charging machine, it reaches an 80 percent charge in just 20 minutes.

Toyota hopes to sell 2,500 PHV cars in Japan a month. It gave no overseas targets. It sold only 22,000 of the earlier PHVs.

The lacklustre sales contrast with Toyota's leadership in hybrid vehicles; it has sold 10 million globally since the first Prius went on sale in 1997.

Nearly half of the vehicles Toyota sells in Japan are hybrid models.

Tokyo – 15 February 2017

1. Close of the new Prius PHV being unveiled

2. Wide of Takeshi Uchiyamada, Chairman of the Board of directors, Toyota Motor Corporation, on the stage

3. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Takeshi Uchiyamada, Chairman of the Board of directors, Toyota Motor Corporation:

"This is the key and core of the eco car and this is the car which should become the mainstream of the eco car from now on. What comes after the hybrid car? That will be PHV (plug in hybrid). This is Toyota's answer."

4. Close of new Prius PHV

5. Wide of Shoichi Kaneko, Deputy Chief Engineer, Toyota Motor Corporation, on stage

6. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Shoichi Kaneko, Deputy Chief Engineer, Toyota Motor Corporation:

"Finally, we converted solar energy to driving energy. We have made the option of a solar energy charging system available which will become a first for the mass production car."

7. Various of solar panel on the roof part of Prius PHV

8. Close of PHV sign

9. Various of plug in part on the side of the car

10. Close of Prius PHV sign

11. Various of Toyota managers and Japanese actresss who will front the TV ad for the Prius PHV

LEAD IN:

Toyota has revamped its plug-in hybrid with a longer cruising range and quicker charging.

The new Prius PHV also comes with solar panels and can be charged by plugging into a regular home electricity socket.

STORY-LINE:

This is Toyota's new Prius plug-in hybrid (PHV) which goes on sale in Japan today (Wednesday 15 Feb 2017).

The auto maker is hoping it will sell better than the first model from five years ago that officials acknowledged had flopped.

Sales in the U.S., where it's called Prius Prime, started late last year. It is set to launch in Europe and other countries in March.

Chairman of the Board of Directors at Toyota Motor Corporation, Takeshi Uchiyamada calls the PHV the future of eco cars.

"This is the key and core of the eco car and this is the car which should become the mainstream of the eco car from now on. What comes after the hybrid car? That will be PHV (plug in hybrid). This is Toyota's answer."

A hybrid switches between a gas engine and an electric motor that is powered by that gas engine.

A plug-in hybrid can travel further as a pure electric vehicle, which is zero-emission, but needs recharging when its battery is spent.

The cruising range of the new plug-in as an electric vehicle is 68.2 kilometres (42.4 miles), about five times the earlier model's 26.4 kilometres (16.4 miles).

Deputy Chief Engineer of Toyota Motor Corporation, Shoichi Kaneko says the Prius PHV can also be charged using solar panels on the roof.

"Finally, we converted solar energy to driving energy. We have made the option of a solar energy charging system available which will become a first for the mass production car."

Toyota says the car can drive up to 6.1 kilometres per day on solar power generated power.

The car can be fully charged in two hours and 20 minutes, from a 200-volt outlet and in 14 hours at a 100-volt outlet. At a special charging machine, it reaches an 80 percent charge in just 20 minutes.

Toyota hopes to sell 2,500 PHV cars in Japan a month. It gave no overseas targets. It sold only 22,000 of the earlier PHVs.

The lacklustre sales contrast with Toyota's leadership in hybrid vehicles; it has sold 10 million globally since the first Prius went on sale in 1997.

Nearly half of the vehicles Toyota sells in Japan are hybrid models.

Tokyo – 15 February 2017

1. Close of the new Prius PHV being unveiled

2. Wide of Takeshi Uchiyamada, Chairman of the Board of directors, Toyota Motor Corporation, on the stage

3. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Takeshi Uchiyamada, Chairman of the Board of directors, Toyota Motor Corporation:

"This is the key and core of the eco car and this is the car which should become the mainstream of the eco car from now on. What comes after the hybrid car? That will be PHV (plug in hybrid). This is Toyota's answer."

4. Close of new Prius PHV

5. Wide of Shoichi Kaneko, Deputy Chief Engineer, Toyota Motor Corporation, on stage

6. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Shoichi Kaneko, Deputy Chief Engineer, Toyota Motor Corporation:

"Finally, we converted solar energy to driving energy. We have made the option of a solar energy charging system available which will become a first for the mass production car."

7. Various of solar panel on the roof part of Prius PHV

8. Close of PHV sign

9. Various of plug in part on the side of the car

10. Close of Prius PHV sign

11. Various of Toyota managers and Japanese actresss who will front the TV ad for the Prius PHV

LEAD IN

Toyota is the latest car manufacturer to unveil a concept vehicle at CES, designed for fully autonomous driving in a connected world.

The company is highlighting the importance of its new artificial intelligence system nicknamed 'Yui'.

STORY-LINE

Toyota's claiming this concept car puts the focus on the user.

According to the company the Concept-i has been created around the philosphy of 'kinetic warmth' - the theory that mobility technology should be fun as well as warm and welcoming.

Key to this type of technology is advanced artifical intelligence that can anticipate people's needs. The idea is that the AI system - nicknamed 'Yui' - allows the vehicle to build a more human relationship with the driver.

Toyota claim their design means the driver can also concentrate on the road more.

Concept-i, therefore, does not have a central console but instead has coloured lights in the footwells to tell you when the vehicle is being driven manually or automatically. Projectors in the rear deck are designed to alert the driver to blind spots.

Yui is also in the exterior door panels so that the AI system can greet people as they approach the vehicle.

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) runs 5-8 January 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. More than 3,800 exhibitors are expected to show their products to over 150,000 visitors.

Las Vegas, 4 January 2017

1. Various of the unveiling of Toyota's Concept-i

UPSOUND: (English) Bob Carter, Vice President Toyota Motor Sales

"Now Yui learns from us, grows with us, builds a relationship that is meaningful and emotional...."

2. Car unveiled by Yui, followed by on stage presentation by Bob Carter, Vice President Toyota Motor Sales.

3. SOUNDBITE: (English) Bob Carter, Vice President Toyota Motor Sales

"It's a design philosophy that's guided every element of the Concept-i's creation, beginning with artificial intelligence. Now it follows our belief that the vehicle of the future should not start with just technology. It should start with the experience of the people who use it. So we built the Concept-i from the inside out, focussing on making it immersive, warm and energetic. With a user experience assistance from the Toyota innovation hub in San Francisco the interior is designed to help support that user experience. Now you'll notice lines flow from the centre of the dashboard throughout the vehicle and Yui can travel around them using light, sound and even touch to communicate critical information. There's an amazing 3D heads up display to help keep the driver's eyes, and most importantly their attention, to the road, but information also appears like magic on the dashboard on the walls on the seats wherever you need it whenever you need it. Even the exterior of the vehical is about building a relationship between the car and the world around it, communicating with others on the road while expressing motion and excitement and even a little bit of magic but this is not just a design story. Now for years we at Toyota said we at Toyota said we need to look beyond simple driver vehicle interface and focus on the driver vehicle relationship. Now thanks to Yui the Concept-i is built to enhance that relationship. This is a vehical that grows with you. The more you drive the smarter Yui gets. It learns to anticipate your needs and that intelligence, it's more than about planning your next route. Yui uses sophisticated biometric systems to monitor the driver's intention and emotions."

4 . Toyota's Concept-i on stage

5 . SOUNDBITE: (Englsih) Professor Gill Pratt, Toyota Research Institute

"Toyota is involved in many aspects of making future cars safer and more accessible. Yui and Concept-i is a small part of that work, but it has the potential for becoming more than a helpful friend. It has the potential for becoming the kind of friend that looks out for you and keeps you safe. It has the potential to become a guardian as well as a chauffeur."

6 . Close zoom into Concept-i rotating on stage

LEAD IN

Toyota is the latest car manufacturer to unveil a concept vehicle at CES, designed for fully autonomous driving in a connected world.

The company is highlighting the importance of its new artificial intelligence system nicknamed 'Yui'.

STORY-LINE

Toyota's claiming this concept car puts the focus on the user.

According to the company the Concept-i has been created around the philosphy of 'kinetic warmth' - the theory that mobility technology should be fun as well as warm and welcoming.

Key to this type of technology is advanced artifical intelligence that can anticipate people's needs. The idea is that the AI system - nicknamed 'Yui' - allows the vehicle to build a more human relationship with the driver.

Toyota claim their design means the driver can also concentrate on the road more.

Concept-i, therefore, does not have a central console but instead has coloured lights in the footwells to tell you when the vehicle is being driven manually or automatically. Projectors in the rear deck are designed to alert the driver to blind spots.

Yui is also in the exterior door panels so that the AI system can greet people as they approach the vehicle.

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) runs 5-8 January 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. More than 3,800 exhibitors are expected to show their products to over 150,000 visitors.

Las Vegas, 4 January 2017

1. Various of the unveiling of Toyota's Concept-i

UPSOUND: (English) Bob Carter, Vice President Toyota Motor Sales

"Now Yui learns from us, grows with us, builds a relationship that is meaningful and emotional...."

2. Car unveiled by Yui, followed by on stage presentation by Bob Carter, Vice President Toyota Motor Sales.

3. SOUNDBITE: (English) Bob Carter, Vice President Toyota Motor Sales

"It's a design philosophy that's guided every element of the Concept-i's creation, beginning with artificial intelligence. Now it follows our belief that the vehicle of the future should not start with just technology. It should start with the experience of the people who use it. So we built the Concept-i from the inside out, focussing on making it immersive, warm and energetic. With a user experience assistance from the Toyota innovation hub in San Francisco the interior is designed to help support that user experience. Now you'll notice lines flow from the centre of the dashboard throughout the vehicle and Yui can travel around them using light, sound and even touch to communicate critical information. There's an amazing 3D heads up display to help keep the driver's eyes, and most importantly their attention, to the road, but information also appears like magic on the dashboard on the walls on the seats wherever you need it whenever you need it. Even the exterior of the vehical is about building a relationship between the car and the world around it, communicating with others on the road while expressing motion and excitement and even a little bit of magic but this is not just a design story. Now for years we at Toyota said we at Toyota said we need to look beyond simple driver vehicle interface and focus on the driver vehicle relationship. Now thanks to Yui the Concept-i is built to enhance that relationship. This is a vehical that grows with you. The more you drive the smarter Yui gets. It learns to anticipate your needs and that intelligence, it's more than about planning your next route. Yui uses sophisticated biometric systems to monitor the driver's intention and emotions."

4 . Toyota's Concept-i on stage

5 . SOUNDBITE: (Englsih) Professor Gill Pratt, Toyota Research Institute

"Toyota is involved in many aspects of making future cars safer and more accessible. Yui and Concept-i is a small part of that work, but it has the potential for becoming more than a helpful friend. It has the potential for becoming the kind of friend that looks out for you and keeps you safe. It has the potential to become a guardian as well as a chauffeur."

6 . Close zoom into Concept-i rotating on stage

Toyota will invest one (b) billion US dollars in a research company to develop artificial intelligence and robotics, underlining the Japanese automaker's determination to lead in futuristic cars that drive themselves and apply the technology to other areas of daily life.

Akio Toyoda, President of Toyota Motor Corporation, said in Tokyo on Friday that the company would start operating from January 2016, with 200 employees at a Silicon Valley facility near Stanford University in the United States.

A second facility will be established near Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, also in the US.

The investment, which will be spread over five years, comes on top of the 50 (m) million US dollars Toyota announced earlier for artificial intelligence research at Stanford and MIT.

High-profile robotics expert, Gill Pratt, will head the new organisation which will be called Toyota Research Institute Inc.

Pratt was formerly a programme manager at the US military's Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency.

He joined Toyota as a technical adviser when it set up its artificial intelligence research effort at Stanford and MIT.

Pratt said the company's goals were to support older people in their homes with robotics, make cars free of accidents and use artificial intelligence to allow all people to drive, regardless of ability.

Toyota will invest one (b) billion US dollars in a research company to develop artificial intelligence and robotics, underlining the Japanese automaker's determination to lead in futuristic cars that drive themselves and apply the technology to other areas of daily life.

Akio Toyoda, President of Toyota Motor Corporation, said in Tokyo on Friday that the company would start operating from January 2016, with 200 employees at a Silicon Valley facility near Stanford University in the United States.

A second facility will be established near Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Cambridge, also in the US.

The investment, which will be spread over five years, comes on top of the 50 (m) million US dollars Toyota announced earlier for artificial intelligence research at Stanford and MIT.

High-profile robotics expert, Gill Pratt, will head the new organisation which will be called Toyota Research Institute Inc.

Pratt was formerly a programme manager at the US military's Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency.

He joined Toyota as a technical adviser when it set up its artificial intelligence research effort at Stanford and MIT.

Pratt said the company's goals were to support older people in their homes with robotics, make cars free of accidents and use artificial intelligence to allow all people to drive, regardless of ability.

AP TELEVISION

Tokyo - 6 November 2015

1. President of Toyota Motor Corporation, Akio Toyoda, and Executive Technical Advisor, Gill Pratt, walking towards podium

2. SOUNDBITE (Japanese) Akio Toyoda, Toyota Motor Corporation President:

"I believe artificial intelligence technology has the potential to change our future lives and society dramatically. I am working with this technology focused on cars at the moment, but in the future I believe it will become the core of various industries. I believe it has big potential to go further than cars and to create a new industry."

3. Cutaway of journalists

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Gill Pratt, Toyota Executive Technical Advisor:

"Because the problem (referring to rapid aging of population) is more difficult here, I believe that companies in Japan understand this problem very significantly and very well. And so I think that to address this problem, as well as other problems in society - of course, Japan is a wonderful society where there is tremendous bonding between people, the idea we are all responsible for each other and for social good - I thought working with Toyota is actually the best choice."

5. Various of Toyoda and Pratt shaking hands

6. Wide of news conference

SHOTLIST:

635733

Toyota gets 77 complaints in Japan about brake problems with Prius hybrid

AP TELEVISION

FILE: October 2009

1. Various of Toyota Prius hybrid on display at the Tokyo Motor Show

635736

Prius brake problems

AP TELEVISION

Tokyo - February 04 2010

2. Various exteriors of Toyota Tokyo headquarters

636509

World Toyota

Toyota seeks damage control

AP TELEVISION

Tokyo, Japan - 10 February 2010

3. Various of engineers working on the car

4. Prius being driven out of dealership

STORYLINE:

In February 2010 Toyota dealers across the globe were preparing for the fallout from the company's latest recall of about 440-thousand Prius and other hybrid vehicles worldwide.

The recall is to fix a problem with brakes, which some drivers have reported as being momentarily unresponsive in certain driving conditions.

The announcement is the latest in a series of safety faults.

Toyota began its recall of 223-thousand cars in Japan with a trickle of owners turning up at dealerships for the requisite repairs.

The Prius is Japan's top-selling car and the world's top-selling hybrid car.

The automaker is also recalling two other hybrid models in Japan, the Lexus HS250h sedan and the Sai.

In Australia, Toyota announced it was recalling 2378 Prius cars that have been sold in the country since July 2009.

Owners of models built between April 2009 and January this year will be contacted by post to arrange no-cost repairs - which Toyota says will take one hour.

Spokesman Glenn Campbell said the Toyota Australia had acted "as quickly and as soon as we need to act", after receiving the recall notice from the company .

Toyota is running apologetic TV ads and vowing to win back customers' trust as part of an all-out drive by the world's biggest auto manufacturer to redeem its once unassailable brand.

The company was hit anew as its global recall ballooned to 8.5 (m) million cars and trucks.

In the United States, Toyota is facing congressional inquiries and government investigations, and the company is trying to salvage its reputation with the help of its lawyers and lobbyists.

There have been about 200 complaints in Japan and the US about a delay when the brakes in the Prius were pressed in cold conditions and on some bumpy roads.

The delay doesn't indicate a brake failure.

"It's kind of scary if you didn't ever experience it before, so my first time experiencing it did scare me," said one Toyota owner in New Jersey who had experienced the fault.

The company says the problem can be fixed in 40 minutes with new software that oversees the controls of the antilock brakes.

Toyota will recall 133-thousand Prius cars and 14-thousand Lexus HS250h vehicles in the US.

US owners will start receiving letters about the recall next week.

Nearly 53-thousand Prius vehicles are also being recalled in Europe.

Other car faults include floor mats, which can trap gas pedals and faulty gas pedals that are slow to return to the idle position.