Date Posted: December 27,2006

Toyota Unveils 8-Series Lift Truck:

Raises Bar with Environmentally Friendly Lift Truck

Several members of the Equipment World Sales Team had theopportunity to see the new Toyota 8-Series Lift Trucks, Fall 2006 at aSales Training Session in Columbus, Indiana.  The folks at Toyota talked about improved visibility, reduced emissions, superior safety features, better ergonomics and operator comfort, increased durability (less plastic and sheet metal) and ease of maintenance. Without question, the new model raises the bar in its class.  The visibility differences are significant, including are positioned lower mast cross member, the gauges have been moved to the dash, as well as dramatic differences in foot and leg room. Many people have commented on how surprising a smaller steering wheel (a few inches less in diameter) is easier to operate . Another unique feature is the comfortable swivel seat in the front, which will ease torso strain when driving in reverse.  The general consensus is the NEW 8-Series Lift Truck is a well-engineered machine. 

The 8-Series models will start shipping out of the company'sfactory in Columbus, Ind. on January 2, 2007.

"IRVINE, Calif. (November 16, 2006) Toyota Material Handling,U.S.A., Inc. (TMHU) today unveiled its highly anticipated line of8-Series lift trucks, which includes 3,000-6,500 lb, internalcombustion cushion and pneumatic tire models.

The 8-Series lift truck is the worlds cleanest internal combustion lift truck available far exceeding 2007 federal EPA emission standards. It also offers significant advancements indurability, ergonomics and overall cost of operation. All 8-Serieslift trucks sold in North America are produced at the companys manufacturing facility in Columbus, Ind., Toyota Industrial Equipment Manufacturing (TIEM). We have a long and distinguished history of providing the most innovative and durable lift trucks on the market and the 8-Series is no exception, said Shankar Basu, resident and CEO of TMHU. In the 8-Series, we have delivered anenvironmentally friendly lift truck that not only reduces operation costs and enhances operator safety, it also meets Californias 2010 emission standards three years early.(1) A New Standard in Emissions Reduction Toyota's 4Y engine, known for its quality, durability and reliability, features an exclusive closed-loop fuel system design that automatically adjusts and optimizes the air-fuel mixture ratio. This system works in conjunction with a three-way catalytic muffler, together minimizing emissions such as hydrocarbons (HC), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), and carbon monoxide(CO). As a result, all Toyota 8-Series gasoline, LPG and CNG configured models will produce 70% less smog-forming emissions than the 2007 federal EPA standards. This emission system also meets the more stringent 2010 California Air Resource Board (CARB) emission standards, which is welcome news to California end users seeking ways to meet CARBs end user fleet averaging measures, recently adopted this past May 2006.

A Benchmark for Durability The 8-Series upholds Toyotas historic levels of durability and then some. 

Equipment World is Northern Ontario's EXCLUSIVE Toyota Industrial Dealer.

Article referenced from: http://www.toyotaforklift.com/about_us/news/press_releases/0109.aspx