Toyota News Roundup: Week of October 24, 2021

It’s another week in the world of Toyota news, and Toyota of Orlando is here with all the updates you need to stay current in our corner of the world. From a new US-based electric car battery plant to a die-hard Supra driver, we’ve got all the latest and greatest news – check it out.

Man bodily protects his Supra from a hailstorm 

We all know that some people love their cars. Like, really love them – name them, treat them like children, would do anything. But we saw a whole new level of devotion on TikTok this weekend. A man in Sydney, Australia was featured actually COVERING HIS SUPRA with his body to protect it from hail. Apparently, he had cardboard and blankets to mostly cover the car and fend off the elements, but the hood was left unprotected so he himself acted as a human shield to try and prevent hail damage. All we can say is ouch.

Toyota testing hydrogen combustion engines in race cars 

Toyota recently announced that they’re testing hydrogen combustion technology in the engines of their race cars in an effort to hopefully start utilizing this clean tech in their commercial cars (aka what you drive every day). It wouldn’t happen anytime soon, of course – the technology is still in its infancy and would need to be tested and studied thoroughly before making it a mainstream option. Additionally, the infrastructure for this type of vehicle (fueling stations, repair shops, etc.) isn’t in place and would take time to develop. Regardless, it’s nice to know that another alternative fuel vehicle may be available in the future.

Electric car battery plants coming to US 

Toyota is bringing more business to the US! Over the next decade, the automaker will invest a cool $1.3 billion to build an electric car battery plant right here in the U.S. It’s expected to begin production in 2025. Additionally, another $3.4 billion will be spent on employee training and equipment to ensure the plant is up and running. We don’t know exactly where the plants will be built,

Is a new special edition Tundra model coming? 

Rumor has it that not only is the 2022 Toyota Tundra completely redesigned, but it’s also bringing a new special edition to the table. Most other truck makes (like Ford, RAM, and GMC) have a top-of-the-line luxury model in their truck lineup that pulls out all the stops. It’s been speculated that Toyota WILL offer a luxury model at some point in the game called the “Capstone” model. Toyota hasn’t confirmed anything, but here’s to hoping!

Toyota switching to hybrids and electric cars only in Brazil 

We all know that the push for cleaner energy is on, and Toyota is jumping aboard by upping their research and production of alternative fuel vehicles. They’re taking it one step further in Brazil, though – in the next six years, the automaker till ONLY sell hybrid and electric vehicles in that country.

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