Latest news with #GrandHighlander
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Toyota delays US electric vehicle production
Toyota has announced a delay in its electric vehicle (EV) production plans in the US, opting to prioritise manufacturing capacity for the in-demand Grand Highlander SUV. The Japanese automaker will now begin producing a new electric SUV in Georgetown, Kentucky, in 2028, a shift from the original plan to start in 2027 at its Princeton, Indiana, facility. The strategic move will enable Toyota to increase the production of the Grand Highlander, available as a petrol-only or hybrid petrol-electric model. The delay in EV production also aligns with a potential decrease in US EV demand following the Senate's legislation to end tax credits for electric vehicle purchases. Despite the overall rise in EV sales in the US, Toyota's all-electric sales lagged in 2024, with fewer than 30,000 units sold, contrasting with the surge in hybrid petrol-electric sales. The Grand Highlander has proven especially popular, with Toyota selling over 11,500 units in the last month and dealers maintaining only a three-day supply. David Christ, the head of Toyota brand sales in the US, emphasised the success of the Grand Highlander, calling it the "fastest-turning product in the lineup,' as reported by Bloomberg. The company remains committed to its electric future, with plans to offer seven EVs in the US market by mid-2027, including two SUVs to be produced at the Georgetown plant. Last month, Toyota Motor suggested it is willing to sell US-made vehicles in Japan through its domestic dealer networks to help the Japanese government in its trade negotiations with the US government. "Toyota delays US electric vehicle production" was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Business Times
02-07-2025
- Automotive
- Business Times
Toyota delays EV plans to boost petrol-fuelled SUV output
[DETROIT] Toyota Motor is tapping the brakes on plans to build electric vehicles (EVs) in the US to free up manufacturing capacity for a popular petrol-powered SUV. The Japanese automaker plans to begin producing a new electric SUV at its plant in Georgetown, Kentucky, starting in 2028, more than a year later than planned, according to the company. The unnamed plug-in model was slated to be produced at Toyota's plant in Princeton, Indiana, but instead will be built in Kentucky. The move will allow the company to boost the output of its hot-selling Grand Highlander SUV, which is offered as a petrol-only or hybrid petrol-electric model. The new battery-powered model will join another as-yet unnamed three-row electric SUV that Toyota now plans to begin producing at the Georgetown plant in late 2026, rather than early next year, a company spokesperson said. The EV production shift from the Princeton plant to Kentucky was reported earlier by Automotive News. The latest delays comes as demand for EVs has softened in the US and may weaken further after the Senate passed legislation that would end popular tax credits that have helped buyers afford those vehicles. Toyota said as recently as May that it plans to offer seven EVs for sale in the US by mid-2027, including the pair of US-made SUVs. Total EV sales rose 7.3 per cent in the US last year to some 1.3 million vehicles, according to Cox Automotive. But Toyota delivered fewer than 30,000 all-electric in the US in 2024, even as its sales of hybrid petrol-electrics skyrocketed. At the same time, hybrid-electric and petrol-powered SUVs are in high demand. Toyota sold 11,577 Grand Highlander mid-sized SUVs last month, ending June with just a three-day supply of them at its dealers. 'That vehicle has actually been our fastest-turning product in the lineup,' David Christ, the head of Toyota brand sales in the US, told reporters on Tuesday (Jul 1) in a briefing. BLOOMBERG
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Toyota shifts gears: Moves 3-row EV to Ky., boosts Grand Highlander production
In a dramatic shift, Toyota will consolidate U.S. electric vehicle production into its massive assembly complex in Georgetown, Ky., and boost production of its popular Grand Highlander crossover in Indiana, Automotive News has learned. The changes were communicated to Toyota production workers at assembly plants in Princeton, Ind., and Georgetown late last week, and to suppliers June 23. Toyota had planned to build a new three-row EV crossover in Indiana as well as a second three-row EV in Georgetown, alongside a Subaru sibling vehicle. Less than a year ago, the Japanese automaker announced a $1.4 billion investment into its assembly plant in Indiana to make way for what was expected to be an EV replacement for the internal combustion engine Highlander. The batteries for all were to come from Toyota's new $13.9 billion battery complex under construction in North Carolina. Future Product Find our what powertrains, redesigns and freshenings are planned for the next four years. View the list Brand future product timelines The change in plans is another sign of just how quickly the EV landscape has shifted in the U.S., but it also allows the Japanese automaker to expand production of its new three-row combustion-powered Grand Highlander. Sign up for our daily First Shift morning newscast email for a quick video to start your day. Toyota sent a statement to Automotive News confirming the changes. 'To improve manufacturing efficiencies and better serve customers based on market demand, Toyota is strategically transitioning production across its plants in Kentucky and Indiana. As previously announced, Toyota plans to produce two all-new, three-row battery electric SUVs in the U.S. Toyota will now assemble both vehicles at Toyota Kentucky. Toyota Indiana will continue to assemble the Grand Highlander in its west plant and add assembly of the vehicle to its east plant to accommodate increased production volume. We remain committed to providing long-term job stability for our team members.' Since returning to dealerships late last year after a monthslong stop-sale because of a side airbag issue, the Grand Highlander has consistently outsold the smaller and less costly Highlander crossover. Through the first five months of the year, Grand Highlander sales were up 10 percent to 53,842, while Highlander sales have fallen 51 percent to 24,985. Full details of the planned EVs that will be built in Georgetown were not available, though they are expected to go on sale late next year. Have an opinion about this story? Tell us about it and we may publish it in print. Click here to submit a letter to the editor.
Miami Herald
03-06-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
2025 Toyota Grand Highlander: Is It Worth $40,860? My In-Depth Guide to Its Upsides & Downsides
I have to admit that I was a bit skeptical when the Toyota Grand Highlander debuted a couple of years ago. In my mind, I thought that the regular Highlander was enough for the masses and their love for all things SUV. After all, the reliable people hauler has grown over the years and now comes in both regular and hybrid flavors, so what more could people want? Apparently, they want just a little more. Typical Americans. But after spending a few days in the 2025 Grand Highlander Hybrid, I came away impressed with everything it had to offer. Yes, that includes the added space that the "grand" in the moniker entails. For the record, the Grand Highlander is 6.5 inches longer, 2.3 inches wider, and two inches taller than its non-grand stablemate. That makes it 201.4 inches long compared to the standard Highlander's 194.9 inches, so you'd better measure your garage space before signing the dotted line for one of these things. Since the Grand Highlander I drove was a hybrid model, it had plenty of low-end power with its electric assist while churning out some surprising fuel efficiency numbers. Needless to say, by the end of my time spent with the three-row SUV, I was pretty much sold. It's too bad I don't have a family to cart around, or much of a need for a large SUV, in general. However, despite everything I liked about the SUV, I noticed there were a couple of cons. As such, here are three pros and two cons I found during my few days with the Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid. Toyota has stepped up its game in the past five years by giving its vehicles more appealing and comfortable cabins, and the Grand Highlander is no exception. Keeping with the "grand" theme, the plus-sized Highlander boasts 149 cubic feet of passenger volume, which is 8 cubic feet larger than the regular version. It's also 8 cubic feet larger than the Mazda CX-90's interior, which is its closest competitor. My tester for the week also came equipped with second-row captain's chairs, which cut down the seating capacity to seven from eight. If you don't need eight spots, then this configuration works well as the two lucky passengers in the second row will be treated to plenty of space, their own climate controls, heated seats, and a couple of cupholders. The third row is large enough for tall passengers as well, but the middle seat is better reserved for short ones or children. In addition to a host of driver-assist features, the Grand Highlander Hybrid has all the in-cabin tech features that drivers want. This includes a large 12.3-inch infotainment screen with an intuitive interface, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and a premium JBL sound system featuring 11 speakers. There are also plenty of comfort features to keep everyone happy, including a heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, and rear window sunshades to keep the sun from intruding into the cabin. Lastly, a 12.3-inch digital dash display sits in front of the driver to keep them informed of the car's vitals, and there are seven USB-C ports around the cabin to keep everyone's phones charged up. The Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid's two main competitors include the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid and the Mazda CX-90 plug-in hybrid. The Santa Fe Hybrid offers slightly better gas mileage (36 mpg combined) and a lower starting price point, but the Highlander Hybrid offers a little more in its standard form, which could justify its higher $40,860 starting price. The Mazda, on the other hand, has a starting price of $49,945 and does not offer the same type of fuel economy as the Toyota. However, it does have an all-electric driving range of 26 miles, which could be useful for some commutes. Regardless, the Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid is priced well in the weird three-row hybrid SUV segment and provides a middle-of-the-road choice for buyers looking for a balanced and well-priced family hauler. There are two different engine choices for the Grand Highlander Hybrid: a base 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and a HybridMax turbocharged 2.4-liter engine. Both engines are connected to a pair of electric motors, but the former produces 245 horsepower while the upgraded version produces 362. Don't get me wrong, the base engine does a great job at pulling the SUV around town just fine, but it's a little sluggish when accelerating and can feel a little slow during passing maneuvers. In that case, I would recommend the up-level engine if power is more important than gas mileage, as the larger engine will dip fuel economy into the high 20-mpg range. Although Toyota has stepped up its game when it comes to the interiors of its vehicles, the Grand Highlander doesn't feel as premium as its competition. I liked the soft faux leather and soft-touch materials on the dash and door panels, but the Mazda CX-90 and Hyundai Santa Fe's interiors are a little nicer and most lavishly laid out. Ultimately, the 2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid is an excellent choice in the three-row SUV segment. After spending time with it, I came away thoroughly impressed with its fuel economy, interior space, and well-mannered driving dynamics. It might not be the cheapest or most-premium-feeling kid on the block, but if you need a large SUV to tote around your family and their stuff in a fuel-efficient manner, the Grand Highlander Hybrid is worth checking out. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Edmunds
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- Edmunds
2026 Toyota RAV4 Revealed: America's Best-Selling Car Goes Hybrid-Only
Major interior upgrades The RAV4's instrument cluster is now fully digital and now measures 12.3 inches. It also uses a completely new design — nothing like what you've maybe seen in the Camry, Prius or Grand Highlander. It can display a vast array of usable information and is where you monitor things like the safety warnings and adjust the adaptive cruise control. The other big change is the center display, which is better integrated into the design of the dashboard. A 10.5-inch infotainment screen is standard, but higher trims get a larger 12.9-inch display. There's a brand-new multimedia system built in, with multiple pages that can show a wide array of car info. There are also dedicated buttons for key features and a home icon to take you back to the main screen whenever you need to. There's one small issue, though: The vast majority of the climate controls have been moved into the screen. The last RAV4 had knobs and buttons, but the new car only has buttons for the temperature and the defrosters. The rest of the climate controls — fan speed, A/C, heated seats, heated wheel and more — have all been moved into a dedicated climate control display in the center screen.
