TOKYO —

Toyota Motor Corp on Monday unveiled its redesigned Alphard and renamed Vellfire minivans for the Japanese market. The company expects the new models to expand the range of consumers for minivans, targeting different segments of the market.

Toyota President Katsuaki Watanabe said, “Minivans occupy about 25% of the domestic car market, which is an important area for us. We expect this market to be stable well into the future. In an aging society, whether we can offer what is necessary for different segments in the market is crucial. Since young people in Japan are moving away from cars now, we have to stop such a decline.”

Asked why the new models do not feature the company’s hybrid system, Watanabe answered: “We believe we need a hybrid-system for minivans in the future. But we didn’t adopt the system for these new models in relation to other models.”

The 2WD Alphard and Vellfire feature an Executive Power Seat for better comfortability as flagship minivans. Toyota says the new Alphard targets consumers in their 40s and Vellfire is aimed at the over-30s.

The price range will be 3 to 4.5 million yen for each model. Alphard is available at Toyota’s Toyopet and Vellfire at Netz car shops nationwide. Toyota expects 3,000 unit sales a month in each model. 

5 Comments

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  sk4ek at 09:19 PM JST - 12th May

  This is at least the third article on JT I've seen using the nonsensical word "comfortability."

  "Comfort" should be sufficient in almost any case I can think of. "Comfortable" may be grammatically appropriate in the rest.

  Cummon JT, let's bring some improved perfectionability to our editing... :)

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  franz75 at 12:44 AM JST - 13th May

  This is just a monster with wheels. No personnality at all... I'll play snobish and stick with my Audi...

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  Hawkeye at 05:35 AM JST - 13th May

  Looks like the Scion logo on the grill

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  Hawkeye at 05:39 AM JST - 13th May

  Just saw the interior shots and the captains chairs have full leg supports so you can lay down like in a bed, great for long trips.

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  westurn at 04:11 PM JST - 13th May

  "Asked why the new models do not feature the company’s hybrid system, Watanabe answered: “We believe we need a hybrid-system for minivans in the future. But we didn’t adopt the system for these new models in relation to other models.”

  This product is doomed ! Minivans are no better or worse than SUV's in terms of fuel costs. Major blunder by the folks at Toyota, what were they thinking !

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