BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – PROSPECTIVE owners of the 2014 Toyota YARIS got a close-up and personal look as well as feel of the vehicle over the weekend at a specially-held event hosted by the Federation’s Toyota dealer, TDC Group of Companies Ltd.
The Open House event was held on Saturday (Nov. 16) morning at TDC’s Automotive Division at the C. A. Paul Southwell Industrial Park.
The three-pronged event provided an opportunity for customers to test-drive the 2014 Toyota YARIS while offering a 20 percent discount on most of the spare parts and accessories offered by the Department.
Assistant Manager of the Department St. Clair Hodge – while speaking with SKNVibes during the event – explained that in addition to its sleek exterior and comfortable interior, the 2014 Toyota YARIS is fitted with a number of updates specifications and new technologies designed to benefit the pockets of owners.
“It is a 1300cc engine. It is a very small and efficient engine. However, it does not lack power because it is now equipped with the VVTI which is simply the Variable Valve Timing Intelligence. What it does is regulate your fuel and air mixtures so that you can get maximum fuel economy not only at high speeds, but also at midrange, low speeds or any speed possible.
“Also what contributes to the fuel efficiency of this car is its design. A lot of people look at the car and conclude that they just look good. But the Toyotas look good for a reason. They look good because they also have defined lines and fins that contribute to stability and the aerodynamics of the vehicle. The smaller the drag coefficient of any vehicle, the less energy is uses to push it forward, the more energy you save.”
Hodge said one of the YARIS’ biggest selling points is that the vehicle must reach the hands of prospective owners in order for the true economic benefit to be experienced. He said compared with other with other vehicles, the 2014 Toyota YARIS costs less to maintain.
“One of the biggest selling points will be when you own it. The cost of maintenance is very low. The battery is very small and inexpensive compared to others. The engine is very easy to work around; it is very, very economical to own!”
He said the YARIS is a vehicle “that we want everybody who can get one to get their hands on”.
And the interest in the newly-released vehicle – according to Hodge – is very encouraging because while some got the opportunity to test drive one of the vehicles, others took the opportunity to schedule their test drives for later dates.
There are two models currently available, the standard grade 2014 Toyota YARIS at a cost of $85 000 VAT-inclusive and the midgrade which has an $88 000 VAT-inclusive price tag.
Also, as part of the event, TDC customers who would have previously signed up for the Group’s Mega Rewards programme were able to collect their cards.
