For all the car geeks, gearheads and car enthusiasts, the month of May began on a high note with the launch of the new Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 2018 model. Playfully dubbed ‘the Beast of SUV’, the new land cruiser model still maintains the toughness embodied by its predecessor (versatile in terms of the different terrain it can cover) while pursuing a more luxurious look with enhanced interior and exterior features. The Toyota Prado includes off-road module switches, an inclination angle monitor that senses and adjusts the angle of the car in rough terrain, rear combination lamps, and low horizontal design for a stable look.
Here is a more detailed look at the features as laid out by Cars Guide :
The 2018 Toyota Prado LandCruiser comes in four models; the GX, GXL, VX, and the Kakadu which is at the highest end of the value chain.
- GX
The GX is the basic model of the 2018 Toyota Prado Land Cruiser model, it comes with systems that warn you pre-collision and or when you depart your lane. It has auto high-beam lights, 17-inch alloy wheels and automatic cruise control (only available on the automatic models). The GX has a smart key feature, push-button start, a reversing camera and GPS navigation system on an eight-inch touchscreen media system. The navigation system comes with live updates on traffic. However, the features don’t stop there, the GX allows audio and Bluetooth phone streaming with a CD player and radio for all your music needs.
- GXL
The GXL comes as a seven-seater with major additional features to the GX model including LED headlights, fog lamps and daytime running lights in addition to lamps in the sun visors. The model comes with a leather-lined steering wheel, tri-zone climate control, a rear differential lock, privacy glass, roof rails and side steps. At an extra cost ($10,500), one can get their seat trims highlighted with leather, ventilated front seats with power adjustment, heated front, and second-row seats.
- VX
Next up the Toyota Prado 2018 value chain is the VX which is only accessible as an automatic, its additional features include 18-inch alloy wheels, panoramic view camera monitor with low speed forward view setting, LED fog lamps, leather seats with the front ventilated front seats and a 14 speakers JBL sound system.
- Kakadu
The Kakadu is most advanced in the 2018 Toyota Prado models; it comes with a range of safety features including the Toyota Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS) that reacts to the different forces sensed by the suspension and in turn moderates the anti-roll bars; which prevent the body roll of vehicles on corners and road irregularities. It also includes crawl control to monitor wheel slippage and improve traction, multi-terrain select setting across rock, rock and dirt, mogul, loose rock, mud and sandy terrains.
The Kakadu has a drive mode select system that adjusts air conditioning with eco, comfort, sport, sport+ settings, in addition to adjusting the chassis and drivetrain. It also includes a backseat entertainment system with a Blue-ray screen, a sunroof, woodgrain trim, and power folding third-row seats.
The car’s launch at the Muthiaga Golf Club was graced by Cabinet Secretary Industry Trade and Cooperatives, Mr. Adan Mohammed who has been an avid supporter of the local motor vehicle industry in Kenya. In order attract more investors to set up plants locally Mr. Adan has expressed initiative in reducing the age limit of imported vehicles from the current eight years (as per the vehicle scrapping policy) to five years from the date of the vehicle’s first registration.
Speaking during the launch, Toyota Kenya Managing Director (MD), Mr. Arvinder Reel noted an increase in demand for Toyota Prado models and thus the company was reacting to customers needs for luxury with enhanced exterior and interior features, that increase the vehicle’s functionality.
Kenyans’ demand for luxury vehicles is on the rise, with the number of high-net-worth individuals worth at least $5 million (Ksh.500, 000 million) increasing by 16.2 % to 1290 in 2017 from 1110 in 2016; according to the 2018 Wealth Report released by research company Knight Frank. The report further predicts this number to increase by 80 % in the next 10 years.
In 2017, Toyota increased its market share by 5 % with the Toyota Prado commanding a market share of 47% in its segment. Which, according to Toyota Chairman Amb. Dennis Awori, is attributed to an enabling environment. On the other hand, the car industry in Kenya as a whole has been experiencing a slump. Data from the Kenya Motor Industry Association (KMI) shows sales of 10,121 vehicle units in the 11 months leading up to November 2017, considering the average monthly order for the year was 844 vehicles, this represented a 20 % drop in industry sales.
To boost sales Toyota Kenya has adopted a unique approach by entering into a partnership with several financial institutions that will see the institutions offer customers financing solutions for the new Prado. “The objective is to ensure that customers enjoy the brand new vehicle within their monthly operational budget, “added Mr. Reel, Toyota Kenya MD.
Toyota Kenya Limited (TKL) has been in operation since 1964 and is the sole distributor and service provider of Toyota, Yamaha Motorcycles, Hino truck and bus brands in Kenya. TKL is owned by Toyota Tshusho Corporation [TTC]; the trading arm of Japan-based Toyota Motor Group [TMC].
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