Click on Celica

Toyota is keen on a mix of cyberspace and car-yard reality to promote its cars, including the latest Celica, ALASTAIR SLOANE reports.

Toyota New Zealand has looked into its crystal ball and coined a phrase - "clicks and mortar." It has nothing to do with the building industry. Neither is it an aiming mechanism for the army.

It deals with cyberspace and car yards. Will the Internet mean the end of the car yard as we know it?

Toyota New Zealand senior general manager Alistair Davis said the dealer's role would certainly change but there would always be a need for "physical vehicle centres, for service, repairs and demonstrations."

"While the Internet offers the private seller more opportunities to find a buyer, the issues of hassle, quality assurance and verification suggests there is likely to be a physical infrastructure to assist the disposal process of vehicles for quite some time to come," Davis said.

"Toyota's prediction is that the two will eventually be seen as 'clicks and mortar' - in other words, as complementary rather than mutually exclusive."

The role of the Internet in the motor industry would become more sophisticated, he said.

"Transactions such as the purchasing on-line of vehicles, or of added value items such as finance, warranties, even parts and accessories, will become commonplace."

Davis said his company's own Web site had 85,000 visitors a year looking at about 300,000 pages - about three to four pages a visit. Direct contact between the company and customers was up 600 per cent in five years.

Davis expects new-vehicle sales in 2000 to be up about 3.5 per cent on 1999. Growth this year was up 5 per cent on 1998. Used imports were up 25 per cent. Registrations were up 16 per cent to 203,000.

But the trends were changing. Niche sectors such as recreational vehicles and luxury cars were growing, but the demand for conventional, mid-sized cars was declining, he said.

"In part, this is because of New Zealand's economic recovery, but it is also a reflection of the fact that with the major choice available in used markets, New Zealand customers need a reason to buy a new car today, and the niche model is a fashionable option."

One of these fashionable options is the new Toyota Celica, a good looking two-door with a hi-revving 1.8-litre engine developed jointly with Yamaha, the piano, guitar, keyboard, marine motors and motorcycle people.

Toyota expects the Celica to be a big hit in New Zealand, perhaps selling 200 or so before this time next year, mostly to men.

The new model, the seventh-generation Celica, will cost $40,000 with either a six-speed manual gearbox or four-speed automatic with shift buttons on the steering wheel. Cruise control is also standard.

The car was styled at Toyota's studio in California and is more compact than the one it replaces. Engineers positioned the wheels and suspension system (MacPherson struts in front, double wishbones in the rear) near the corners of the car to aid stability and create interior room.

The engine is more compact, producing 140Kw at 7600 rpm and 180Nm of torque at 6800 rpm - 40 per cent more power than the old 2.2-litre motor.

It is the first Toyota engine to feature variable valve timing and intelligent variable valve lift.

Toyota calls this VVTL-i. Basically, it makes the engine more efficient, resulting in better performance and fuel economy and reduced exhaust emissions.

The car comes with the latest safety devices, including four airbags and ABS anti-lock brakes. Buyers will have the choice of upgrading the single-disc CD unit to an in-dash six-disc unit with six speakers. The choice of three colours inside and five outside will help set the tone.