Toyota motor corp is usually the darling of the los Angeles Auto show, but testy relations with environmentalists and questions about quality are making the show a headache for the automaker this year.
The Sequoia has a new 5.7-liter, V-8 engine that is more powerful — at 381 horsepower — and more fuel efficient than the old engine. It also has improved aerodynamics to save fuel, and the company plans to introduce an ethanol-capable version in the fall of 2008. Pricing wasn't announced for the new Sequoia, which goes on sale in December.
Fuel economy numbers haven't been released, but Carter said they'll improve by about 12 percent over the old model, or 2 to 3 miles per gallon. The current Sequoia gets around 15 mpg in the city, compared with 21 mpg for the new hybrids from Chrysler and GM, including the Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen SUVs, the Chevrolet Tahoe SUV and Chevrolet Silverado pickup.
Carter said Toyota plans to offer hybrid versions of every vehicle in its lineup and is also studying combinations such as hybrid diesels. But it hasn't managed to develop a system that works well in large trucks like GM and Chrysler did in their consortium with Daimler and BMW.
The company's most recent embarrassment came earlier this week, when it pulled an ad that called Fresno a "low-budget tourist stop" after U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein wrote to complain.
Jim Lentz, president of Toyota's U.S. division, said the troubles are the result of Toyota's phenomenal growth.
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