Toyota engineers and prices the all-new Venza to be the ""must have"" car of 2009 Start Smart with Toyota value-added products, competitively priced for 2009"

(TORONTO) The Toyota Venza makes a bold segment-busting statement that drivers can have innovation, versatility and efficiency in one package. Today, Toyota Canada is pleased to announce pricing that anticipates the needs of the evolving Canadian driver. With the choice of a 4-cylinder or V6 engine, both with starting prices below $30,000, Toyota adds value as a key chapter of the Venza story.

“We’re pleased to offer the remarkable new Toyota Venza – the five-passenger vehicle that combines the best of sedan-like performance and comfort with SUV versatility,” noted Warren Orton, Director, Toyota Canada Inc. (TCI). “The Venza demands immediate attention, and with an attractive MSRP that starts at $29,900, Toyota is inviting Canadian drivers to see for themselves that this unique vehicle offers value, great performance and fuel efficiency with no compromise on innovative design and amenities.”

The all-new Venza – designed and built in North America, and sold exclusively to the North American market – is a new kind of vehicle that is ideal for active boomers and young families. It offers Canadians the choice of a surprisingly powerful and fuel efficient 4-cylinder engine or a V6 engine for those who require that added boost. Regardless of engine choice, the Venza does not compromise with a premium comfort interior, ample cargo space, towing capability, and front-wheel-drive or the added confidence of all-wheel-drive. The Venza comes complete with a generous complement of comfort and convenience features, from remote keyless entry to 60/40 folding rear seats easily stowed via one-touch levers.

As part of an innovative plan to help Canadians Start Smart in 2009, Toyota Canada Inc. also announced a general price adjustment, effective January 3, that would be held to an average of just one per cent across the Toyota and Lexus line-ups, well below Canada’s inflation rate over the past year*. Combined with exceptional limited time Start Smart promotions, when Canadians purchase finance any Toyota model they can take advantage of an offer to make no payments for 90 days. What’s more, $500 gas gift cards are available when purchasing the made-in-Canada 2009 Toyota Corolla, Matrix and RAV4 and up to $5,000 in gas gift cards or cash credit are available when purchasing other select 2008 and 2009 models. This approach offers Canadians great value for great vehicles across the Toyota and Lexus product lines.

About Toyota Canada

Toyota Canada Inc. (TCI) is the exclusive Canadian distributor of Toyota and Lexus cars, SUVs and trucks, and Toyota industrial equipment. TCI’s head office is in Toronto, with regional offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal and Halifax and parts distribution centres in Toronto and Vancouver.

TCI supports more than 300 Toyota, Lexus and Toyota Industrial Equipment dealers in Canada with services that include training, marketing and environmental and customer satisfaction initiatives.

Toyota’s Canadian operations include automotive assembly plants in Cambridge, ON (Toyota Corolla, Toyota Matrix, Lexus RX350) and Woodstock, ON (Toyota RAV4), which together employ more than 5,700 Canadians.