Toyota Adds Low-speed Range to Radar Cruise Control

Tokyo, Japan, Mar. 16, 2004 - (JCN Newswire) - TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION
(TMC) announced today that it has developed an innovative radar cruise
control system with a low-speed mode to help reduce driver burden during
traffic congestion. Toyota plans to offer the system in a new vehicle to
be launched this summer. 

Toyota introduced its first commercial radar cruise control system-- for
speeds from 40-100km/hr-- in its Japanese-market Celsior luxury sedan in
August 1997. Further technological advances allow Toyota radar cruise
control to be used at much lower speeds (0-30km/h), making driving in
low-speed situations easier. 

The new system keeps track of the preceding vehicle at speeds of 30km/h
or lower. When the preceding vehicle stops, the system provides visual
and audio warnings urging the driver to apply the brakes. If the driver
does not respond in time, the system slows the vehicle to a complete
stop. It thus assists the driver in stop-and-go traffic by reducing
pedal work. 

The key to the new system lies in a broader range laser sensor for
detecting vehicles ahead and improved recognition capabilities, as well
as the use of a high-performance braking system that operates smoothly
in low speed ranges.

In developing this system, Toyota, using test vehicles certified by the
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transportation in 2001, conducted
road tests on the Tokyo Metropolitan Expressway, known for it
often-congested conditions and numerous curves.

The new system's low-speed mode, coupled with a conventional mode for
mid-to-high speed range driving, is estimated to cover about 90% of
driving-speed situations during a typical weekday on the Tokyo
Metropolitan Expressway. 

The new system is being detailed today through a panel display at the
ASV Phase 3 conference on advanced safety vehicles at Tokyo Dome City in
Koraku, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo.


About Toyota Motor Corporation

Toyota Motor Corporation was established in 1937
and is one of the world's biggest automakers operating worldwide. The
company operates a joint venture with General Motors in California.
Toyota enjoys a strong 40%-plus domestic market share (excluding
minicars). Boasts highly efficient production thru lean production
system.For further information, please visit the Toyota Motor
Corporation home page at: www.toyota.co.jp/en/index.html
<http://www.toyota.co.jp/en/index.html>