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Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE:TM) announced on Wednesday that it started sales of the all-new Alphard and Vellfire gasoline and hybrid electric vehicle versions.
The Alphard and Vellfire can seat up to six people in a 2+2+2 layout with second-row captain’s chairs. The Alphard and Vellfire were noted to be the first-ever Toyota vehicles to feature Universal Steps on both right and left-hand-side sliding doors, making it easier for small children and the elderly to enter and exit the vehicles in comfort. Both can be purchased with front- or all-wheel drive as well as a hybrid powertrain, with a plug-in hybrid setup to be added later. The most powerful Vellfire version is a turbocharged 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine with 275 horsepower and 316 pound-feet of torque.
Base sales volume out of Japan of the vans is expected to be 8,500 units per month, with he Alphard accounting for approximately 70% of the volume and the Vellfire for approximately 30%.
The Japanese automaker said it plans to introduce plug-in hybrid vehicles in the future to further contribute toward carbon neutrality.
