HELPDESK:Answering all your motoring queries
From Mick Power:
I was interested to see your item about the Toyota Hybrid X people carrier due in 2012, which suggests that this is a new venture for the brand when in fact hybrid technology in a people carrier format has been available to their Japanese customers since 2001, and in an updated format since 2006. It makes me wonder why Toyota has withheld this production model from European markets? While these hybrids may be available here as a grey import, parts and warranty issues make their purchase something of a lottery as Toyota Ireland, in my experience, do not source parts for such second-hand cars.
We spoke to Toyota yesterday who told us they discontinued their large people carriers in the European model line-up in 2005 “given the extremely small size of that large MPV segment within the overall European market”.
However, a spokesman said they were committed to introducing hybrid technology across their range of vehicles in Europe as quickly as possible.
In terms of repairing imports, he said that “while it’s true to say that imported vehicles do not carry a warranty, it is incorrect to suggest that Toyota Ireland would refuse to source parts for an imported Estima Hybrid. We have already supplied parts for used Estima Hybrids to customers of those vehicles through our dealer network, as long as the dealer is certain which parts are required for the vehicle.
“A problem in ordering a specific part may arise given that these vehicles are solely for the Japanese market. The diagnostic tooling required to assess the vehicle requirements with certainty is different from that which is used for vehicles sold in the European market.”
* In response to last week’s comments about the dangers of waiting for the NCT to get your car checked, several dealers were in touch to highlight the safety checks now on offer. One, Foster Motor Co, said they have a 36-point safety check for €30, with free replacement bulbs for all loyalty card customers.
Send your queries to Motors Helpdesk, The Irish Times, Tara St, Dublin 2 or email motorshelp@irishtimes.com