New Toyota Corolla, Matrix to Debut at SEMA

BIG SKY, MT – Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc. will take the wraps off its new ’09 Corolla and Matrix compact cars at the upcoming Specialty Equipment Marketers Assn. show in Las Vegas next month, company officials say here.

The 4-door Corolla sedan and 5-door Matrix hatchback were last new when they debuted in 2001, with the latter a twin of General Motors Corp.’s Pontiac Vibe, also new for ’09.

Toyota, which this year is the official OEM sponsor of the annual SEMA show, also will display a tricked-out, heavy-duty “dually” version of its Tundra fullsize pickup.

However, Brian Smith, Toyota division corporate marketing manager-trucks and SUVs, tells Ward’s it will not be a concept vehicle, as has been reported, but merely a show car put together by tuners and powered by a diesel engine from Toyota-subsidiary Hino Motors Mfg. U.S.A. Inc.

Smith says, as with Nissan North America Inc., Toyota has put a hold on a heavy-duty version of its fullsize pickup due to inhospitable market conditions.

Meanwhile, Toyota announces at its ’08 Land Cruiser SUV media preview here its all-new ’08 Sequoia fullsize SUV will be unveiled at the Los Angeles International Auto Show in mid-November. The Land Cruiser and Sequoia both share the Tundra’s 5.7L V-8 engine.