I was at Toyota dealer during the week looking for inspiration to provide my next contribution to FAN. A deadline was approaching and nothing had inspired me in weeks. So why a Toyota dealership? Good question. The words normally associated with the market leading brand are reliable, value, conservative – not inspiring. They say all journalists can sniff out a good story and it turns my nose was leading me in the right direction.
So while meandering in the new car showroom at Lander Toyota in Sydney on a Wednesday afternoon, I heard some commotion on the far side. I couldn’t see what was happening because of the King of the Road which is a novated lease favourite (LandCruiser 200 in case you didn’t know) was casting a shadow over the reception area.
As I wandered over the crowd seemed animated, like a two-up game on Anzac Day. There was giddy excitement in the air. And the laughter carried across the tiled grey interior of the showroom. Once I passed the new muscular RAV4 Hybrid, and rounded the family sized Kluger, I saw the cause of all the smiles and giggles.
Sitting outside the showroom in the delivery suite, was a shiny, beautiful, yellow Toyota Supra. It was a social media feast of selfies and high fives as staff posed next to the latest arrival to the Toyota family. Even the dealership’s Financial Controller was in on the action.
It was one of the first batch delivered into Australia for dealers to entice and excite customers towards the Toyota brand. Unfortunately you can’t front up to Lander Toyota with your hard earned and drive it home. To order a Supra you need to register your interest online and then wait for the reservation window to open.
According to the Toyota website, “We’re introducing a centralised online reservation process for the limited number of All-New Toyota GR Supras. We are taking orders on a first in, best dressed basis to ensure the fairest allocation.”
I had my camera out to snap some photos for this article but I didn’t. It felt like I was intruding on a private moment. FAN doesn’t do the paparazzi thing chasing the first photo of new models but now I wish I had filmed the whole scene. A video would be a better way to convey the level enthusiasm I witnessed that day.
If the Supra project was meant to bring excitement to the Toyota brand then tick the box – job done. I remember the buzz of the 86 launch several years ago and this seems bigger. So visit a Toyota dealership this weekend to get your Supra selfie!
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