Toyota to target the livery car service market with all new 2013 Avalon

Toyota jumped into the livery or car service market with their announcement on Oct. 30 that they would be offering two livery models of the all-new 2013 Avalon to meet the needs of car service fleet operators.

Until recently, the market was dominated by the Lincoln Town Car, which accounted for roughly 80 percent of livery sedan sales. With that car discontinued, livery fleets are looking for alternatives.

In my travels these past several months, I have used car services frequently to travel from airports to appointments and return. Almost always, these vehicles were very tired and well worn Lincoln Town Cars.

As an auto journalist, I often engaged the drivers in conversation about their company strategies for replacing the aging Town Cars. A list of vehicles that were being considered usually included the Lincoln MKT, Cadillac XTS and Chrysler 300.

Interestingly, when I got a first look at the new 2013 Avalon last month, it crossed my mind it could also be on that list of possible replacements. It turns out that my thoughts were on target with this announcement from Toyota.

Toyota has wisely observed that the livery and chauffeured transportation market is an area of opportunity for the new 2013 Avalon. There are more than 12,000 livery operators nationwide with an average fleet size ranging from 12 to 18 vehicles. Sedan sales to these companies typically range between four and six thousand a year.

On average, livery operators keep their cars in service for about five years, driving between 40 and 50 thousand miles a year.

The new Avalon, with its mix of styling, comfort, performance, and hybrid fuel economy can offer a compelling sedan to livery operators.

With the all-new 2013 Avalon, Toyota will offer a pair of unique livery models to meet the needs of fleet operators. The new fleet-focused models will also mark the introduction of the first Avalon Hybrid that promises to help reduce livery operator's fuel costs.

The two livery versions include the 2013 Avalon V6 gasoline model and the Avalon Hybrid.

The V6 version of the Avalon livery model starts with an XLE grade and adds rear HVAC, heated rear seats and deletes the heated front seats.

The gasoline model relies on a 3.5-liter, DOHC, 268 horsepower V6 engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission to help it achieve a combined EPA-rated fuel economy of 25 mpg (21 city/31 hwy.

Other standard features include; 10 airbags, 8-speaker Display Audio system, Smart Key for the two front doors, leather seating surfaces, heated outside mirrors with turn signal, 17-inch alloy wheels and a black on black treatment for the exterior and interior. This livery vehicle package is available with a $31,360 MSRP.

The 2013 Avalon Hybrid utilizes a 2.5-liter Atkinson cycle, four-cylinder engine with an electronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission that houses electric motors powered by a Nickel-Metal hydride battery to produce a total system output of 200 horsepower.

This efficient fleet model is EPA-rated at 40-MPG combined (40 city/ 39 hwy. The base Avalon Hybrid livery model adds rear HVAC, rear seat heater, and two-door smart key to the Hybrid XLE Premium grade.

Equipment deleted from this XLE Premium for the livery model includes three-door Smart Key, back-up camera, moon roof, heated front seats, and the inside mirror that includes a garage door opener.

The Avalon Hybrid Livery model in XLE Premium grade is expected to start at $33,750.

Toyota expects fuel mileage should be a key advantage for Avalon. Based on current gas prices and driving 50,000 miles a year, the gas and hybrid livery editions could deliver substantial fuel cost savings.

I will be doing a first drive of the 2013 Toyota Avalon and Avalon Hybrid next week and will report back to you on my driving impressions following that drive.

The new 2013 Avalon is being assembled at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky in Georgetown, KY.

The 2013 Avalon Livery models go on sale at the beginning of December, 2012.

If you use livery or car service vehicles in your business or personal travels, expect to see some 2013 Toyota Avalons right after the first of the year.

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