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| Toyota FT-1 concept sports car unveiled in Detroit | Toyota FT-1 concept sports car unveiled in Detroit |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Japanese carmaker Toyota has unveiled a new concept sports car, Future Toyota-1 (FT-1), at the Detroit motor show. | Japanese carmaker Toyota has unveiled a new concept sports car, Future Toyota-1 (FT-1), at the Detroit motor show. |
| Toyota said the concept car was a symbol of its future product designs. | |
| The firm said it was aiming to move away from making "less risky" cars towards making vehicles that "connect more deeply" with consumers. | |
| The Japanese manufacturer is one of the many global carmakers that have unveiled new vehicles at the ongoing auto show in Detroit. | The Japanese manufacturer is one of the many global carmakers that have unveiled new vehicles at the ongoing auto show in Detroit. |
| German carmaker Mercedes showcased the latest version of its C-class saloon at the event. | German carmaker Mercedes showcased the latest version of its C-class saloon at the event. |
| Meanwhile, Ford unveiled a new lightweight version of the F-150 pick-up truck. Its body is 95% made of high-strength aluminium and weighs up to 700 pounds (300 kg) less than the current model. | Meanwhile, Ford unveiled a new lightweight version of the F-150 pick-up truck. Its body is 95% made of high-strength aluminium and weighs up to 700 pounds (300 kg) less than the current model. |
| Evolving design? | |
| Toyota is the world's biggest carmaker but it has been facing growing competition from Germany's Volkswagen as well as rejuvenated US car firms General Motors and Ford. | |
| Volkswagen has in fact set its sights on becoming the world's biggest car manufacturer by 2018. | |
| As firm jostle for a bigger share of the global car market, they have been launching new models in an attempt to attract new customers. | |
| Toyota said its concept car indicated a new approach towards producing cars "that connect more deeply with customers, generating a more satisfying ownership experience". | |
| Kevin Hunter, president of Calty Design Research which developed the concept, said that Toyota had previously designed its vehicles so they would be "liked by everyone and as a result we took less risks and tried not to stray too far". | |
| "This provocative concept truly captures the passion, excitement, and energy of the Toyota we are evolving into and embodies elements of the emotion and performance that Toyota will imprint upon future production designs," he added. |