CFAO Mobility Sierra Leone has unveiled the sixth-generation Toyota RAV4 and the newly introduced Toyota Land Cruiser FJ, bringing two new models into the Sierra Leonean market. The vehicles were unveiled on Friday, September 4, at CFAO Mobility’s facility on Lightfoot Boston Road, Freetown, under the theme: “Adventure Meets Innovation.”
The sixth-generation RAV4 comes with improved hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains, a redesigned exterior and interior, advanced digital technology and enhanced Toyota Safety Sense systems aimed at improving efficiency, performance and safety. The RAV4 is being sold for US 60,000.
The new Land Cruiser FJ, meanwhile, is a more compact SUV designed for both urban and off-road driving. It combines four-wheel-drive capability, improved maneuverability, modern safety features and a customizable interior while maintaining the durability and reliability associated with the Land Cruiser brand. The Land Cruiser FJ is being sold for US$69,000.
Speaking at the unveiling, Managing Director of CFAO Mobility Sierra Leone, Geoffrey De Marcellus, said Toyota is developing vehicles with African customers and local driving conditions in mind. He said vehicles imported by CFAO Mobility are “tropicalized” and adapted to conditions in Sierra Leone, including dust and fuel quality, which he said could affect vehicles not designed for the local environment.
Geoffrey De Marcellus also introduced Toyota’s new brand message, “TO YOU, TOYOTA,” replacing the previous “Toyota for Life” slogan. He said the new message reflects Toyota’s focus on developing mobility solutions with customers at the centre.
“We are making mobility specifically with YOU in mind,” he said, while stressing the company’s focus on safety and security.
He also used the occasion to raise awareness about Toyota’s worldwide Takata airbag replacement campaign, particularly for owners of older Toyota vehicles. According to GeoffreyDe Marcellus, some vehicles manufactured between 2006 and 2014, including models such as the Corolla, 4Runner and Fortuner, may be fitted with affected Takata airbags.
He encouraged owners to contact CFAO Mobility with their vehicle’s serial number to determine whether their vehicle is affected, noting that the replacement is provided free of charge, regardless of the vehicle’s age or whether the owner is a regular CFAO customer.
Sales and Marketing Manager at CFAO Mobility Sierra Leone, Calvin Hans-Kawa, described the unveiling as the beginning of a new chapter for Toyota’s RAV4 and Land Cruiser families.
He said the RAV4 has evolved from a vehicle used for everyday commuting and family activities into a more connected and technologically advanced SUV designed around the different ways people live and drive.
On the Land Cruiser FJ, Hans-Kawa said Toyota is combining the brand’s traditional principles of reliability, durability and off-road capability with a more compact design.
He said the FJ is built around the concept of “Freedom & Joy”, giving drivers the confidence to move from city roads to more difficult terrain.
The unveiling forms part of CFAO Mobility Sierra Leone’s efforts to expand Toyota’s vehicle offerings in the country while providing customers with newer technologies, safety features and vehicles adapted to local conditions.
