Is blue the new green? That’s the first thing I noticed when I reached Jerudong Park Polo & Riding Club for the official launching of Brunei’s first ‘green car’ the TOYOTA PRIUS. With a green theme shrouding the event, I wondered why Toyota had chosen the colour blue for its green vehicles and it appears not once but three places I looked (logo rim, gear knob and next to HYBRID label).
Apparently, Prius is a Latin word meaning “to go before” and Toyota chose this name because the Prius vehicle is positioned to be “the predecessor of cars to come”. Rapid population growth and economic development in recent decades have resulted in a sharp increase in fossil fuel consumption on a global scale. Faced with the challenge to create an earth-friendly vehicle, Toyota has produced the world’s first mass produced hybrid automobile and NBT TOYOTA introduced the first brand of hybrid (in its third generation) vehicle to Brunei Darussalam.
Other than questions regarding its rather hefty price tag of B$58,400*, I’m pretty sure you have some burning questions regarding how the “the most advanced hybrid powertrain” system works on the road. The Hybrid Synergy Drive (HSD) provides dual power sources by combining the advantages of a nickel-metal hydride battery, an electric motor and a petrol engine. From starting off to low/mid speed, only electricity from the battery drives the motor to reach “full power instantly.” Driving conditions are monitored and an intelligent ECU controls engine and motor for optimum fuel efficiency. During hard acceleration however, power from the battery supplements power produced by the petrol engine to enhance overall driving power. During decelerating and braking, the motor is activated as a generator to convert kinetic energy into electricity that recharges the battery. When the car is at a complete stop, the petro engine shuts down and is on powered by electricity energy from the battery, thereby reducing fuel consumption and harmful emissions. Sounds like a blueprint for the future vehicles for the environmental conscious public. *correct at time of this post.
[R]educe — [N]ow — [B]runei — [D]arussalam
Because the Prius starts off in full electricity mode, the car is incredibly silent and you could literally have one brush right past you and you wouldn’t realise it—talk about an automobile for covert operations—imagine if this also came with stealth features you could effectively speed and is naked to the current generation of radar guns! Food for thought!
And just in case you’re wondering if the Prius has a radiator, it does. I was unable to locate the usual overflow coolant container but the pink liquid you see below is the coolant for the inverter unit which I imagine should be fairly costly to replace in the event of failure.
At the launch, Japanese Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam Hirose Noriki said Brunei could lead the way in the Asean region in promoting the “green” initiative. “I think Brunei is a good country to set an example to Asean countries in ‘greening’ the country (with the introduction of the green car),” he said. The ambassador added that if Bruneians opted to switch to green cars, it would be able to reduce the domestic consumption of petrol. “When that happens, the extra petrol can be exported to increase the country’s revenue. It can even help the government in reducing subsidy to petroleum,” he said, adding Brunei could “double benefit” from using “green cars”. — Brunei Times
NBT Brunei Sdn Bhd’s Managing Director Ninan Chacko said, “This (launching of the hybrid car) is a small, but significant step to ensure that the Green Heart of Borneo will continue to be enjoyed in the future. We must adopt a long term view, even though there is currently no official compulsion to do so. We believe that as a responsible 21st century green motor company which is ISO 14001 (Environment Management System) certified, we have a moral obligation to contribute to a greener, cleaner and brighter Brunei Darussalam.”
Ninan Chacko (L), NBT Managing Director presents the mock key to the Toyota Prius fleet to Tareq Mahmood, HSBC CEO (R) as Pg Hj Ahmad Pg Jaya Negara Pg Hj Abdul Rahman (C), Director, Jasra Car Rental Sdn Bhd looks on.
A representative of NBT gesturing to Guest of Honour the digital dashboard while Japanese Ambassador Hirose Noriki and Japanese Embassy First Secretary, Hiroshi Okouchi (right) look on.
HSBC (B) Sdn Bhd yesterday purchased 13 units of Toyota Prius in a bid to reaffirm its commitment to environment protection. Tareq Muhmood, chief executive officer of HSBC, said, “The cars will be used by the managers, or if we have visitors, then the cars will be used.” The bank normally has 13 to 15 vehicles which are now old and will be replaced by the Prius. “It is time to put our actions to where our words are, so we would like to encourage our customers to do the same,” he said, adding that the bank has introduced the lowest ever rates for car financing for anyone who wants to buy the Prius. — Brunei Times
Minister of Energy Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Dewa Major General (Rtd) Dato Seri Pahlawan Hj Mohd Hj Daud was present as guest of honour to officiate the launching of Toyota’s hybrid car, Toyota Prius, held at the Jerudong Polo and Riding Club.
Pehin Hj Mohd told The Brunei Times cars in the Sultanate were the biggest emitter of carbon into the atmosphere contributing 53 per cent of carbon gas emission. However, the launch of the Brunei’s first “green” car could be the light at the end of the tunnel. Pehin Dato Hj Mohd said: “I hope that the green car(s) would help reduce carbon emissions and also help (fight) climate change.” — Brunei Times
“Let me emphasise here, we are doing this, not for ourselves, but for our future generations”
One of many reasons to smile about, the team at NBT TOYOTA Brunei Darussalam are on the road to a greener Brunei Darussalam.
About NBT Toyota Sdn Bhd
NBT, the sole distributor of Toyota vehicles in Brunei, led the market with 3,717 passenger and commercial vehicles sold. It dominated the automobile market with a 30 per cent market share. In December, the Toyota distributor sold 142 units of top seller Toyota Vios, outselling all other car distributors.Posted in Brunei Darussalam Tagged: conservation, debbie too, green cars, HSBC, Hybrid Synergy Drive, NBT Toyota Brunei, Ninan Chacko, outstanding quietness, Rachel Thien, tareq muhmood, the brunei times, toyota prius
