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Given their reputation and frankly the necessity for durability, lift trucks don't have the same life cycle as some other vehicles in the market. While some trucks and certainly passenger cars get annual facelifts, and model years can vary widely, a lift truck, once launched, is expected to be serviceable, without significant improvement or alteration, for a considerably longer period of time. As such, when Toyota announced they would be launching the 8 Series (the next step in what has become quite the industrial equipment family) it was announced and introduced to the media with suitable fanfare. The new lift truck was unveiled to the media in Savannah, Ga., with press members treated to test-drives and convincing demonstrations. What follows here is a brief look at some of the more significant features and highlights of the next generation Toyota lift-truck.
Design
The 8 Series was designed by a team of engineers led by the man responsible for some of Toyota's most famous marquees such as the Camry. Kosaku Yamada was asked to take his automotive experience and apply it to the industrial sector. So, while the new 8 Series admittedly lacks reclining leather seats (or more than one seat for that matter) and an eight-speaker Bose surround sound system, changes in ergonomics, visibility and comfort are undoubtedly automotive inspired. Rob Reinders, director of Toyota's industrial equipment division commented on Yamada's involvement: "Having Kosaku's experience and creative vision focused on developing Toyota's lift trucks is very exciting for us," he says. "To have the chief engineer of some of the best selling vehicles...