Toyota's engine-powered counterbalance forklifts have achieved 30 consecutive years of Australian forklift market leadership, according to sales figures from the Australian Industrial Truck Association (AITA) to the end of December 2016.
Toyota's three-decade run began in 1987 with the 5-Series and continues to the present with the market-leading Toyota 8-Series range of internal combustion counterbalance forklifts.
Toyota Material Handling Australia (TMHA) general manager - product management Dean Watson said the sales milestone came down to a number of key factors.
"Toyota forklifts have always been synonymous with high build quality, durability, reliability and low lifecycle cost," Mr Watson said.
"Another important reason for our success is our System of Active Stability, or SAS, that contains a full suite of safety measures that is unmatched by other brands.
"Toyota was the first to introduce this kind of comprehensive safety package in 1999, and today it is standard equipment across a range of our forklifts."
TMHA COO Steve Takacs said achieving the 30-year milestone was testament to the constant quality improvements made to Toyota's suite of forklifts.
"Over those three decades Toyota has consistently refined and improved its product offering, and today the 8-Series internal combustion counterbalance forklift range leads the way in safety and efficiency, backed by expert after-sales support from our nation-wide network of TMHA branches," Mr Takacs said.
Toyota's 8-Series forklift range offers a large, easily accessible workspace with a wide foot area, a tight turning circle for improved manoeuvrability, ergonomically designed controls, excellent forward visibility and a comfortable and fully adjustable operator restraint suspension seat with added lumbar support.
The fuel-efficient Toyota engines are tuned to minimise noise levels in enclosed environments, while Toyota hydraulic valve lifters help lower engine noise and reduce maintenance requirements.
All of Toyota's engine powered 8-Series* forklifts contain its exclusive SAS safety technology that includes an advanced Active Swing Lock Cylinder to help improve productivity, operator confidence and forklift stability to help reduce the potential for tip-overs. It also includes Toyota's exclusive Operator Presence System (OPS) that prevents the forklift from being used if the operator is not seated correctly.
Thirty consecutive years of Australian forklift market leadership for Toyota's engine-powered counterbalance forklifts (8-Series pictured).