Irvine-based Toyota Material Handling U.S.A. (TMHU) has again earned recognition for its products, with the company’s 8-Series internal combustion 5,000-pound capacity lift trucks graded highest in performance, fuel efficiency, and productivity. The third party testing was conducted by USAC Properties Inc., a division of the U.S. Auto Club.

The Toyota-branded manufacturer of forklifts, lift trucks and industrial handling carts and vehicles said its 8-series internal combustion model “dramatically” outperformed its competitors –– similar models manufactured by Caterpillar, Nissan and Yale –– in all three categories of performance, fuel efficiency and productivity, determined by measuring liquid propane gas run time per tank, fuel consumption and cycles per day.

“The objective data clearly shows Toyota is helping customers save money, up to $6,200 in fuel costs savings per year, which is vital in today’s business climate,” said Jeff Rufener, president for TMHU. “Toyota’s lift trucks offer proven fuel efficiency benefits without sacrificing productivity or performance.”

USAC Properties Inc., the performance testing and endorsement branch of the United States Auto Club, conducted the tests in a warehouse facility on a course designed to simulate typical lift truck operations in a demanding high-cycle warehouse environment, employing loaded and unloaded travel, turning, braking and the lifting and lowering of a 3,652 pound load. 

The company has also released its first mobile app, the Toyota Forklift Fuel Efficiency Calculator, available for the iPad and Android phones and tablet devices. The app allows forklift users to calculate their fuel savings, and the run time and work cycles they gain as a result. The calculator is also available online at TMHU’s website, and the company is also planning to release an iPhone app as well.

In other company news, Toyota Material Handling North America (TMHNA) President and CEO James Malvaso has announced that he plans to retire later this year. TMHNA is the corporate parent of Toyota Material Handling U.S.A., The Raymond Corporation, and Toyota Industrial Equipment Mfg. Inc., Toyota’s forklift manufacturing plant in Columbus, Ind. Malvaso will leave the company April 1 and be succeeded by Brett Wood, a 20-plus year veteran of the material handling industry.