Toyota forklift tops test for stability

The Tonero vehicle, equipped with Toyota's system of active stability (SAS), beat three other well-known brands in the test, conducted by testing organisation Union Technique de l'Automobile, du Motocycle et du Cycle (UTAC). Test conditions followed a proposed European standard for dynamic lateral stability – the ability of a truck to stay upright and not tip over while in motion. All four forklifts passed the test, but the Tonero achieved an excellent score on all requirements. Two professional test drivers with different forklift driving experience made sharp turns at speed to determine whether the vehicle would become unstable. Particular attention was paid to whether the forklift's inner rear wheel left the ground, as this indicates vehicle instability and could lead to the forklift tipping over. Toyota's Tonero was the only truck where the inner wheel did not left the ground with either driver. Tony Wallis, operations director for Toyota Material Handling UK, commented: "Loss of lateral stability leading to vehicle tip-over is a major cause of serious forklift accidents and injuries, and is the single largest cause of forklift accident fatalities... As this test demonstrates, Toyota SAS helps keep our forklifts stable, protecting drivers, goods and the trucks themselves." For more information and to see the stability test video online, visit: www.sas.toyota-forklifts.co.uk