Toyota Industries Corporation (TIC) wants its seventh-generation battery electric forklift to be the platform for a European assault, in an effort to grow its market share from seven percent to 15 percent.

TIC executive vice-president Koichiro Noguchi said the new 7FBMF series, launched in France by Toyota Industrial Equipment Europe this month, was "exclusively designed for the European market". Nine models of the new 80-volt machine, from 1.6-tonnes to five-tonne capacities, were shown to dealers and the materials handling press.

The 7FBMF combines Toyota's AC-squared power and SAS active stability systems and features automatic fork levelling and active steering synchronisation, which reduces slippage by constantly re-aligning the steering.

Other features include active control rear stabilisers, active mast control systems and wet disk brakes. Toyota claims the AC controller and motor give up to 30 percent better lifting performance, and the 7FBMF reduces operating time by up to 25 percent. The compact AC motor allows the battery to be stowed under the floor, providing new freedom for cab designers.

TIC sold 70,000 forklifts worldwide in 2001 and materials handling accounts for 37 percent of its turnover. With the 7FBMF, Toyota - already a global leader - hopes to strengthen its European position further.

In an exclusive interview with Forkliftaction.com News, Mr Noguchi said the new forklifts would be manufactured on a new production line at Toyota's Ancenis factory, using mostly European components. Delivery would start in September.

Mr Noguchi said Toyota spent USD60 million a year on development over the past three years, 20 percent of which was on the 7FMBF series. Digital and virtual design techniques halved development time.

"We want to accelerate product lead times in this industry," Mr Noguchi said.

He said the integration of BT, which Toyota acquired in 2000, had been successful. "Today we are strong enough to meet our strategic goals."