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Thailand has become the regional production hub for all Toyota car models for export to Asean for both fully built units and assembly kits, according to Toyota Motor Thailand Co president Mitsuhiro Sonoda. The models include the Camry, Corolla Altis, Vios, Yaris and Wish compact multi-purpose vehicles (MPV).
With the all-new Corolla Altis sedan launched yesterday, Toyota has positioned the car as a key product from its Thai plant for export to Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines. Production in all three countries has already ceased. Before the Corolla Altis, only Toyota's Hilux Vigo pickup trucks in Thailand were exported globally.
Fully-built units would also be exported to Singapore and Brunei. Toyota would also continue to ship assembly kits for the new Corolla to markets with high tax barriers.
Mr Sonoda said 50% of the Corolla Altis units made in Thailand would be set aside for exports, expected to start in July.
The new development was in line with Toyota's policy of strengthening Toyota products in the region with certain parts being imported from Asean countries.
The new Corolla Altis uses 83% local content with a small portion from Asean and Japan.
Mr Sonoda said Thailand was also selected as the regional production hub for Camry, Vios and Yaris sedans and Wish compact MPVs for export to Asean. They were exported in the form of fully built units and assembly kits.
Toyota yesterday introduced the new Corolla Altis as the 10th generation to the Thai market - the vehicle has been around for over 40 years. Over the decades, more than 455,000 units have been sold locally.
''The Corolla has played a major role in contributing to Toyota's market share and making it number one in the Thai car market,'' said Mr Sonoda.
Toyota Motor Corporation's chief engineer, Yasuyuki Kawamoto, said the Corrolla Altis was developed with concern for passenger health and the environment. Toyota used interior parts with low volatile organic compounds (VOC) for new Altis production in Thailand which could reduce VOCs by more than 80% from the previous model.
The new Altis is also designed to run on E20 gasohol. It is available with a 1.8-litre or 1.6-litre petrol engine. Seven versions would be available with retail prices ranging from 709,000 to 969,000 baht - cheaper than the previous model.
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