Toyota to launch 'Asia car' soon<\/p>\n
TOKYO (AFP): Japan's Toyota Motor Corp. yesterday said it
\nwould launch its \"Asia car\" in Thailand next month, with
\nproduction already underway at its Thai plant.<\/p>\n
It said local subsidiary Toyota Motor Thailand Co. Ltd. would
\ncommence sales of the Soluna passenger car on Jan.31, with sales
\nof 40,000 units expected in the 1997, rising to 60,000 units in
\n2000, through 230 sales outlets.<\/p>\n
The 1.5 liter four-door sedan was developed \"to appeal to the
\nrecently emerging urban working class in countries now in the
\nexpansionary stage of development,\" Toyota said in a statement.<\/p>\n
The Soluna, to be built at Toyota's Gateway Plant in
\nChachoengsao province, about 130 kilometers (80 miles) east of
\nBangkok, would have 70 percent local content and use 700 locally-
\nmade parts.<\/p>\n
Plans for exporting the car to Singapore and Brunei were being
\ndrawn up, Toyota said.<\/p>\n
The car, in four models, was designed to resist Thailand's
\nclimate, with a high level of water resistance and anti-corrosion
\nfeatures, it said, adding that the Soluna's compact size was
\nsuited for city maneuvering and narrow parking spaces.<\/p>\n
Reports have said the car would have a price tag of 360,000 to
\n370,000 baht (US$14,100 to 14,500), about 20,000 baht less than
\nHonda's 1.3 liter City, which was developed in Thailand for the
\nAsian market and launched in April.<\/p>\n
Total sales exceeded 7,000 units for Honda's City by the end
\nof September.<\/p>\n
Toyota's annual production capacity in Thailand, including
\ncommercial vehicles, is expected to reach 240,000 units in 1998.<\/p>\n
The Gateway Plant currently produces only Toyota's Corona
\npassenger car, while its Corolla and Hilux models are made at its
\nSamrong Plant in Samut Prakan province, 29 kilometers (18 miles)
\nfrom Bangkok.<\/p>\n
Production of these two models will be transferred to the
\nGateway Plant in April next year.<\/p>",
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