Toyota China news

May 13, 2008 - As Toyota’s latest plant after established three years ago, Guangzhou Toyota Motor has introduced two of three Toyota global strategic models. Guangzhou Toyota will bring hybrid cars to the domestic market with Camry as the best platform, the joint venture said last week.

When Guangzhou Toyota is considering introducing hybrid cars, China’s market demand should be looked into and the consumers’ concept will be guided, said vice general manager of Guangzhou Toyota. “The current mass-produced cars could be mounted with the hybrid technology to raise their sales. I believe this is a good strategy to introduce hybrid cars to China with Camry as the platform.”

Since Guangzhou Honda has launched 3.5L Yaris now, people have asked whether high-emission Camry will come out to enter C-class vehicle market or not. “That’s not necessary now. But it is quite possible that Camry models are to be added as sales improve and the consumer base expands. Besides, Toyota can also put out an all-new model to meet the market demand because of its richer line-up of products than Honda,” said Feng Xingya, vice general manager of Guangzhou Toyota.

The number of Guangzhou Toyota dealerships in Beijing has now increased to 9 from 7, and will reach 11 by the end of this year.

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June 4, 2008 -Toyota Motor Corp, Japan's largest auto makers, plans to invest RMB 1.5 billion to boost production capacity of the No. 2 plant of Tianjin FAW Toyota Motor Co Ltd, according to Toyota's recent announcement. A new production line may be built to make Toyota's new model Lexus locally in China.

The plant's production facilities, which principally specialize in producing Reiz and Crown, are expected to produce 150,000 vehicles upon the completion of the investment, up 50% compared with the current 100,000 units, the statement said. It will also establish R&D center to further intensify its research and development power of car models.

In addition, Toyota may consider building Lexus production line in China if the model's annual sales reach 30,000 units, said a senior executive at Toyota's China venture. In the first ten months of 2007, Toyota sold 22,102 units of Lexus, a sharp increase of 136% from a year earlier. Sooner or later, Lexus will be locally made for the fast-growing Chinese market, and the second plant of Tianjin FAW Toyota is seen as the best facility for this mission.

Tianjin FAW Toyota has three plants in China, producing its best-selling models such as Vios, Corolla, Reiz and Crown. The total capacity of these plants is 420,000 vehicles annually.

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Following on the report yesterday that Toyota is set to introduce two brands exclusively for the Chinese market beginning next year, word has it that the automaker is planning to introduce 20 new models in China by 2016.

It’s mentioned that of the 20, two small cars will be the among the first in, arriving in the second half of next year. The offerings are a sedan and a hatch – the sedan will come from the JV in Tianjin with FAW, while the hatch will be built at the JV with Guangzhou Automobile.

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