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 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.
Source : Bangkokpost, Jan 29 2008
