UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) began 2023 with a bang by launching 5 GR fashions concurrently in February, together with the GR Corolla, GR86, Corolla Cross GR Sport, Hilux GR Sport and GR Supra with a six-speed guide.

This was adopted by the introduction of fourth-generation Vios in March, the Innova Zenix in June, the Corolla GR Sport in August in addition to the fourth-generation Alphard and Vellfire in October. Alongside the way in which, the corporate gave the common Corolla and Yaris some updates, whereas additionally presenting its multi-pathway technique to realize carbon neutrality.

Whereas the variety of launches has been notable, the largest information that shook the Malaysian automotive business got here in August 2023 when Sime Darby introduced plans to amass Permodalan Nasional Berhad’s (PNB) 61.18% stake in UMW Holdings, which itself has a 51% stake in UMW Toyota Motor in addition to a 38% stake in Perodua.

That deal was accomplished in December 2023 by way of Sime Darby’s oblique wholly-owned subsidiary Sime Darby Enterprise (SDESB). It was additionally revealed then that Sime Darby has issued a compulsory common supply to amass all of the remaining UMW shares (38.82% stake) not already owned by Sime Darby Enterprise and SDESB, with UMW set to ultimately be delisted from the Predominant Market of Bursa Malaysia.

It’s clear that 2023 was a really busy 12 months for Toyota in Malaysia, so what can we anticipate in 2024? Listed here are some potential fashions.

Toyota Yaris Cross

First revealed for the ASEAN market in Indonesia in Might 2023, the Yaris Cross is a B-segment SUV that’s positioned above the Raize, which is the sister automotive to the Perodua Ativa (and Daihatsu Rocky). Since we’re mentioning Perodua, we’ve to deliver up the closely rumoured and much-anticipated D66B that’s reportedly going to be primarily based on the Yaris Cross.

Whereas the Raize isn’t bought right here alongside the Ativa, Toyota and Perodua do promote fashions which are siblings to one another right here. Extra related ones are the Aruz and Rush, whereas fashions which are considerably completely different (by way of design however share the identical underpinnings) are the Alza and Veloz.

We think about the Yaris Cross to be a mannequin of curiosity as a result of it may be a extra reasonably priced SUV positioned beneath the Corolla Cross, which presently begins from RM130,400. If the Yaris Cross is priced beneath this level, it may very well be a sexy prospect.

At 4,310 mm lengthy, 1,770 mm large, 1,615 mm tall and with a wheelbase of two,620 mm, the Yaris Cross is nearer in measurement of the Honda HR-V and Proton X50. For Toyota clients who discover the Corolla Cross a bit too giant, the Yaris Cross (doubtlessly) at a decrease entry charge could be extra interesting.

Toyota bZ4X

Toyota’s first electrical automobile (EV) was beforehand stated to be launched in 2023, however this was later revised to 2024. As we had been beforehand informed, on-road testing of the bZ4X has been ongoing since earlier than the center of 2023 and we even obtained the prospect to deliver you a preview of the EV in a walk-around video tour.

On paper, the bZ4X’s 71.4-kWh lithium-ion battery gives a WLTP-rated vary of as much as 500 km, with energy fed to a front-mounted electrical motor producing 204 PS (201 hp or 150 kW) and 266 Nm of torque.

These figures might or might not be spectacular or ample for you, however the bZ4X’s albeit late entry into the Malaysian EV get together means it’ll don’t have any scarcity of competitors. Pricing will likely be an vital issue to sway would-be patrons, so we’ll need to see how a lot UMWT will push this mannequin. Any guesses?

Toyota Prius

The fifth-generation Prius made its world debut again in November 2022 and made an look in Thailand ultimately 12 months’s Bangkok Worldwide Motor Present (BIMS). The latter isn’t only for sake of publicity, as stories out of Thailand point out that the Prius may very well be launched within the nation someday in 2024 – some declare as quickly as the primary quarter.

The Prius additionally has a historical past in Malaysia, because the third-generation mannequin was bought right here again in 2009, with the facelifted model being launched later in 2012 alongside the Prius c. With Thailand set to welcome the Prius once more (there was an entire tax scandal factor years in the past that stopped gross sales since been resolved), bringing the Prius again to Malaysia is feasible as a halo hybrid mannequin.

UMWT has stated that hybrids are presently the most effective match for Malaysia contemplating the gas supply of our electrical energy era and accessible of charging infrastructure outdoors metropolis centres, so what higher nameplate to deliver again than the one which made hybrids mainstream?

Toyota Hilux Champ

On the floor, placing the Hilux Champ on sale right here doesn’t appear seemingly. Launched in Thailand final November, the Hilux Champ is the manufacturing model of the IMV 0, a back-to-basics pick-up truck that’s meant to be low cost and endlessly configurable.

Obtainable with varied powertrains, the Hilux Champ includes a modular rear part that permits upfitters to provide you with a myriad of potential aftermarket builds. Be it a cargo service, an emergency companies automobile, a camper, a cellular café/meals truck, an overlander, a race help automobile and even a cellular electrical automobile (EV) charging station, the Hilux Champ can turn into it.

Priced from 459,000 to 577,000 baht (RM62k to RM78k) in Thailand, the Hilux Champ is extra reasonably priced than the common, single-cab Hilux by about 100,000 baht (RM13,509). In a rustic that has a powerful love affair with pick-up vans, offering loads of cheaper workhorse choices makes a number of sense – Thailand actually does have a number of pick-up truck variants.

In Malaysia, workhorse pick-up vans are considerably restricted by way of choices and probably not seen as a precedence. UMWT sells the Hilux Single Cab 2.4 MT 4WD and that’s it, with each different Hilux being a double-cab variant that amps up the “luxurious options” to the purpose they turn into extra worthwhile life-style autos. Even so, would Malaysians be desirous about a fundamental truck like this if it’s priced pretty, both for work or each day use? Keep in mind, pick-up vans are tax free underneath the ASEAN Free Commerce Space settlement.

So, that’s our ideas on what we will anticipate from Toyota in 2024. What are you hoping from the model this 12 months? Share with us within the feedback beneath.

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