Toyota Motor Thailand yesterday launched the fourth generation of the Vios model, targeting monthly sales of 10,000 vehicles.
The new Vios was unveiled at the 34th Bangkok International Motor Show, which opens to the public tomorrow at Impact Muang Thong Thani. Prices range from 559,000 to 734,000 baht. PATTARAPONG CHATPATTARASILL
The Vios, which is also known as the Soluna in Thailand where it is designed exclusively for Thai motorists, had reached accumulated domestic sales of 656,811 units and exports of 186,761 as of last month.
President Kyoichi Tanada said the new Vios is more luxurious and sporty, both on the exterior and interior, with more space for passengers and a larger boot for luggage.
The engine is powered by a 1.5-litre, four-cylinder engine, with prices ranging from 559,000 to 734,000 baht.
Toyota aims to export 45,000 units of the new Vios to more than 80 countries this year.
It expects total vehicle sales of 900,000 units this year, of which 500,000 will be for the domestic market and 400,000 for export.
Toyota last year sold 516,086 vehicles in Thailand and exported 405,892.
Executive vice-president Wichien Emprasertsuk said the new Vios will start production next month at the Toyota Gateway plant in Chachoengsao province.
"The existing Vios remains on the production line for delivery to customers. Toyota will stop production of the old model by the end of March," he said.
About 10,000 units of the old Vios are expected to be sold out in April.
Mr Wichien said there is not much difference in price between the new and old models.
Ahead of the new Vios launch, Toyota dealers nationwide are becoming very aggressive in selling the existing model, offering discounts of as much as 50,000 baht. The old model is priced from 531,000 to 720,000 baht.
A full-option package with a 7,000-baht discount combines first-class insurance, spoiler, sunscreen film, leather seats and four-point backward sensors.
Prapat Choeychom, senior vice-president for marketing and sales of Nissan Motor (Thailand), said every carmaker normally opts for aggressive promotion to clear its inventory before launching a new model.
"Carmakers may spend a lot of their marketing budget if there are too many cars in their warehouses," he said.