UMW Toyota unveils Avanza

BY LOUIS CHEANG

RAWANG: Toyota's new entry-level MPV, the Avanza, was unveiled to the media at Perodua’s headquarters and assembly plant in Sungai Buaya, Selangor, yesterday. 

UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd managing director David Chen said the Avanza was the culmination of two years of joint effort by UMW Toyota, Perodua, Toyota Motor Corporation and Daihatsu Motor Co Ltd of Japan. 

Perodua managing director Datuk Y. Uehara said the company had spent RM29mil to upgrade its assembly line to conform to Toyota’s quality standards. 

The Avanza is produced by Perodua and marketed by UMW Toyota. 

HEATING UP THE MARKET: The Avanza, an affordable entry-level MPV, is set to give rivals a runfor their money.

“At RM55,967 for the five-speed manual and RM59,989.88 for the four-speed automatic, the Avanza is the most affordable model in the UMW Toyota range.  

“This is in line with the targeting of the Avanza as an entry-level MPV in the Malaysian market,” said Chen, adding that Malaysians had come to expect good value for money from every Toyota model and that the Avanza would be no exception. 

Chen also said the Avanza would not compete with Toyota's Unser, as it is targeted at younger families who need a spacious cabin and cargo space for children. 

The seven-seater Avanza is powered by a 1.3-litre VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing-Intelligent) 16-valve DOHC (Dual Overhead Camshaft) engine – producing a healthy 89PS, peaking at 6,000rpm and generating 120Nm of torque at 3,200rpm.  

VVT-i technology is also used in the Toyota's Camry, Altis, Vios and RAV4. 

The Avanza is already a success story in other Asean-member countries, with Indonesia registering sales of 32,000 units and 15,000 on order since its launch last January.  

Thailand has sold 2,800 units since the model was launched in July, with 5,500 units on order. 

The Avanza will be officially launched on Oct 29.