Toyota Develops 'Asia Car' for Sale in Thailand

04/12/96

By early 1997 Toyota will be selling a subcompact car in Thailand that is designed specifically for sale in that country and surrounding regions. The car will be powered by a 1,500cc engine and will be based on the Tercel. The Asia Car will be an inexpensive economy car that sells for less than the 1,500cc Corolla based subcompact that is currently available. Toyota expects to make 3,000 Asia Cars a month, initially. They will raise that output to 5,000 per month by the year 2000.

Toyota plans to invest 12 billion yen in Toyota Motor Thailand. The company hopes to increase production in Thailand by 20% to 240,000 cars annually by the year 1998. Thailand will be Toyota's manufacturing center for Southeast Asia.

Paul Dever -- The Auto Channel