UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd (UMWT) concluded June 2024 on a high note with a monthly sale of 7,600 units. This achievement propels the year-to-date sales to 47,000 units, showcasing the company’s robust initiatives and successful customer-centric promotions.
UMWT’s dedication to providing innovative mobility solutions and engaging in broader community initiatives is evident in this positive sales performance. The company attributes this success to its focused promotional efforts and a steadfast commitment to customer satisfaction and social responsibility.
There are a handful of cars that have come to define the enthusiasts of the 80s and 90s, and among the Skyline’s, Evolution’s and Impreza’s is the Supra.
Of course there are others as well such as the Mazda RX7 and Honda NSX, but one could argue that the four mentioned above are the ‘four heavenly kings’ of the era.
The Nissan Skyline needs no introduction and even the most self-confident Ferrari or Porsche driver will overtake one with caution. You don’t ever risk upsetting Godzilla, which, for the unaware, is what the Skyline GT-R is fondly known as.
The Skyline GT-R even dominated race series in Japan, America and in Europe. It was so quick that there are instances of race officials having to force the car to carry weight ballasts of up to 140kg just so that the competition had a chance of winning. Such bending of rules would have made the Verstappens proud.
The Mitsubishi Evolution and the Subaru Impreza made their name in the amazing world of rallying. In the hands of such legends as Colin McRae and Petter Solberg (among many others of course), Subaru was nearly untouchable in the World Rally Championship.
But Mitsubishi gave them a proper headache with the three-diamond marque having had its fair share of legends behind the wheel as well, such as Ari Vatanen and Tommi Makinen.
The Toyota Supra also made its name in motorsport but just like the Skyline, it competed in track events rather than in rallying. Though there have been instances where the Supra competed in rallying, however, it made a name for itself in sports car racing, particularly in the Japanese GT Championship, Super GT and even the iconic 24 hours of Le Mans.
The iconic sports car was born in 1978 as the Celica Supra. It got its name from the Toyota Celica, from which it also received its design inspiration. However, the Supra that gripped the world is the fourth-generation model which enthusiasts know as the Supra A80.
Despite its capabilities, the model was immortalised by pop culture when it appeared in the first instalment of the Fast & Furious movie franchise back in 2001. In the hands of Brian O’Conner (played by the late Paul Walker), the modified Supra out dragged and outclassed a Ferrari 355, and that not only sealed the Supra’s reputation, but also introduced it to a whole new generation of fans.
The fourth-generation Supra, or Mk4, was one of the finest sports car the world had ever seen, and just like the Nissan Skyline GT-R, it could do no wrong. Until the fifth-generation model was introduced in 2019, which is when all hell broke loose and the Supra went from the darling of sports cars, to arguably the most hated.
The fifth-generation Supra has been the subject of taunts, jokes and online hate ever since it was introduced. The negativity does not stem from the car or how it drives, in fact it drives rather nicely, and the design has aged quite well. But the hate stems from what underpins the car rather than the car itself.
Fans loved for the Supra for its design, the powertrain and of course, its performance. All of which was engineered and built in-house by Toyota.
And this is where the hate for the fifth-generation model stems from, the fact that it is not entirely made by Toyota but is a result of a collaboration between BMW and Toyota. The underbody for the Supra, the drivetrain, the electronics and even the interior fittings are all BMW. Only the design of the car and some of the performance bits are by Toyota.
In the modern world where billions are needed to create an entirely new model from scratch, it is quite understandable why Toyota would take that route. But for the enthusiast and keyboard warriors at home, it does not make sense. For some of them, it is more of a “make it a pure Toyota, or don’t make it at all”.
And after driving it quite extensively, I can see where the irritation comes from.
Toyota did very little to mask BMW’s presence around the car. You can spot BMW logos around the engine bay without breaking a sweat, the entire dashboard is identical to a Z4, the gear shifter and even the seats and their memory switches are by BMW.
Some argue that buyers are effectively paying for an over glorified BMW Z4, which curiously is built alongside the Supra in Austria by Magna Steyr.
However, it has been five years since the fifth-generation Supra was launched, and though there is still some glimmers of hate online in forums and comment sections, the Supra may just be starting to win some hearts.
The GR Supra is the second coming of the fifth-generation Supra, and while the first was available with a two and 3.0-litre straight-six engine, the GR is only available with the six pot engine but now offers a choice of manual or automatic transmission.
I recently drove the automatic version of the GR Supra, and I believe people should just get over the fact that it is a BMW in a Toyota suit. Because it is not just a suit, it is an MMA fighter in a sharp suit. For all you movie buffs, think of it as Jason Statham in the Transporter movies.
When I first drove the Supra some years ago, the design was not to my liking. It was too outlandish, and my mind kept thinking about the fourth-generation Supra and tried hard to find some connection between the two. There isn’t, and that led to some disappointment.
This time, I tried to forget that it was a Supra or a BMW underneath and approached it for what it is – a modern sports car. And it began to make sense.
The design, though unchanged, is still rather outlandish, but the Dawn Blue Metallic colour that you see here is just the right colour for the Supra’s curves. The blacked out 19-inch wheels suits the car as well, and are 1.2kg lighter at all four corners to reduce un-sprung weight, giving the GR Supra more ferocious acceleration than before. The car now sees off the 0-100kmh sprint in 4.1 seconds, which is faster than its German cousin.
The interior feels small and cramped, and taller drivers may find it difficult to get in and out of. But once inside, the sitting position is spot on, and you feel like your spine has been livewired to the car. That is something that I love, particularly the GT style driving position with the long front end.
But the interior is small, it does not have space to store something as simple as a smart tag. You could keep it in the glove compartment but that is quite a stretch away. Mix that up with storage for your phone and the cables to charge your devices, and suddenly the interior feels too cluttered. And that wreaks havoc for my OCD.
All that disappears as soon as you start the car and listen to the sweet melody of the 3.0-litre, inline six-cylinder turbocharged engine. It is a sound that is slowly being relegated to the ages of history, so I always allowed myself a minute or two to properly absorb it. You know, in case I wake up tomorrow to find that the Europeans have decided that anything more than four-cylinders are bad for their earth worms and have had no other choice but to introduce an overnight ban on new multi-cylindered engines.
The world is a weird place these days, so multi-cylindered engines are a great way of reconnecting with the good old days.
The engine creates 388PS and 500Nm of torque, which may not seem like much, but the joy is in the way the power is delivered. The steering wheel feels alive in your hands with tiny nuggets of information telling your palms exactly what is happening with the tyres at ground zero.
The suspension is also remarkably clinical, and the car reacts to every twitch of the steering wheel. However, your spine also picks up on all the tiny bumps, dips and ruts that litters our roads. You can say that that is the character of a sports suspension and I would agree with you, but when you’re a 40-year-old with a back problem, that is not a lot of fun.
Performance is, simply put, brilliant. It is not blinding or mind numbing, and the fact is some EV’s with their lightning quick sub-four second acceleration might put you to shame. But the car comes alive in the corners with its perfect 50:50 weight distribution. That means that you can dive late into corners and get on the power early without risking any under or oversteer. In the right hands and on the right roads, the GR Supra could put some supercars to shame. Particularly some fast EV’s like a Tesla Model 3 Performance.
And that is the point of the GR Supra. You may not like how it came about or how it looks like, but when it comes to driving it, the driving experience is still intoxicating, like that of the original Supra. Different of course but still intoxicating.
Having said that, just like the Supra’s of the past, the fifth-generation Supra is already proving its worth in motorsports around the world. In fact, it is not only racing, but it is also winning entire championships, and though haters may not like it, but the new GR Supra is definitely making its ancestors proud.
UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd (UMWT) mengakhiri April 2024 dengan prestasi positif yang berterusan, mencapai jumlah jualan bulanan sebanyak 7,345 unit (Toyota + Lexus), dengan Toyota menyumbang 7,213 unit dan Lexus menyumbang 132 unit. Pencapaian ini menjadikan jumlah jualan tahun sehingga kini pada April 2024 kepada 30,789 unit.
UMWT telah menetapkan standard baharu dalam pasaran hatchback segmen B bukan nasional dengan pelancaran Toyota Yaris G Limited edisi terhad. Direka khusus untuk pemandu Generasi Z, model ini menawarkan pengalaman pemanduan yang lebih sporty dan dinamik, dengan hanya 600 unit tersedia.
Sektor komersial menerima rangsangan dengan pengenalan Toyota Hiace Super Long Wheelbase (SLWB) serba baharu. Model ini menawarkan saiz yang meningkat dengan ketara, menyediakan ruang yang dipertingkatkan untuk penumpang dan kargo, menjadikannya sesuai untuk perjalanan jauh. Dikuasakan oleh enjin turbo-diesel 2.8 liter 1GD-FTV, ia menghasilkan 177PS pada 3,400 rpm dan 450Nm tork antara 1,600 hingga 2,400 rpm.
Dalam usaha meningkatkan perkhidmatan pelanggan, UMWT mengembangkan rangkaian pengedarnya dengan memperkenalkan Laser Motor 4S Sdn Bhd di Seremban. Kemudahan 3S baharu ini kini menawarkan Kemudahan Pusat Jualan & Perkhidmatan, yang menampilkan 10 ruang perkhidmatan untuk kemudahan pelanggan.
UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd (UMWT) concluded April 2024 with continued positive performance, achieving monthly total sales of 7,345 units (Toyota + Lexus), with Toyota contributing 7,213 units and Lexus contributing 132 units. This achievement brings the total year-to-date sales as of April 2024 to 30,789 units.
UMWT has set a new standard in the non-national B-segment hatchback market with the launch of the limited-edition Toyota Yaris G Limited. Designed specifically for Generation Z drivers, this model offers a sportier and more dynamic driving experience, with only 600 units available.
The commercial sector received a boost with the introduction of the all-new Toyota Hiace Super Long Wheelbase (SLWB). This model offers significantly increased size, providing enhanced space for passengers and cargo, making it ideal for long journeys. Powered by a 2.8-litre 1GD-FTV turbo-diesel engine, it delivers 177 PS at 3,400 rpm and 450 Nm of torque between 1,600 to 2,400 rpm.
Sebagai tindak balas kepada pendedahan terkini mengenai ketidaknormalan ujian keselamatan di Daihatsu Motor Co Ltd (DMC), anak syarikat Toyota, UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT), pemain utama dalam pasaran automotif Malaysia, menekankan komitmennya terhadap ketelusan dan tanggungjawab. Ketidaknormalan ujian keselamatan, seperti yang ditekankan oleh Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC), telah memberi impak kepada tiga model Toyota yang diedarkan oleh UMWT di Malaysia.
Datuk Ravindran K., Presiden UMW Toyota Motor, memberi jaminan kepada pelanggan dan orang ramai bahawa syarikat ini berazam untuk mengekalkan piawaian dan kualiti tertinggi dalam kenderaan-kenderaannya. Pernyataan ini menegaskan pendekatan proaktif UMWT dalam menangani situasi ini, bekerjasama rapat dengan pihak berkuasa kawal selia untuk memastikan penyelesaian yang pantas dan telus.
Komitmennya untuk memberikan kenderaan berkualiti tinggi kepada pasaran Malaysia tetap menjadi keutamaan utama UMWT. Syarikat ini mengakui kepentingan kepercayaan dan bertujuan untuk mengukuhkan keyakinan pelanggan terhadap produk-produknya. Kerjasama berterusan dengan pihak berkuasa kawal selia mencerminkan komitmen UMWT untuk mematuhi peraturan dan undang-undang yang relevan, memastikan pematuhan yang ketat terhadap semua kenderaan di Malaysia.
Datuk Ravindran K. lebih menekankan fokus syarikat terhadap kepuasan pelanggan, memberi jaminan kepada orang ramai bahawa usaha sedang dijalankan untuk membetulkan situasi ini dengan cepat dan telus. Dengan memberikan keutamaan kepada ketelusan dan tanggungjawab, UMW Toyota Motor bertujuan untuk menavigasi situasi mencabar ini sambil mengekalkan komitmennya untuk memberikan kenderaan yang boleh dipercayai dan selamat kepada pelanggan di Malaysia.
In response to recent revelations regarding safety test irregularities at Daihatsu Motor Co Ltd (DMC), a subsidiary of Toyota, UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT), a key player in the Malaysian automotive market, is emphasising its commitment to transparency and accountability. The safety test irregularity, as highlighted by Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC), has impacted three Toyota models distributed by UMWT in Malaysia.
Datuk Ravindran K., President of UMW Toyota Motor, assures customers and the public that the company is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards and quality in its vehicles. The statement underscores UMWT’s proactive approach to addressing the situation, collaborating closely with regulatory authorities to ensure a prompt and transparent resolution.
The commitment to delivering high-quality vehicles to the Malaysian market remains a top priority for UMWT. The company acknowledges the importance of trust and aims to reinforce customers’ confidence in its products. The ongoing cooperation with regulatory authorities reflects UMWT’s dedication to adhering to relevant regulations and rules, ensuring the strict compliance of all vehicles in Malaysia.
Datuk Ravindran K. further emphasises the company’s focus on customer satisfaction, assuring the public that efforts are underway to rectify the situation promptly and transparently. By prioritising openness and accountability, UMW Toyota Motor aims to navigate through this challenging situation while upholding its commitment to delivering reliable and safe vehicles to customers in Malaysia.
The Malaysian b-segment market is never short of drama. Manufacturers are consistently trying to outdo each other, but amidst all of that outdoing, it is the consumer that always wins. The segment consists of big names like the Honda City, Toyota Vios, Nissan Almera and even the Proton Persona.
But it is fair to say that the most popular are the City and the Vios. While Honda and Toyota are always outdoing each other, we are getting ever better cars.
The Vios is currently in its fourth-generation while the City has been around since the early 80s and is currently in its seventh generation. Over all that time, both have evolved to be mighty fine cars.
UMW Toyota Motors introduced the new Vios earlier this year to much fanfare. Sales have been brisk, but that’s unsurprising considering its popularity.
The City too is the other de facto go to model for those who want practicality and reliability. It is now bigger than ever, and with a recently introduced facelift, it may not be an all-new model like the Vios, but it has everything the Vios has and is arguably better to drive.
In terms of pricing, the Honda City RS petrol costs RM99,900 while the Toyota Vios is priced at RM95,500. However, Honda provides free labour up to five times within 100,00km or five years[NTSF(1] , while Toyota charges an additional RM3,220 for a five-year or 100,000km free service package. If you opt for the service package, that would bring the price of the Toyota close to the City.
So, which should you spend your money on? We dissect the two cars and bring you our opinion on which would be worth your money:
Engine:
Beginning with what matters most, both cars are powered by a 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated engine. The Honda has offers its i-VTEC technology to make accessible power, while Toyota has its D-VVTi.
However, the Vios is down on power as compared to the City. The Vios produces 106PS and 138Nm, while the City offers 121PS and 145Nm. The difference may not seem that much but this is felt the most during acceleration where the City feels more eager to get up to speed.
As far as efficiency goes, both cars have 40-litre fuel tanks and are capable of providing about 500km of range on a full tank.
Drive:
Again, both cars ride on identical suspension set ups, MacPherson struts up front and a torsion beam at the rear.
Both do excellent jobs at keeping occupants detached from the horrors of the roads underneath them. However, in terms of handling, the City feels more alive and is quicker to oblige every turn of the steering wheel. The steering feel of the Vios feels more muted and heavy. If you are into keen on more agile and responsive handling, you will appreciate the City.
In terms of braking, both also have the same set up – solid discs all around.
Design:
This is always subjective, but it is the Vios that has the freshest design between the two. The City has gone through several facelifts and now offers a bolder grille and sportier bumpers. However, the overall silhouette remains the same.
Toyota was keen to talk about the sportback design of the Vios when it was launched early this year. It adds character to the Toyota whose designs have always been safe and unadventurous (remember the dugong?).
But the sportback design comes at a price. Because the rear of the roofline drops dramatically into the a-pillar, this ultimately sacrifices headroom for rear passengers. Anyone above 180cm will be scrapping the top of his head against the roof liner. This ultimately results in the City having a more spacious interior.
Interior:
Building on the topic of interior spaciousness, the City does it better again. This time, the culprit is the centre console, where the gear lever and handbrake are placed.
The centre console of the Vios is simply too high as compared to the City. This results in narrower foot wells for the driver and front passenger, so you sit with your legs closer together than you would in the City. This may not affect shorter people, but if you’re tall, you may find that this limits legroom.
The taller shoulder line of the Vios also makes the windows smaller, especially at the rear. This means that there is not as much light that is fed back into the cabin, making it seem as if it were smaller than the City.
Both cars offer leather clad interiors while the seats in the Honda offer better padding, making them more comfortable, especially over longer distances.
There are no complaints about quality though as both have impressive interior builds.
Rear passengers will appreciate the fact that they have their own air-conditioning vents, as well as two USB ports.
Tech:
Both cars are also almost identical in terms of the tech and features they have to offer.
Inside, both come with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. For audiophiles, there are six speakers in the Vios and eight in the Honda. However, it is the Vios that has a bigger infotainment system, but at nine inches, it is only an inch bigger and not quite a deal breaker.
As for booth space, the Vios has a surprisingly smaller booth. At 470-litres, it is down on the Honda’s 519-litres. Before you begin to think that the difference is minuscule, that 49 litres makes the difference between space for a backpack or none.
Onto the safety front, where both cars are once again nearly identical. The City comes packed with Honda’s SENSING while the Vios features Toyota’s Safety Suite.
Both are essentially a collection of various systems that combine to enhance safety in all situations. Both offer Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keep Assist, Forward Collision Warning, Collision Mitigation Braking System, Adaptive Cruise Control, Auto High Beam and Lead Car Departure Notification System.
Building on that is the fact that both cars are also evenly matched when it comes to active safety systems as both have six airbags, vehicle stability assist, ABS, electronic brakeforce distribution, brake assist and more.
Conclusion:
The fact that both cars are so evenly matched makes it difficult to choose one or another. At this point, it is just a matter of branding, which brand are you fonder of? But if there is one thing that truly makes a difference, it is interior space.
Hoping from the Vios into the City, the difference is jarring. The interior of the City feels a lot more bigger than the Vios and the seats are more comfortable as well. That point alone would have done it for us, but the City also runs on smaller 16-inch wheels as compared to the 17-inch wheels on the Vios.
A quick check online revealed that cheapest 16-inch tyre from Goodyear costs RM262 per piece, while 17-inch tyres cost RM351. Assuming you will need to change all four tyres, the tyres for the Honda will cost you RM1,048 while the Vios will set you back RM1,404. The savings of RM356 will give you about four full tanks of petrol.
But that aside, the interior spaciousness, comfort, and the fact that it has a bigger booth makes the Honda City our choice between the two.
UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) has officially unveiled the much-anticipated all-new Toyota Alphard and Vellfire models, setting a new benchmark for advanced features and providing a sophisticated and technologically advanced travel experience.
The Toyota Alphard and Vellfire have raised the bar in the competitive MPV segment by offering a plethora of cutting-edge features that distinguish them from the competition. From seamlessly integrated state-of-the-art technology to spacious and versatile interiors, these models redefine the driving experience. The introduction of turbocharging paired with a new gearbox has resulted in a significant boost in torque and power, promising an exhilarating and engaging performance for drivers.
Both models strike a perfect balance between efficiency and elegance. Advanced engineering, including the all-new 2.4L 16-valve DOHC with turbocharger and intercooler, ensures top-notch performance without compromising on luxury for the Alphard and makes 274hp and 430Nm of torque. The Toyota Vellfire, in particular, boasts enhanced performance output with the Front Performance Brace, improved handling, and impeccable stability. An existing 2.5-litre, four-cylinder 2AR-FE engine with 179hp and 235Nm of torque powers the Vellfire.
Stepping into the interior cabin of the Alphard and Vellfire is akin to experiencing a private jet. The combination of leather and woodgrain finishes, along with two fixed Panoramic Glass Roofs that flood the cabin with natural light, creates an atmosphere of opulence. The driver’s cockpit is thoughtfully designed for easy access to mechanical switches and controls. First-row passengers, both front and rear, can indulge in the comfort of Seat Heater and Ventilation features. The Alphard Executive Lounge takes luxury a step further, featuring an exclusive massage function in the rear first-row seats.
Equipped with advanced Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 technology, which includes enhanced Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Departure Alert, Road Sign Assist, and Adaptive High-beam System, safety remains a top priority without compromising the luxurious experience.
Both models are available in four exquisite colors: Platinum White Pearl, Precious Metal, Precious Leo-Blond (exclusive to the Alphard), and Black. To ensure peace of mind and freedom of mobility, the All-New Alphard and Vellfire come with a full 5-year warranty. UMWT serves as the exclusive distributor with official sales and service, offering trusted service and parts guarantees.
With over 74 Sales Service dealers nationwide, premium end-to-end servicing is assured, with dedicated body and paint centres also available. The Toyota Alphard 2.4T Executive Lounge is priced at RM 538,000 without insurance, while the Toyota Vellfire 2.5 is available at RM 438,000 without insurance.
UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) has unveiled the new Toyota MY app, a comprehensive platform available on iOS and Android devices. This innovative app consolidates the features of the Toyota Drive and Toyota 24Seven apps, presenting a user-friendly interface to redefine the customer experience and vehicle management.
The Toyota MY app seamlessly integrates functionalities from previous Toyota apps, offering users effortless access to crucial vehicle information, scheduling service appointments, viewing Loyal-T membership points, requesting 24Seven roadside assistance, locating nearby Toyota outlets, and much more. This integration simplifies vehicle management, elevating the ownership experience and reflecting Toyota’s commitment to a hassle-free and efficient ownership journey.
UMW Toyota Motor experienced continued growth in August 2023, reporting a total monthly sales figure of 10,275 units for both Toyota and Lexus models. This includes 10,033 units sold under the Toyota brand and 242 units under the Lexus brand. This performance marks a notable increase from the total monthly sales of 8,349 units recorded in July 2023.
Furthermore, when considering the cumulative sales for the year up to August 2023, the total now stands at 67,283 units, in contrast to 61,639 units for the same period in the previous year. This demonstrates a substantial year-on-year growth of 9.2% in year-to-date sales for the first eight months of 2023. Additionally, the monthly sales achieved in August 2023 exhibited a 13% increase compared to the same month in the previous year.
