UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) is informing customers that there are no planned increases in prices of Toyota CKD (locally-assembled) models at this time. The company is probably making this statement in view of the speculation of prices going up as Honda Malaysia recently announced increases for some of its models.
While it was reported earlier that there will be no price increases for CKD models, this only refers to any effect from the transparent methodology of reporting the Open Market Value (OMV). The Finance Ministry gave assurance that if any CKD model was affected by increased prices as a result of the calculations, the amount of increase would be fully absorbed/exempted by the Finance Ministry during 2020.
Nevertheless, as we also pointed out in the earlier report, it does not mean that prices will not change at all in 2020 due to other factors. Ravindran K, President of UMWT, said that factors such as exchange rates and tax revisions can affect prices. “As far as possible, the company has always tried to maintain price stability by absorbing the increases as much as we can,” he added.
The Yaris, priced from RM70.888, is currently the lowest-priced CKD Toyota model and its price remains unchanged.
The CKD models in UMWT’s current line-up are the Toyota Yaris, Toyota Vios, Toyota Rush, Toyota Hilux, Toyota Fortuner, Toyota Innova and Toyota Hiace.
For the current prices of the various models, visit www.toyota.com.my or any authorised dealership and UMWT branch nationwide.
The upgraded 2020 Toyota Alphard and Toyota Vellfire models will be in Toyota showrooms in Malaysia soon and pre-launch orders are now being accepted. UMW Toyota Motor, the importer and distributor of the vehicles from Japan, is pricing the latest premium MPV models from RM383,000 for the Vellfire (one variant) and RM465,000 for the Alphard (two variants).
The latest Alphard and Vellfire have been upgraded with advanced systems being added in two areas – Safety and Connectivity. This is in line with UMWT’s 360-T New Brand Experience Strategy that emphasizes Safe-T and Connectivi-T.
The new or enhanced systems are Toyota Safety Sense (TSS), Parking Support Brake System, 9-inch AVX Infotainment System with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto-Ready Connectivity, Front & Rear Digital Video Recorder, Vehicle Telematics System (VTS), and a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System.
TSS is a suite of advanced systems that provide driver assistance to avoid accidents or reduce their severity if they occur. These include Pre-collision System, Lane Departure Alert, Lane Tracing Assist, and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control – All Speed. The latter is more advanced than normal cruise control systems as it can vary the cruising speed when necessary for safety.
With Parking Support Brake System added in the 2020 models, drivers have the support of an intelligent parking system to detect objects in the surrounding areas of the vehicle during the parking process. Should any object be detected, the brakes will be automatically applied and the engine power cut back so that collisions can be avoided. Even if a collision does occur, the early action of the system can reduce damage.
Alphard dashboardInterior of Vellfire
Besides the Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) that enables the driver to view all round the vehicle, the front and rear DVRs constantly record the views ahead and behind. Apart from recording the scenery on a holiday journey, in the event of an incident and dispute, the recordings would be useful evidence for the vehicle owner.
The Vehicle Telematics System (VTS) for the Vellfire and Alphard is a connectivity feature that uses GPS/GSM to track the location of the car at all times. This can aid recovery by the police if the vehicle is stolen. VTS can also monitor and record vehicle speeds and other operating conditions that the vehicle has been subjected to, with data sent by email to a designated user.
No design changes are mentioned to the two models for the new model year but there are 4 exterior colours to choose from – Luxury White Pearl CS GF (only for Alphard 3.5 Executive Lounge and Alphard 3.5L); Burning Black CS GF (only for Vellfire 2.5L); and White Pearl C, Graphite Metallic and Black (available for both Alphard and Vellfire).
Vellfire headlightsThe Alphard has a 3.5-litre V6 engine while the Vellfire uses a 2.5-litre engine.
As with all other models imported by UMWT, owners of the Vellfire and Alphard will enjoy a full factory warranty, with availability of genuine replacement parts when required. Aftersales support is also assured with personnel trained to service the models using the necessary special tools and equipment.
Customers can locate the nearest showroom by visiting toyota.com.my or calling the Toyota freephone line 1-800-8-TOYOTA (869682).
Ferrari has been awarded the title of the world’s strongest brand for the second consecutive year by Brand Finance, an international independent brand valuation and strategy consultancy. With a Brand Strength Index (BSI) score of 94.1 out of 100, the 80-year old Italian carmaker tops the rankings of only 12 brands to be awarded the highest AAA+ rating.
In the previous year, Ferrari claimed the title with a score of 94.8 out of 100 and an AAA+ rating as well.
The Brand Finance Global 500 2020 report calculates the value of the Ferrari brand at US$9.1 billion with year-on-year growth of 9%, boosted by positive sales and overall brand strength. The brand value is determined by estimating the net economic benefit to the brand owner of licensing the trademark on the open market. It measures brand strength on the basis of the efficacy of a brand’s performance on intangible measures compared to its competitors.
Most Admired Company – Toyota
Meanwhile, Toyota Motor Corporation was ranked as the top automaker in Fortune Magazine’s list of the ‘2020 World’s Most Admired Companies’. This is the sixth consecutive time that the Japanese carmaker has been received the recognition and it is only one of two carmakers in the top 100 rankings (the other being BMW).
Fortune’s ‘World’s Most Admired Companies’ list is widely acknowledged as the definitive report card on corporate reputation and is based on company surveys and industry peer ratings from over 3,700 senior executives, directors and industry analysts from around the world.
Toyota had the highest score in 8 criteria which the survey measured.
For each company, the survey measured 9 attributes considered critical to a company’s global success, including quality of products and services, social and environmental responsibility, global competitiveness, and value as an investment, among others.
Production of the previous generation of the Toyota Supra ended in 2002 and a follow-up generation did not appear till the launch of the GR Supra in 2019. Enthusiasts were naturally sad when Toyota had announced that Supra production would end, with no indication of whether it could be resumed.
All the units that were still on the road and still in good running condition were obviously cared for, with aftersales support continuing from Toyota dealers. Though it is not known how long Toyota continued to produce replacements parts for the earlier Supra models, some companies will do so for up to 10 years after last production of a model.
Well, it has been 17 years since the Supra (the A80 generation) was last produced so the carmaker would unlikely be making replacement parts. There would be other companies which may make certain parts but these would not be the same as Toyota Genuine Parts which have assured quality.
Replacement parts for past two generations
Now Toyota has announced that it will reproduce replacement parts for the Supra A70 generation (produced between 1986 and 1983) as well as the A80 generation (1993 – 2002). The parts will be produced as a GR Heritage Parts Project and will be sold in Japan and selected overseas markets. Perhaps the GR Garage which is located at some Toyota dealerships in Malaysia will also offer (or at least take orders) for such parts.
At this time, the list of parts available are as follow: A70 Supra – propeller shaft, door handle, fuel sender gauge, weather strip, front emblem
A80 Supra – headlamps, door handle, brake booster
Headlamps and propeller shafts are among the parts planned for reproduction.
Toyota wants to hear from you too
Retail sales were original scheduled to start in 2020 but Toyota says this may be postponed to 2021 due to manufacturing reasons. In the meantime, the carmaker also invites requests and suggestions for parts to be reproduced. A page on the Toyota GAZOO Racing website has a form to submit the requests (click here to go to the page).
Total production numbers for the two Supra generations are hard to come by but in as far as sales in North America were concerned, over 100,000 units of the A79 generation and around 12,000 units of the A80 generation were sold. The smaller number for the A80 Supra reflected the diminished interest in sportscars, especially coupes, during the 1990s as SUV popularity grew. This trend also influenced other carmakers to cease sportscar production as the numbers became economically unviable.
When ‘Toyota’ is mentioned, the first thing that comes to mind will be the motorcar. This is the product that the company has been making since the 1930s and is a global leader in the auto industry. However, motor vehicles are not Toyota’s only business (in fact, textile looms feature in its earliest history) and apart from many other types of products, Toyota has been involved in the housing business since the mid-1970s.
Initially, the company produced prefabricated houses that could be easily constructed using a variety of different building techniques. It then expanded its business to include condominiums and rental housing. Today, the Toyota Housing Corporation is a successful subsidiary of the world’s No. 1 automaker. Employing lean manufacturing concepts and strategies from The Toyota Production System, the construction techniques meet high quality and efficiency standards.
Toyota has been offering prefabricated houses since the mid-1970s. These are two of many designs that customers can choose from.
From offering individual houses, Toyota now plans to make a giant leap to the next level as it has revealed plans to build a prototype “city” of the future. Announced at CES 2020 in Las Vegas, the Woven City, as it is called, will be located on a 175-acre site at the base of Mt. Fuji in Japan. The ground-breaking for the site is planned for early 2021.
Envisioned as a ‘living laboratory’, the Woven City will serve as a home to full-time residents and researchers who will be able to test and develop technologies such as autonomy, robotics, personal mobility, smart homes and artificial intelligence in a real-world environment.
“Building a complete city from the ground up, even on a small scale like this, is a unique opportunity to develop future technologies, including a digital operating system for the city’s infrastructure. With people, buildings and vehicles all connected and communicating with each other through data and sensors, we will be able to test connected AI technology… in both the virtual and the physical realms… maximizing its potential,” said Akio Toyoda, President, Toyota Motor Corporation.
Toyota will extend an open invitation to collaborate with other commercial and academic partners and invite interested scientists and researchers from around the world to come work on their own projects in this one-of-a-kind, real-world incubator.
“We welcome all those inspired to improve the way we live in the future, to take advantage of this unique research ecosystem and join us in our quest to create an ever-better way of life and mobility for all,” said the Toyota President.
For the design of Woven City, Toyota has commissioned the Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG). Danish architect Bjarke Ingels and his team at BIG have designed many high-profile projects such as 2 World Trade Centre in New York and Lego House in Denmark. The firm was also responsible for the design of Google’s Mountain View and London headquarters.
“A swarm of different technologies are beginning to radically change how we inhabit and navigate our cities. Connected, autonomous, emission-free and shared mobility solutions are bound to unleash a world of opportunities for new forms of urban life. With the breadth of technologies and industries that we have been able to access and collaborate with from the Toyota ecosystem of companies, we believe we have a unique opportunity to explore new forms of urbanity with the Woven City that could pave new paths for other cities to explore,” said Ingels.
Design of the city
The masterplan of the city includes the designations for street usage into 3 types: for faster vehicles only; for a mix of lower speed, personal mobility and pedestrians; and for a park-like promenade for pedestrians only. These 3 street types weave together to form an organic grid pattern to help accelerate the testing of autonomy.
The city is planned to be fully sustainable, with buildings made mostly of wood to minimize the carbon footprint, using traditional Japanese wood joinery, combined with robotic production methods. The rooftops will be covered in photo-voltaic panels to generate solar power in addition to power generated by hydrogen fuel cells. Toyota plans to weave in the outdoors throughout the city, with native vegetation and hydroponics.
Residences will be equipped with the latest in human support technologies, such as in-home robotics to assist with daily living. The homes will use sensor-based AI to check occupants’ health, take care of basic needs and enhance daily life, creating an opportunity to deploy connected technology with integrity and trust, securely and positively.
To move residents through the city, only fully-autonomous, zero-emission vehicles will be allowed on the main thoroughfares. In and throughout Woven City, autonomous Toyota e-Palettes will be used for transportation and deliveries, as well as for changeable mobile retail.
Both neighbourhood parks and a large central park for recreation, as well as a central plaza for social gatherings, are designed to bring the community together. Toyota believes that encouraging human connection will be an equally important aspect of this experience.
Toyota plans to populate Woven City with Toyota Motor Corporation employees and their families, retired couples, retailers, visiting scientists, and industry partners. The plan is for 2,000 people to start, adding more as the project evolves.
In 2012, Toyota also created the ‘Ecoful Town’ in Toyota City as a test project for a Low Carbon Society System.
Looks like the folks from Toyota Gazoo Racing Festival’s Toyota Vios Challenge are still pumped up with racing passion as they will be taking part in the Sepang 1000km Endurance Race (S1K) this weekend at the glorious Sepang International Circuit. (more…)
The recent Toyota Outrun fun run event organised by UMW Toyota Motor saw over 3,000 people taking part at Bandar Rimbayu, Kota Kemuning, Selangor yesterday morning. The charity event successfully raised a total of RM151,100 collected from the participants’ registration fees were donated to the Paralympic Council of Malaysia. (more…)
Since 2001, UMW Toyota Motor Sdn. Bhd. (UMWT) and the Malaysian Ministry of Education have been jointly organizing the Toyota Eco Youth (TEY) Programme to educate Malaysian youth on the importance of conserving the environment and also inspire them to act responsibly towards the environment, ensuring a sustainable future.
The programme, one of UMWT’s annual Corporate Social Responsibility activities, aims to cultivate environmental awareness and instill good environmental habit in young Malaysians as they are the future caretaker of the environment.
“Our corporate social responsibility is to help educate and instill love and care for the environment in the nation’s youth.”
Ravindran K., President of UMW Toyota Motor
In its 19th edition this year, TEY carries the theme ‘Be the Superhero to Save the World’. It incorporates elements from the Toyota Environmental Challenge 2050, a global initiative by Toyota Motor Corporation which aimed at going beyond zero environmental impact.
“Our business is not just confined to make ever better products that are safe and environmentally friendly. We also see it as our corporate social responsibility to help educate and instill love and care for the environment in the nation’s youth. One of the initiatives is the Toyota Eco Youth programme which have been running since 2001,” said Ravindran K., President of UMW Toyota Motor.
This year, 12 secondary schools from around Malaysia participated in the programme which began in August this year. Students and teachers from the schools attended a 3-day ‘boot to learn Toyota’s 8-Step Problem-Solving Methodology. This is an approach practiced by UMWT employees to solve various types of problems, including those involving the environment.
Each school received a RM2,000 grant to kick off their project. Drawing on what they had learnt, they had to go through a market validation phase where their ideas – in the form of a product or service – were implemented and tested with the community of choice, impacting the beneficiaries.
In the final phase, each team made their final presentation and pitched their ideas to a panel of judges comprising representatives from UMWT, the Ministry of Education and myHarapan. After reviewing each presentation carefully, the best submissions by 4 schools were announced with SMK Tamparuli from Sabah picked as the Champion.
For their impressive efforts, they received prizes ranging from RM10, 000 for the Champion; RM7, 000 for second prize; RM5, 000 for third prize and RM3, 000 for the fourth prize. There was also a consolation prize of RM1, 000 as well as other prizes of RM500 each for the best video presentation and best-supporting teacher.
To date, UMWT has spent almost RM7 million on the TEY programme which has seen participation of 258 schools and 2,000 students. Commenting on the achievement of the TEY, Mr. Ravindran said it is clear that continuation of the programme can help in environment-related issues that affect not just today’s generation but also those in the future.
“We will certainly continue to run the TEY annually and as we gain feedback and experience each year, the programme will evolve accordingly so that it addresses appropriate issues,” he said.
Visit www.toyota.com.my to read more about UMW Toyota Motor’s other CSR activities.
Toyota Gazoo Racing (GR) has announced their plans to start sales on the pumped-up Toyota GR Supra GT4, a race machine for interested customer teams beginning March 2020 in Europe. This 430hp A90 Supra is will also go up for sale in Japan and other Asian countries next October for the ultimate racing nirvana. (more…)
The SEMA Show 2019 (Specialty Equipment Market Association) is just around the corner and loads things are expected to blow things out of the water with some amazing vehicles. One particular ‘concept’ that’s everyone has been raving about for the past couple of days is the Toyota GR Supra 3000GT Concept. (more…)
