Authorised Toyota dealerships are now accepting bookings for an updated Toyota Harrier which will soon be launched in Malaysia by UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT). The current generation has been in the market since February 2021 and now gets an improved look and feel.
The new Harrier, with a Dynamic Force 2-litre engine, will be available in Luxury and Special Edition versions and a choice of 5 exterior colours – Slate Grey Metallic, Precious Black, Steel Blonde Metallic, Dark Blue Metallic and Platinum White Pearl – with the Special Edition having an exclusive Metallic Red finish. The on-the-road price without insurance will be from RM274,000.
The Toyota Eco Youth (TEY) programme in Malaysia has been one of the most enduring programs, having been run without fail each year from 2001. Organized annually by UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) in collaboration with the Malaysian Ministry of Education, the TEY programme has created among Malaysian youth awareness of the importance of preserving the environment and cultivating good habits to achieve that goal.
Theme for 2022 This year, it will have the theme of ‘Championing Mobility’ which ties in with Toyota’s ongoing commitment towards paving the way forward as a mobility company that supports the creation of more independent, safe, and eco-friendly mobility solutions.
As supply improves, the car companies are able to deliver more vehicles to waiting customers and many have seen significant increases each month. These include UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT), which reported a total of 9,091 units comprising 8,961 units of Toyota vehicles and 130 units of Lexus vehicles. The total volume was 37% higher than what was achieved in July (6,637 units).
Cumulative deliveries for the first 8 months of the year reached 61,639 units (Toyota and Lexus combined), 62% higher than for the same period in 2021 when the cumulative volume was 38,085 units.
The company is looking forward to even better numbers in coming months as it will soon launch the new Toyota Veloz MPV. Since bookings opened in June, some 5,200 orders have been collected for the 7-seater MPV which will take over from the Avanza.
For the past 4 years, Muhammad Iqbal Suji has been in pursuit of a title – champion of the Toyota GR Velocity Esports Championship. And this year, he finally got it as he powered to an emotional race victory in the finale of Season 5 of the championship held at the 1Utama Shopping Mall in Selangor.
Racing in front of a live audience at the venue as well as online ,the 24-year-old from Selangor clinched the Grand Prize of RM20,000 cash to beat 9 other finalists in a series of 3 races in the closely-fought final races.
“Toyota’s on-track and online racing activities are about empowering the dreams of individuals – propelling them to excel. The organizing of the Toyota GR Velocity Esports Championship gives those who excel online an ideal platform to further develop and unleash their fullest potential with some even transitioning into real racing,” said UMW Toyota Motor President, Ravindran K, adding that Toyota’s combination of physical and online racing since 2018 has given the company the opportunity to contribute immensely to greater promoting Malaysian motorsports.
Top 3 to represent Malaysia Muhammad Iqbal will now have to put aside friendly rivalry to lead a 3-man Malaysian team consisting of Muhammad Uzair and Taj Izrin Aiman Taj Madira who finished second and third, respectively. This team will compete to the regional finals of the Toyota GAZOO Racing GT Cup organized by Toyota Motor Asia Pacific to be held on October 2.
This also gives Team Malaysia the chance of going on to represent Asia in the Global ESports finals to be held in Monaco on November 25.
Members of the public also had a chance to experience sim racing and try to beat a target lap time.
“Winning the event made me recall all the emotions and frustrations of not getting the position that I felt I deserved over the last few years and now that I finally have, it feels great and steaming hot!” said Muhammad Iqbal.
The final showdown The 20 racers who took part in the Grand Finale had come up from an initial group of more than 500 contestants who had participated in a gruelling qualifying round held between July 9 and 17. The 3-race final showdown began with a 15-minute sprint Race 1 at Brazil’s 4.309-km Autodromo Interlagos which saw 2-time defending champion Taj Izrin Aiman winning and taking an early lead in the overall point standings. In second place was Muhammad Iqbal while finishing third was Muhammad Uzair.
In Race 2, which was also held at Interlagos and also with the 591 bhp Toyota GR Supra Racing Concept, the 30-minute session was decided in the last very last lap with 29-year-old Muhammad Uzair keeping his cool until the penultimate moments of the race to get ahead of race leader Dhanesh Wigneswaran. That race however, proved disastrous for Taj Izrin Aiman who ran as high as fourth position before finishing seventh.
The races were also broadcast live with two commentators reporting on the action.
“I really expected Muhammad Iqbal and Taj Izrin Aiman to be ahead. I just tried all out without thinking too much,” said Uzair who made the most of traffic on the track to inch his way ahead of the field. That victory had momentarily placed him in the lead of the overall point standings with one final race to complete.
Race 3 proved to be the hardest fought 40-minutes with racers getting behind the wheel of a 1,000 bhp Toyota TS050 Hybrid around the 7.004-km Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium. In the end, it was Muhammad Iqbal who drove to a classy and composed race victory, finishing 8 seconds ahead of his nearest competitor on the track, Taj Izrin Aiman, and Muhammad Uzair in third.
Muhammad Iqbal Suji on his way to victory in the final race.
“In Race 3, I made a critical mistake and I overshot the first corner. That disrupted the momentum for my race. I’ve driven my best, and I would like to thank UMW Toyota Motor for continuing to organize the ESports championship and congratulate Muhammad Iqbal who drove to a remarkable championship victory,” said Taj Izrin Aiman.
Drivers and celebrities competing in the Toyota GAZOO Racing Vios Challenge race series, members of the media, invited gamers, and young drivers in the Vios Challenge rookie class, also took part in 4 exhibition races.
The celebrity race was won by actor Zizan Razak, followed by presenter Nabil Ahmad and another actor Shukri Yahaya, who coincidentally also happen to be the top three contenders in the Promotional Class of the Toyota GAZOO Racing Vios Challenge racing series.
Besides the successful and popular Toyota Vios Challenge one-make series, UMW Toyota Motor has also been running another motorsport series – in the virtual world. This is the Toyota GR Velocity E-sports Championship which is in its fifth year in 2022. The most lucrative local online racing series in the country offering cash prizes, it is also the first and only E-sports motorsports-racing event promoted by a Malaysia car company.
First held in 2018, the number of participants in the Toyota GR Velocity Esports Championship has grown exponentially, with the event drawing more than 1 million online spectators per season. “2022 marks the fifth season of not only the Toyota GR Velocity Esports Championship, but also the Toyota GAZOO Racing Vios Challenge race series. It used to be that virtual racing and real racing are two very different entities, but we are honoured to have witnessed first-hand how both disciplines are contributing immensely towards producing Malaysia’s next generation of competitive racing drivers,” said UMW Toyota Motor President, Ravindran K.
He noted that the company has successfully pioneered the transition of 4 young simulator drivers into saloon car racing over the last 2 years. One of those drivers is Nabil Azlan, who finished third in last year’s GR Velocity Esports Championship and is today not only competing in saloon car racing but is also one of the championship frontrunners in the Rookie Class of the Vios Challenge race series.
Fighting for RM70,000 price purse
This weekend will see the final showdown of the season at the 1Utama Shopping Mall in Petaling Jaya, Selangor. With 11 races in 4 distinctive racing cars. this year’s winner will emerge from the 20 best online racers competing against each other for a total prize pool of RM70,000 and a ticket to represent Malaysia on the international arena.
The 20 racers have come up from an initial group of more than 500 contestants who had participated in a gruelling qualifying round held between July 9 and 17. This weekend’s Grand Finale will see 2 rounds of semi-final races being held to decide the top 10 drivers for the final.
The semi-finals will see racers battling it out on two circuits: the 4.265-km Brands Hatch and 3.8-km Goodwood circuits in the United Kingdom. The racers will drive the Toyota SFR Racing concept and a Toyota 86 Group B rally car, respectively.
For the final races, the battle will take place on Brazil’s 4.309-km Autodromo Interlagos behind the wheel of a 591 bhp Toyota GR Supra Racing Concept, and also a 1,000 bhp Toyota TS050 Hybrid at the 7.004-km Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium.
Past winners return
Among the favourites returning this weekend are 2-time defending champion Taj Izrin Aiman Taj Madira, and the 2020 runner-up and third place winners Muhammad Iqbal Ahmad Suji and Mior Hafiz, as well as 2018 winner Muhammad Uzair. All 4 racers have had the opportunity to go on to the Regional Finals and will be hoping that 2022 will be the year which sees the first Malaysian driver going on to represent Asia in the Global Finals.
Exhibition races
There will also be 4 exhibition races during the weekend event, involving drivers and celebrities competing in the Toyota GAZOO Racing Vios Challenge. Members of the media, invited gamers and young drivers in the Vios Challenge rookie class will also be invited to join in.
The celebrity line-up includes actors Zizan Razak and Shukri Yahaya; television hosts Nabil Ahmad, Ain Edruce and Ahirine Ahirudin; and singers Khai Bahar, Wany Hasrita and Nabila Razali. The Vios Challenge rookies will be 4 young drivers – Adele Liew, Nabil Azlan, Sharique Zulqarnain and Muizz Musyaffa.
Besides watching the event live at 1Utama, the races will also be broadcast live on Astro’s eGG Channel, as well as the Toyota GAZOO Racing Malaysia Facebook and YouTube pages.
UMW Toyota Motor has been having a good year so far, with sales headed upwards each month. And after 6 months, the cumulative volume for Toyota and Lexus vehicles delivered nationwide has reached 45,911 units. That’s an impressive 35% increase over the 34,111 units delivered during the same period in 2021.
Strong sales were evident almost every month, in spite of the supply issues that affect many car companies. June alone contributed 8,939 units (of which 69 units were of the Lexus brand), which was almost 1,500 units more than the May volume.
With the end of the sales tax exemption, UMWT is expecting some negative impact although it is not likely to last long. This is mitigated with some early signs of recovery on the global shortage of semiconductors and microchips in the second half of this year. This will enable production to ramp up and will allow the company to introduce further new models.
“Shifting gears into the second half of 2022, UMW Toyota Motor is focused on going the ‘ExtraMile’ to provide Toyota owners with the best ownership and after-sales experience by reimagining what ownership is about. Looking ahead, shifting consumer behaviour will likely place value on advanced automotive technologies and comprehensive security features supported by a host of value-added aftersales services,” said Ravindran K, President of UMW Toyota Motor.
“At UMW Toyota Motor, we offer owners not only the best technological advancement at their fingertips for a smoother and safer drive, we go the ExtraMile to enhance their ownership journey. Through financial and insurance packages, top-notch servicing and Toyota 24/7 roadside assist, we are confident in delivering an unforgettable journey from the starting line by taking great care of our customers from the moment they enter our doors,” he explained.
Toyota Veloz coming soon (Thai version shown).
New Veloz coming soon
The company is looking forward to launching the all-new Toyota Veloz which is a premium crossover model. The 7-seater was launched in Indonesia last November and has been well received. Depending on the market, the Veloz is considered as a new model line or as a successor to the Avanza. In Malaysia, UMWT says it will replace the Avanza and comes with the highest specification and advanced features.
The model will have a 1.5-litre DVVT engine and have an estimated price of RM95,000 (without insurance). Bookings are now accepted prior to the launch and from what we hear, there’s a lot of interest, especially with its promise of good fuel efficiency, safety and extensive list of features.
July looks like a ‘MPV month’ with at least three new MPVs to be launched in the month or if not, early in the next month. We already know that the updated Nissan Serena S-HYBRID will be launched in early July and with Perodua having opened bookings for its all-new Alza from yesterday, it is likely to be in showrooms by the end of July (going by the usual time-frame).
And today, UMW Toyota Motor has announced that it is accepting orders for the all-new Toyota Veloz, the 7-seater MPV launched in Indonesia last November. Depending on the market, the Veloz is considered as a new model line or as a successor to the Avanza. In Malaysia, UMWT says it will replace the Avanza and comes with the highest specification and advanced features. The estimated price is given as RM95,000, without insurance.
Note: All images shown on this page are of the versions sold in Thailand and Indonesia. The Veloz assembled in Malaysia may have differences in colours and features.
The Veloz is considered more as a crossover with a SUV character but also having the spaciousness of a MPV – the best of both worlds. Like the Toyota Rush, it will be assembled locally at the Perodua plant, which makes sense since the new Alza is also having the same platform as the Veloz. It’s not known how many variants there are although the option of a two-tone colour scheme with a black roof suggests that there may be a high-end version.
With an entirely new style and a larger body size, the Veloz of generous interior space said to be comparable to a-segment MPV. The seating in the premium-class cabin is also flexible in layout, allowing more cargo or people to be carried. One reason for the increased spaciousness is that, unlike the Avanza, which had rear wheel drive, the Veloz has front-wheel drive
A 1.5-litre Toyota 2NR-VE petrol 4-cylinder engine powers the Veloz and this is coupled with a 7-speed CVT, so fuel efficiency should be pretty good. The CVT also offers sequential shifting for those who prefer to be in control of the gears in use.
As with many of the models sold by UMWT, the Veloz will come with Toyota Safety Sense technology. This is a suite of active safety systems that will help the driver be alerted of potential accidents and even act if he or she doesn’t respond in the correct way (eg with Automatic Emergency Braking).
A convenient feature is the Electric Parking Brake (EPB) which replaces the long and traditional handle that has operated the mechanical brake for decades. With the EPB, very little effort is needed; in fact, just a slight pull with a fingertip on the small tab will activate the brake. The Veloz will also come with a wireless charging pad (Qi standard) for compatible smartphones.
“We are extremely pleased to announce that the All-New Toyota Veloz will soon be launched in Malaysia. At UMW Toyota Motor, we are committed to go that extra mile for our Toyota customers and ensure that they experience only the best. With the SST exemption ending on June 30, 2022, commencing the order-taking for the All-New Toyota Veloz today is a token of appreciation to our customers for their support towards the Toyota brand and enabling them to drive the car of their dreams. We hope that Toyota fans and other potential buyers looking to purchase a car for their family will take the opportunity to do so and leverage on the SST exemption before it ends,” said President of UMW Toyota Motor, Ravindran. K.
UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) continues to maintain its position in the non-national category with 7,442 units of Toyota and Lexus vehicles sold in May. Added to the cumulative volume for the first 4 months, this brings the company’s total sales in 2022 to 36,972 units at the end of May.
With almost 37,000 units sold, the cumulative volume for the first 5 months of 2022 is 9% higher than for the same period in 2021 which was 34,026 units. This increase is despite the forecast that vehicle sales in Malaysia will be slow for the rest of the year due to shortage of completed vehicles.
While there was no issue of shortage of semiconductors last year to prevent carmakers from completing vehicles, this is the situation in 2022 is making it difficult to achieve higher outputs to meet demand.
The strong demand up till now has also been driven by the expectation that sales tax (or GST) will be resumed after the end of June 2022 (although there are now rumours that it could be extended again). This has persuaded many car-buyers to make their purchase before the end of June in order to enjoy the savings.
“As we rev up for the second half of this year, we at UMW Toyota are truly appreciative and emboldened by the support we have received from our customers. It has always been our policy to put our customers first and we are always ready to extend our assistance to the many Toyota fans as we journey out of these uncertain times. We are looking forward to continued confidence in our products and servicing capabilities, backed by our advanced automotive technology and comforted by the security features of all our products. Here’s to a more positive outlook forging ahead,” said Ravindran K, President of UMW Toyota Motor.
Continuing with the monthly promotions, UMWT has offers worth RM4,000 for those who want to become owners of the Yaris or Vios. There are also money-saving offers for other models in the form of cash rebates.
UMW Toyota has new models in the pipeline for the second half of the year so they are expecting a further increase in numbers.
The company is also looking forward to running the Toyota GAZOO Racing Festival on June 25/26 at the Sepang International Circuit. While the highlight of the event is the Vios Challenge one-make race, there are also other activities for all the family. Entry is free during the two days but the public should observe social distancing and wear facemasks to protect themselves as well as others around them. Click here to read more about the upcoming Toyota GAZOO Racing Festival.
Last year, UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) started the year with the aim of regaining the top position in the non-national segment and it successfully achieved that objective. The momentum has continued into 2022 as the company held the top position in the first quarter of the year. Entering the second quarter, UMWT expects to push further ahead and has started off with deliveries of 6,946 vehicles (of which 78 units were from the Lexus brand).
Cumulative sales after the first 4 months of the year have reached 29,393 units (Toyota + Lexus), an increase of 11% compared to the volume over the same period in 2021.
With a more optimistic mood brought on by the lifting of many restrictions of the pandemic period, as well as the onset of the Hari Raya Aidilfitri festivities, many people were inclined to consider a new vehicle. In conjunction with the festive period, UMWT had its ‘Bersama Lebih Makna’ Raya promotion which offers benefits worth RM4,000 to those buying a new Vios or Yaris.
Both models, assembled locally as the fairly new second assembly plant in Selangor, have seen growing popularity as they are good value for money. The image of the Vios has also become sportier with the intensive promotion of the Vios Challenge one-make series over the past few years. Each round has been broadcast live, bringing the races right to homes around Malaysia and even outside the country.
Vios Challenge one-make series, in its fifth season this year, has added a sporty image to the popular sedan.
“It is heartening to note that we have transitioned well into the endemic phase, and we at UMW Toyota Motor are always encouraged by the support from our customers, especially during this busy Ramadan and Raya period. Even with the surprise announcement of Aidilfitri falling a day earlier than expected, all our service centres were fully prepared to assist our customers in their ‘balik kampung’ journey. We continue to be committed to leaving no one behind and offer value-for-money innovations, coupled with advanced technology and security features in all of our products,” said Ravindran K, President of UMW Toyota Motor.
‘Bersama Lebih Makna’ Raya
With Ramadan and Syawal being the prominent events of this month, UMWT presented a special film entitled ‘Kota Raya’ on various several social media platforms. Inspired by family ties and the importance of being together, the film focuses on the deep-rooted tradition of celebrating together, something which was greatly missed over the past two years due to travel restrictions.
Besides the film, UMWT also reached out to those less fortunate in a collaboration with Harian Metro through their ‘Titipan Kasih’ programme. With the aim of providing assistance to the underprivileged, this outreach by the company saw 50 children receive ‘baju raya’ worth RM150. Additionally, a ‘Kotak Rezeki’ consisting of groceries valued at RM100 was presented to 168 families. 50 children also received RM60 each as ‘duit raya’.
Volunteers from UMWT also carried out other outreach activities to assist the less fortunate during this recovery period and at the same time, establishing a relationship with the surrounding community.
“The focus of this activity was for us to share the festive celebration with the less fortunate, as it is more meaningful if we celebrate it together. Furthering our ‘Bersama Lebih Bermakna’ Raya, we wanted to reach out to all those underprivileged, especially the orphans, and single-parent families. We also wanted to inspire and instill a strong spirit of volunteerism, along with community service among our employees as a way to bring our brand closer to the community,” Mr. Ravindran said.
Toyota showrooms nationwide will also have ‘Toyota Raya Open House Weekender’ events on May 21/22. This event aims to reconnect with Toyota customers, both past, present and future, while celebrating Hari Raya together. At the events, there will also be special deals and promotions and those who take test-drives will receive gifts (while stocks last) in appreciation of their interest.
Visit www.toyota.com.my to know more about Toyota products and services and the locations of showrooms.
UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) had a significant jump of 32% in its March sales volume with 8,487 units reported, compared to 6,432 units the month before. The improvement in sales is attributed to promotions during the month which offered value-added benefits worth RM4,000 for popular models such as the Vios and Yaris.
Although conditions were challenging with the floods in Selangor causing some parts suppliers to temporarily stop operations, UMWT’s first quarter cumulative sales volume total of 22,447 units was 31% greater than for the same period in 2021 when 17,151 vehicles were sold.
The positive trend is expected to continue through the second quarter, with a boost expected when new and improved models make their appearance later in the year
Circumventing the global challenges on parts supply shortage, Ravindran K., President of UMW Toyota Motor, said: “We are constantly reviewing and adapting to the changing circumstances and uncertainties. Toyota has always been known for our proficiency in supply chain management and risk mitigation measures. Leveraging on these experiences, we are working closely with our suppliers and monitoring the developments closely to ensure minimal impact to our production and our customers.”
“As Malaysia transitions towards the endemic phase, UMW Toyota Motor is appreciative of the support we have received from our customers throughout these unprecedented times. We remain committed towards achieving continuous growth for the Toyota brand as well as for the local automotive industry through our cutting-edge innovative product and solution offerings. As we transform towards sustainable mobility, Toyota aims to leave no one behind as we continue to be at the forefront in offering value for money innovations equipped with technological advancements and state-of-the-art safety features across all our products,” he added.
Promotions for Hari Raya festive season
Until May 1, 2022, UMWT will be running the ‘Pandu Uji dan Menang Duit Raya’ contest at showrooms nationwide. During this period, those who test drive any Toyota model could collect ‘duit raya’. Each test drive will entitle the customer to a contest entry to win ‘duit raya’ worth RM100. Those who take the test drive and complete a vehicle purchase can win RM200 ‘duit raya’. A total of 30 winners will be selected every week.
In addition, all Toyota showrooms will continue their ‘Bersama Lebih Bermakna’ celebrations with the Ramadan Weekender on April 16 and 17. Customers can visit the showrooms to find out more about ‘Bulan Puasa’ deals and value-added offers as well as receive exclusive gifts (while stocks last) when they test drive any of the Toyota vehicles available.
New 3S centre in Cyberjaya
Toyota owners in Cyberjaya now have an authorised service centre close to them. Operated by Otomobil Sejahtera Sdn Bhd, the new facility is a 3S centre offering sales, service and spare parts as well as Body and Paint services for repairs or repainting vehicles.
“From the point of purchase, to aftersales service, and on to their next repurchase, it is important that customers feel the Toyota touch at every step. This new 3S service centre is just our way of bringing our brand closer to our customers, wherever they may be, while ensuring they have seamless access to our services whenever they need them,” Mr. Ravindran said.
For more information about Toyota vehicles or to locate an authorised dealership in Malaysia, visit www.toyota.com.my.
