Toyota mulls export of subcompact sedan
TOKYO— Toyota Motor Corp. is launching the Belta, a new subcompact sedan, next month and is also considering exporting the car, the auto maker says.
Belta, which means beauty in Italian, is the smallest sedan for Japan’s Number 1 auto maker and comes in two- and fourwheeldrive models, Toyota said yesterday. The company has set a monthly sales target of 3,000 units. Toyota president Katsuaki Watanabe told reporters the company is considering exporting the Belta as global consumers are becoming more conscious of environmentally friendly and fuel- efficient cars.
Toyota, which sells about four of every 10 vehicles in Japan, is selling the Belta in Japan at about the same price as Honda Motor Co.’ s Fit Aria, starting at the equivalent of about $ 13,500 ( Canadian). The car comes with either a 1or 1.3- litre engine.
Toyota, based in central Japan’s Aichi Prefecture, has released eight new or fully redesigned models in Japan so far this year and is aiming to increase domestic market share to 45 per cent.
Toyota also plans to make vehicles at Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd.’ s factory in Lafayette, Ind., which would raise Toyota’s North American capacity 6 per cent, said officials familiar with the plan. Toyota may build between 100,000 and 120,000 Camry sedans or Highlander sports- utility vehicles annually in Lafayette starting in 2007. The Toyota and Fuji presidents are to discuss the proposal next week, officials of both companies said.