UMWT aims to end year on a high, driven by new Corolla Cross Hybrid

KUALA LUMPUR: UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd (UMWT) hopes to finish the year on a high by introducing a new hybrid electric vehicle (EV) and strengthening its position in the domestic market.

It is finalising the launch of the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid, its first locally-assembled hybrid EV.

The new Corolla Cross Hybrid is one of the models that has undergone pre-production activities at UMWT’s assembly plant in Bukit Raja, Selangor.

UMWT deputy chairman Akio Takeyama said response to the Corolla Cross Hybrid from Malaysians had been good since bookings were opened.

“Many Malaysians are keen to switch to hybrid EVs. Toyota has been producing hybrid EVs since the late 1990s and has constantly improved and advanced the technology,” he said in a statement yesterday.

He added many quality processes must be completed to ensure that the cars delivered would be of the highest standard in every respect.

The Corolla Cross Hybrid has an estimated price of RM137,000 (without insurance) and comes with a five-year unlimited mileage factory warranty.

Additionally, a separate eightyear unlimited mileage warranty covers the hybrid battery pack, inverter and power management control unit.

Customers can also extend the warranty for a further two years to make it a total of 10 years, the first such warranty in the local industry.

Bookings can be made at any authorised Toyota dealership or UMWT branch showroom nationwide.

Meanwhile, UMWT recorded a total sales of 8,486 units last month, comprising 6,620 passenger cars and 1,866 commercial

vehicles, including pick-up trucks.

UMWT president Ravindran K. said demand for Toyota and Lexus vehicles remained strong.

From January to last month, sales of Toyota and Lexus vehicles increased by 26 per cent to 63,105 units from 50,074 recorded in the same period a year ago.

Among the passenger cars, Vios continued to be the Toyota’s best-selling model, accounting for 33 per cent of total sales, while the Hilux continued to be the favourite pick-up truck in Malaysia.

Ravindran said UMWT would also offer great deals with the “Now Is The Time” promotion, where customers could save up to RM5,500 on selected models this month.

He said the ongoing sales tax exemption until June next year would also translate into additional savings.