IMV part IIIPublished: 15/07/2011 at 12:00 AM
Bangkok Post: Newspaper section: Life If you take product norm into consideration, you would've known this was due because the Fortuner and Hilux Vigo are now seven years old, their last mid-life update coming in 2008.
- Wasn't it supposed to be all-new? So the update here is the second facelift for the entire range _ SUV, single, extra and double cabs _ officially launched this week in Thailand. The exterior changes include new bumpers, lights, front grille and bonnet design.
Inside, Toyota has tried to make the fascia look more luxurious, especially in the Fortuner and double-cab which are treated like passenger cars by most customers.
- Are there any technical changes?Nope, the engine and transmission range is carried over including the 2.5- and 3.0-litre diesel-turbos, plus the 2.7-litre petrol variation for the Fortuner. However, Toyota claims than their fuel injection systems are now more efficient.
Although the Europeans have been getting the 171hp/360Nm and five-speed automatic treatment for some time already, the Thai-spec outputs remain best at 163hp/343Nm and four-speed auto.
Apparently, Toyota hasn't been bothered by Mitsubishi's technical update for the Triton/Pajero Sport earlier this year which included the so-called VG dosage: 178hp/350Nm and five-speed automatic.
- And why's that?Maybe Toyota is keeping the cards up its sleeve for two reasons. Next year, Euro IV emission standard comes into full effect in Thailand, so another technical change would be needed.
The other reason could be the competition. The Isuzu D-Max/MU-7 is slated to get another update soon, so Toyota may keep it for a counter attack on its archrival. And for 2012, there will be three all-new pickups with brand new engines and transmissions in the Chevrolet Colorado, Ford Ranger and Mazda BT-50.
- Okay. And what about the prices for the Toyota facelift?More features have been added into the Hilux Vigo (now carrying a third moniker in the name of Champ) and Fortuner like electric seats and Bluetooth in G trim, as such, so prices inevitably had to go up accordingly.
The range kicks out at 1.059 million baht for the basic 2.5-litre model with five-speed manual gearbox, going up to 1.498 million for the range-topping 3.0-litre with four-speed automatic and sat-nav system. All in all, there are five versions to choose from _ all about 30,000 baht higher than before.
The price range for the double-cab, on the other hand, starts from 627,000 baht for the 102hp 2.5-litre/five-speed manual/2WD and scaling up to an eye-popping 981,000 baht for the 163hp 3.0-litre/four-speed automatic/4WD. There are 12 variants in total.
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Toyota lifting capacity by 40%
B3bn for more pickup and SUV output Published: 14/07/2011 at 12:00 AM
Bangkok Post: Newspaper section: Business Toyota Motor Thailand is raising the capacity of its Ban Pho plant in Chachoengsao by 40% to accommodate fast-growing vehicle demand abroad and at home.
The country's biggest automaker will invest 3 billion baht to expand the Ban Pho plant, which was designed to produce Hilux Vigo pickup trucks and Fortuner sport utility vehicles (SUV). The plant is currently capable of producing 18,000 to 20,000 vehicles per month.
Toyota has also been investing to improve vehicle assembly speed at its Samrong plant in Samut Prakan to increase production volume since there is no room for expansion.
The Ban Pho expansion would start in September.
"Even though pickup truck and SUV production has been expanded, we believe the total cumulative supply remains short of local and overseas demand," said TMT president Kyoichi Tanada.
As a result, Toyota expects to expand the plant again next year.
Toyota builds more than 45,000 pickup trucks and SUVs per month at the Samrong and Ban Pho plants.
Mr Tanada said Toyota would let its affiliate in Indonesia continue producing Fortuner SUVs even after the Ban Pho plant capacity has been expanded.
Some SUV production was shifted from Thailand to Indonesia earlier because the capacity was strained and the supply could not meet the domestic and overseas demand.
Mr Tanada also congratulated Mitsubishi Motors and Nissan Motor for reaching an agreement to produce Nissan Navara pickups at Mitsubishi's Thailand plant at Laem Chabang.
The agreement will help develop and promote the automotive industry in this region and Thailand, he said.
Yesterday, Toyota launched updated Hilux Vigo and Fortuner models to build on their steady popularity since their introduction in 2004.
Toyota sold about 2.3 million units of the Hilux Vigo and Fortuner in domestic and overseas markets from 2005 to 2010. The vehicles are expected to be exported to some 113 countries.
The updated pickup has been named the Hilux Vigo Champ and features proprietary technology that improves the precision of fuel injection in all driving conditions. The Fortuner features a new diesel commonrail engine.
Both models are available with 2.5- and 3.0-litre diesel engines and 2.7-litre gasoline engines. Retail prices of the Hilux Vigo Champ range from 487,000 to 988,000 baht. The new Fortuner retails from 1.219 to 1.501 million baht.
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