Toyota’s latest-generation Yaris is about to be locally assembled in UMW Toyota’s new factory in Bukit Raja.
The last time UMW Toyota brought this hatchback to Malaysia, it was the imported version from Thailand that did not go down well with buyers because its price tag was RM18,000 more than the locally-assembled bestselling Honda Jazz.
Now the Malaysia B-segment hatchback is super popular with new Honda Jazz sales taking top honours, followed by VW’s last generation Polo coming in second, and Ford’s outgoing Fiesta taking in some sales in third place.
With hopes to finally get a bigger slice of the action, UWM Toyota will now be playing its B-segment hatch game with this locally-assembled Yaris.
The Yaris making its debut in early 2019, will be more of a facelift of the Asian-market version introduced in Thailand in 2013 with great success, and looking very much like a baby Auris.
The “new” Yaris however, will be somewhat larger than the global model with length increased by 165mm. It will also be lower and wider than the previous model, with boot space growning from 286 litres to 310 litres.
Under the hood, it will likely be the popular 1.5-litre normally aspirated VVT-i petrol engine that delivers 79kW and 140Nm. It will be mated to a CVT continuously variable transmission.
Although still pending, it’s a good bet that the price range will be anything from RM75,000 to RM84,000.
This article is powered by DS&F, visit www.dsf.my for more automotive updates
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DSF-469102903133988
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drivesafeandfast/