The All-new Toyota Yaris has finally been launched for the Malaysian market by Malaysian distributors for Toyota, UMW Toyota Motor. The model is the second vehicle, after the recently launched Toyota Vios, to be locally assembled at UMW Toyota Motor's new assembly plant at Bukit Raja in Klang, Selangor. The new Toyota hatchback will be sold from an affordable RM70,888 onwards and it quite affordable due to its high local content. The Malaysian Yaris has at least 70% local content inside of it.
The All-new 2019 Toyota Yaris is available in three variants in Malaysia. These are the Toyota Yaris 1.5G, Yaris 1.5E and Yaris 1.5J. There are 5 xterior colours to choose from, including its signature colour the Citrus Mica Metallic which you see in the photos here in. The other colours are Super White II, Red Mica Metallic, Attitude Black and Silver Metallic. Prices for the Yaris 1.5G is RM83,888, the Yaris 1.5E at RM76,888 and the Yaris 1.5J comes in at RM70,888.
The new Yaris is equipped with Auto Air Conditioning (for a B-segment car, this is big news okay), DVD-AVX system with a 7-inch touchscreen display with USB mirroring for connectivity and Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) for a 360-degree view of the vehicle which will aid in maneuvering the car in tight spaces (or parking). There is a 12V socket and 2 USB ports for powering or recharging multiple devices for the occupants. This is truly a car built for today's tech.
The All-new Toyota Yaris comes with the 2NR-FE 1.5-litre 4-cylinder DOHC with Dual VVT-i engine. It is tuned for fuel efficiency and smooth delivery of power and torque rather than all out horsepower. Like it's sister car, the Toyota Vios, it makes 107ps and 140Nm of torque and it powers the front wheels via a 7-speed Sport Sequential Shiftmatic (CVT) transmission. It has a manual mode to allow the driver to make selections of the 7 speeds in the CVT for those who want a little more control. A Drive Mode Switch allows the driver to prioritise fuel efficiency (and ECO mode) or for better performance.
The All-new Toyota Yaris has a crash test rating by ASEAN NCAP of the maximum 5 stars for all of the Yaris variants sold in Malaysia. The reason is that the Yaris has both the Active and Passive Safety features that are required by ASEAN NCAP for the maximum rating. The safety equipment include 7 SRS airbags and Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) with Traction Control (TRC) and Hill-start Assist (HAC).
Other notable features include electrochromic rear-view mirror and a Drive Mode switch. Safety is further enhanced with a Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross Traffic Alert, DVR with Forward Collision Warning (FCW) & Lane Departure Warning (LDW). The new Yaris is very well equipped for the price that Toyota is offering. One could say that this could be the best value in terms of what is given in a compact hatchback here in Malaysia. One that isn't a 'local' car brand of course.
Speaking of 'local', the new Yaris is actually made from 70% of Malaysian source content. This car demonstrates that with enough localised parts, a car can be made to be priced competitively. If this car managed to get 85% or more at the outset, imagine how much it would actually cost. But still, it demonstrates the company’s support for the government’s desire to see increased localisation of vehicle production and it also shows most of us that Toyota is putting up a fight here in terms of sales volume. The company is keen of taking the fight back to Honda which are currently the market leaders in terms of sales volumes.
Anyway, Ravindran K., President of UMW Toyota Motor had this to say at the launch about the push by the company, “It has been a while since the last time UMW Toyota Motor have a hatchback model in our line-up. The last Toyota Yaris was sold between year 2006 until 2012 which was a CBU from Japan and was competitively priced. There were more than 1000 units of the Yaris sold at that time."
He added, “Consumer preferences has changed. We now see that many customers, especially from the younger generation like the hatchbacks because they represent a sportier image. Looking at the trend, we decided to reintroduce the Yaris to our model line-up. Yaris will be UMW TOYOTA MOTOR'S FIRST Completely Knocked Down (CKD) hatchback produced at our new Bukit Raja manufacturing plant.”
Owners of the new Yaris can enjoy motoring during the full 5 years warranty with unlimited mileage traveled after original registration so any owner gets the full 5 years of coverage.
Oh, by the way, UMW Toyota Motor also announced that Janna Nick, a Malaysian celebrity and also a podium winner in various Toyota Gazoo Racing Festival races held over the past two years is now the Toyota Yaris brand ambassador.
Also, stay tuned here at Motoring-Malaysia as we have been invited to the Yaris Media drive which will happen sometime soon. We shall have an initial drive experience review on this hatchback sometime after that. In the meantime, here is a short video about the launch as well as some other stuff about the car.
There is also an interactive film for you to watch...
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