Camry Hybrid in M'sia depends on NAP incentives

UMW assembly of Camry Hybrid in M'sia depends on NAP incentives

KUALA LUMPUR: UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd says it is considering the possibility of assembling hybrid vehicles in Malaysia, but the final decision will depend on the incentives given by the authorities.

Deputy chairman Datuk Takashi Hibi said the company planned to introduce the Toyota Camry Hybrid as the new completely knocked down (CKD) model to be assembled locally. However, whether the company will introduce it or not will depend on the incentives in the revised National Automotive Policy, expected to be announced soon.

“The Camry Hybrid could be priced higher than the conventional Camry with the 2.5 litre petrol engine, but we recognise the needs of our customers who are more environmentally concerned, that is why we are planning to introduce the hybrid variant,” he said at the launch of the Lexus ES yesterday.

This is the first time UMW Toyota Motor has expressed its intention to assemble hybrid vehicles locally after its competitor, Honda Malaysia, started assembling the Honda Jazz hybrid.

Hibi said the Camry was a feasible model due to its high localisation rate, compared with the Prius, a standalone model with limited production and sales volume.

The company expects the Camry Hybrid CKD assembly line to be ready by the middle or third quarter of next year. Currently, UMW Toyota assembles the Avanza, Vios and the Camry at its plant in Shah Alam.

It is usually only economical for car manufacturers to embark on CKD assembly when annual demand exceeds 10,000 units for each model. Meanwhile, president Datuk Ismet Suki said the company expected the newly-launched Lexus ES model to command 40% of its overall Lexus sales in Malaysia next year.

“The new ES bridges the gap between the sporty Lexus IS and the Lexus GS executive sedan by offering an immaculately-crafted interior, spaciousness and comfort,” he said. “We have sold about 800 units of Lexus year-to-date, and are on track to hit our sales target of 1,300 units this year. Next year we are targeting to sell 1,600 units of Lexus.”

He said sales this year had been affected as buyers took a wait-and-see approach during the general election period. In 2012, the company sold 1,471 Lexus vehicles.

The new Lexus ES is available in two petrol variants and one hybrid version and is priced from RM259,800 onwards.