Bangkok--31 Jan--Dentsu
Mr. Takeshi YOSHIDA, Senior Managing Director of Toyota Motor Corporation, and Mr. Yasuyuki KAWAMOTO, Chief Engineer, along with Mr. Mitsuhiro SONODA, president of Toyota Motor Thailand Co. Ltd., and Senior vice president Mr. WICHIEN Emprasertsuk jointly presided over the press conference to introduce the all new Corolla ALTIS on January 29, 2008, at the Muang Thai Ratchadalai Theater Bangkok.
Toyota Motor Thailand Co.,Ltd., launched the first generation of Japanese-made Corolla in 1966 and the second generation in 1970 before the production line of the third generation Corolla commenced at Toyota's Samrong plant in Samut Prakarn in 1974.
In 2001 an important development took place, which turned the ninth-generation Corolla from a compact sedan to a premium compact sedan called the Corolla Altis which came with a high level of luxury and value. The production started at Toyota's second assembly plant at the Gateway Industrial Estate in Chachoengsao province. The Corolla is one of the most important models for Toyota in Thailand, and it quickly established itself as one of Thailand's most popular passenger cars. Until now Toyota had introduced 9 generations of “Corolla ALTIS” to Thai customer Over 40 years. Along this decade, the Corolla has become a highly popular car which stood by the development of the Thai society. More than 455,000 units have been sold up to date, and the Corolla has played a major role in contributing Toyota market share to be number one position in the Thai passenger car market in the present day.
"Corolla has been a symbol of Toyota’s passenger car, which has contributed to the growth of vehicle industry all over the world with the sales of more than 30 million units. Additionally, Toyota’s global passenger car sales for last year was 4.1 million units, including 1.4 million units of the global sales of Corolla or accounting for more than 30% of Toyota’s global passenger car sales." Mr. Takeshi YOSHIDA, Senior Managing Director of Toyota Motor Corporation, Japan said.
Mr. Mitsuhiro SONODA, President of Toyota Motor Thailand Co.,Ltd. added: "Due to its new advanced dynamic styling, its enhanced comfort and convenience, its expanded interior roominess, and its top-class performance including safety, all of these features are apparently provided its class. New Corolla ALTIS will be ready to expand of the Small-High segment and will create a new market by attracting customers from traditional small-high sedan to upper class segment. Apart from the high popularity among Thai customers, 50% of Corolla AlLTIS production at the Toyota Gateway plant will be exported to other Asian markets”.
According to Mr. Yasuyuki KAWAMOTO, Chieft engineer of Toyota Motor Corporation, Japan "The new Corolla ALTIS is now ready to launch, with its aim to be number 1 position in Small-High market segment. It has been developed with the theme of being “Higher Class Sedan” and to be the highest performance and quality sedan in its segment. Especially being concerned with our customers’ health and the environment is very important, so we decided to use interior parts with low Volatile Organic Compounds, or VOC. The amount of VOC’s released to the atmosphere has been reduced by more than 80% compare to the previous model. Moreover, in order to adapt to the scarcity of oil in the world, and to respond to the Thai government’s wishes, the new Corolla ALTIS has been developed to be compatible with E20 fuel.”
On the other hand, Mr. WICHIEN Emprasertsuk, Senior Vice President of Toyota Motor Thailand Co.,Ltd. said: "New Corolla Altis has been perfectly developed beyond its class with four unique selling points namely advanced design, comfort & convenience, balance performance and the higher safety standards. It has been a car with an important role in being a part of the Thai lifestyle for so long, and capable of E20 gasohol."
Mr. WICHIEN added: "From the outstanding of four unique selling points of new Toyota ALTIS, we use the marketing communications theme that is "Be Your Own Star". Also, in order to create a new trend and help promote image of the new Corolla ALTIS further, we have selected Hollywood star Orlando Bloom as the presenter for this model. This will help reflect the outstanding image and taste of our target customers. The sales target has been set at 2,600 units per month, and the official launch will be held from February 1-3 at all 296 Toyota showrooms nationwide, as well as four Central Department Stores in Bangkok."
Experience, test drive and place an order for the new Corolla ALTIS "Be Your Own Star" February 1-3 at 296 Toyota showrooms nationwide and Central Department Stores 4 branched in Bangkok Central Ladprao — Pinklao — Bangna and Central World