Here’s something we’re not supposed to see, because the car being transported was covered up. But sometimes it’s difficult to hold everything together in a storm, and wind can cause unintended exposure. Unfortunately for our subject here, photographer Sherman Sim was just behind as he was travelling to paultan.org PACE over the weekend.
My regular motor show teammate is no stranger to ASEAN cars, and immediately realised that it was the Toyota Yaris under the hiked up cover. The long rear lamps that wrapround deep into the side profile is a giveaway, confirmed by the Yaris badge seen clearly in one of the shots.
Currently sold in Thailand and Indonesia, this is the Yaris facelift that was launched in the Land of Smiles in September 2017. There, the Yaris and its sedan sister – the Yaris Ativ – are Thai eco cars with 1.2 litre engines. No such restriction for Indonesia, so the Yaris debut there in February this year with a 1.5 litre engine, the same 2NR unit used by the Perodua Myvi. The Indonesian-spec Yaris slots above the Daihatsu Ayla and Toyota Agya Low Cost Green Car (LCGC) twins, which max out at 1.2L.
This unit has rather unusual red coloured panels around the lower bumper, which doesn’t go very well with the Citrus Mica Metallic paint. It could well be a TRD Sportivo version of the five-door hatch. Toyota Thailand’s entry level car does not have a TRD Sportivo trim level, but there’s one in Indonesia, which rides on the same 16-inch two-tone rims you see here.
However, the Indo-spec Yaris TRD Sportivo has a different rear bumper, both in design and colour – it’s mainly body-coloured, with a black inside section and a red pinstripe. Ditto the side skirts, which are mainly black here, with red accents. The more subtle Indo-spec TRD Sportivo gets a slim strip of black, with a red tip. A unique “extra sporty” flavour for Malaysia perhaps?
The pre-heavy facelift Yaris made its way into Malaysia in 2014, but only a handful found homes due to its high price of above RM100k. This new one would need to be significantly more competitive, as the current Perodua Myvi has shifted the goalposts in terms of safety and equipment.
Local assembly might help its cause. Back in May 2016, Toyota confirmed plans to build a new factory in Malaysia. The new plant is located in Bukit Raja Industrial Estate, Klang, and will have an initial annual production capacity of 50,000 units a year.
The 670,000 sqm factory is part of Toyota’s plans to reorganise its production system in Malaysia. The current Assembly Services Sdn Bhd (ASSB) factory will be left to focus on the production of commercial vehicles, while the new plant takes on production of passenger cars, including Energy Efficient Vehicles (EEVs).
Then, Toyota said that it expected production at Bukit Raja to start in early 2019, the time when the ASSB plant will cease to roll out passenger vehicles. Coincidentally, the Yaris-ferrying truck you see here was on the NKVE heading towards Klang. What do you think of the Yaris vs the Myvi and Honda Jazz?
GALLERY: Indonesia-spec Toyota Yaris
GALLERY: Thai-spec Toyota Yaris
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If this is true, no wonder john and Mario are hiding today. Toyota sales are doing so well globally. And they do it on their own accord. Proton sales kaput and they need Geely and China to save Proton.
This Yaris will sell well. Just like the Camry also. Just few days preview already got thousands of interested parties.
Again no front defrost system???
Again no front defrost on it??? is that actually cost you a lot till need to take it down?.. actually is a must for every car to have it.
Habis la jazz… and some say myvee.
Again no front defrost on it??? is that actually cost you a lot till need to take it down?.. actually is a must for every car to have it.
MyVi…? Let me guess – 4-speeder again…? So Toyolta…!!! I’ll pass…!!!
The same car Aston Martin rebadged. Noice!
not too surprised actually, i got a text message from a toyota sales person informing that the yaris alongside the camry, rush and vios was open for booking several weeks ago.
Design wise, just stick to the one without the bodykit. The TRD kit for both markets in here and everywhere else that has this version of the Yaris is just disgusting IMO.
Is fortunate the front looks utterly ugly
I didn’t know that the Yaris was avialable in 2014.
MyVi with a Toyota badge?
The Myvi and Yaris are completely different.
New upcoming perodua with ah beng in mind maybe.
Why bring this fugly Yaris UMW?! Bring the handsome European Yaris!
I’ve knew this 2 weeks ago when i went to Toyota dealer asking about Vios. He said, current vios no more, will be replaces by Yaris Ativ (same with Singapore version). Later will come Yaris, RAV4 (America version), and corolla hatchback. Just wait.
The game changer! Can eat Jazz easily! Good RV too
No need buy Yaris, just get new myvi and TRD sticker on it.
The most powerful car incoming!!!!!!
price is the determined factor!
Omg cant wait for this!!
Finally a worthy competitor for the Jazz!
Just realised that my Myvi just cannot match the comfort and refinement of a Toyota despite it being a sister car. A bit harsh, loud and slightly on the bumpier side. The Yaris seems like good news
It is wobbling at high speed , toyota is not comfortable at all
Finally the Yaris is back!!
The spec list looks good based on whats in Thailand. Impressive for UMW to bring it here really
Pls do not come to Malaysia. The most ridiculous looks ever. I was shock and unable to eat for few days after sawing such a look. Pls dislike me for this comment because its truly ugly. I appreciate people dislike me and thanks you in advance first.
Whoa Jazz salesman can’t even eat hearing this news..habislaaa
Sorry bro. Not my line in selling car, I’m just a reviewer in Paul Tan. Thanks for seeing me as salesman. Mayb I should apply with UMW. You might be my first customer. Thank you in advance, I will surrender all my commission for your car and give you as many freebies while full tank petrol. If you do not like T brand and like H brand. Nvm, I will apply another job with H. Good customer and kind enough to be my first customer. Tq in advance again.
thailand 60k est..indonesia 67k est..mostly cars in indonesia is 10 to 20k cheaper in malaysia..mybe in malaysia around 75-90k..based on specs..
red bodykit? that’s a weird colour.
The red means it is as fast as ferarri and can smoke civic turbo anytime anyday
Again no front defrost on it??? is that actually cost you a lot till need to take it down?.. actually is a must for every car to have it.
What no front defrost again? How come taiwan have it? Is that so expensive, till you need to remove it.. even P1 n p2 still hv it, that is a vr comment n is a must as a car. I am curious who the man behind the idea by removing it?.. You already earn so must on it, still not enough? still want to cut on it, no wonder lot of ppl. switch to H.city o others brands.. aren’t u feel the shame TOYOTA, u are killing ur own brand..
Since the myvi had all those ASA and better equipment.. I think Toyo version will have more or same equipment like myvi. Perhaps Toyo Safety Sense for MY market. Just don’t like the front joker face though