Shanghai August 20 (Gasgoo.com) Toyota Motor Corp is planning to import the re-designed 2011 Toyota Passo to China for local production before 2012 with an annual capacity of more than 150,000 vehicles, media reported on Friday.
Due to Toyota missing out on a major slice of the market earlier this year when the market was largely driven by sub 1.6L displacement vehicles, Toyota are planning a large assault on the small car market, and plan to make Toyota's more affordable, China Car Times said.
The 2011 Toyota Passo,codenamed EFC, with a displacement of 1.0-1.3L, will be launched in China in two versions: standard and Hana. The Japanese carmaker will likely put the new Toyota Passo into production at its Chinese joint venture with Guangzhou Auto.
The 2011 Toyota Passo measures (LxWxH) 3,640 mm x 1,665mm x 1,535mm and can seat five adults. As Toyota's new entry-level vehicle, the car will be priced between 50,000 to 70,000 yuan ($7,400-$10,000) to rival Honda Fit, Nissan March and other A0-Class hatchback cars of less than 70,000-90,000 yuan.
Moreover, the new Passo will be equipped with VSC & TRC system (Vehicle Stability Control & Traction Control system), SRS airbags, SRS curtain-shield airbags, active headrests and other safety systems.
The world's largest automaker also intends to launch the new Toyota Passo in India, Thailand and other emerging markets before 2012.
