China-made Highlander SUV to sell in H1 '09

Shanghai, December 11 (Gasgoo.com) An insider from GAC Toyota (former Guangzhou Toyota) said that the joint venture will make and sell the new Toyota SUV by June 2009. The latest Highlander model already released in other countries sells for an equivalent of 180,000-190,000 yuan.

As the first model to be built at the second facility of GAC Toyota, the new Toyota Highlander SUV may be unveiled at the 2009 auto show in late April and will go on sale in June or earlier, as confirmed by a top executive of the venture. The import of the current Highlander will stop in January in order to clear its stockpiles in the China market and make room for the locally made model.

Construction of the second plant is going according to plan and the new facility will start operation early next year. The venture's 2009 Camry will also be built on the new production line. The China-made new Camry will be similar to the imported Camry in configurations and appearance, and will offer two versions of 3.5L and 2.7L engines.

Another source said that the 3.5L Highlander model will be made by GAC Toyota, while the all-new 2.7L four-cylinder 2009 Highlander model will be assembled at the venture's new plant from imported components, to be sold in China as an imported model. They will feature the five-speed automatic manual transmission, four-wheel-drive system, among others.

Toyota Motor has announced the pricing of its 2009 Highlander SUV, with the 4-cylinder 2.7L model starting from $26,450. The Toyota Highlander SUV, including the Sport, Limited, Hybrid, and Hybrid Limited variants, will rival the Honda Pilot and Nissan Murano series.