FAW Toyota dealers able to sell imported cars in '10

Shanghai, October 9 (Gasgoo.com) More than 300 dealerships of FAW Toyota will be all permitted to sell imported Toyota cars from the beginning of next year, to merge the joint venture's sales channels of China-made and imported Toyota models, xinhuanet.com reported today.

Currently there are 57 authorized dealerships of imported Toyota cars in China and meanwhile all of them also sell Toyota cars locally made by FAW Toyota. They import and sell Toyota models such as Prado 2700, Previa MPV, Hiace van, and others.

Toyota Motor actually started two years ago to sell its imported and locally-made cars via the same network in the Chinese market, but this practice soon halted due to small sales volume of imported models.

The company's imported models, though sold in small quantities, are gaining bigger profits on average than its China-made cars. Therefore, Toyota Motor has decided to resume its plan to merge the sales channels.

Many FAW Toyota dealers in Beijing have placed their December orders for imported Toyota models, which may include the 2010 Prado 2700. These imported cars will be sold by all dealers of the venture from the beginning of next year.

Dealers said selling the imported Toyota cars will help boost the sales profits. More Toyota models, including all-new ones and revamped ones, are expected to be imported to the Chinese market in 2010.