New Vios to be China-made next March

Vios, entering the Chinese market for nearly five years, will be replaced by Toyota Belta in March next year, and its equivalent model in the North American market is notchback Yaris. That means the Yaris to be made in Guangzhou Toyota is a pure speculation. Toyota has to think twice about its production distribution in China.

Tianjin FAW Toyota will produce this model in March next year, but it is likely to remain the brand Vios rather than Belta, by then, old Vios production will be halted. Sources from franchised dealers said.

theToyota Belta is substitution for Vela, called Platz in Japan, Echo in U.S.. In the end of 2005, Toyota launched Belta in Japan to replace Platz. While Yaris brand remained in Europe, new generation of Vitz and Belta launched in North America were renamed Yaris; in March of this year, Toyota Thailand introduced Belta as a replacement of Vios, but the Vios brand remained the same.

The annual production capacity of Belta is expected to be around 6,000 units, which is far from that of Corolla 14,000 units' capacity. However, the two models are in different segments, Belta aims at the Chinese compact family sedan market, with a market price at about 90,000 yuan to 120,000 yuan.

Vios, as the earliest Toyota model made in China and launched ever five years ago, still keeps a monthly sale of 4,000 units.

Toyota Yaris will be produced in the mid of next year in Guangzhou Toyota factory, and is expected to be launched into the Chinese market ahead of the new Belta.