UMWT announces RM 270m investment into CKD hybrids - Corolla Cross Hybrid?

UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) has announced RM 270 million investment plan into expanding its current manufacturing operations and facility. This amount includes, amongst others, the introduction of a new generation of Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV).

“Toyota’s global direction is to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. This is also in line with the Malaysian Government’s aspirations to position the country as a progressive nation that promotes more green technology and environmental sustainability,” said UMW Toyota Motor Deputy Chairman, Akio Takeyama.

“This is indeed an exciting time for the Malaysian automotive industry and UMW Toyota Motor is fully charged and ready to champion this Malaysian dream. In order to achieve this, the most realistic, practical and immediate solution is Toyota Hybrid Electric technology and vehicles,” he added.

The new investment is on top of an earlier RM 2 billion that went into the construction and commissioning of its new plant in Bukit Raja.

During the UMW Holdings Berhad presentation to investors previously, the company has implied that the Corolla Cross will be offered with a hybrid variant. Thus, we’re expecting one of the first HEV models introduced here to be the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid.

Also read: UMW confirms CKD 2021 Toyota Corolla Cross to launch in Q2 2021, more hybrids to come

“We are ready (with the introduction of Hybrid Electric Vehicles), and the technology; service support; current infrastructure; global and domestic policies; the level of affordability and cost effectiveness; and, consumer awareness and demand, particularly in Malaysia, are now at its most ideal conditions to pursue a new and exciting journey towards achieving carbon neutrality,” said Takeyama.

Also read: 

Dealers explain why the Toyota Corolla Cross is UMWT’s best product in 20 years

First shipment of the 2021 Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8V is in Malaysia, MCO postpones deliveries

Thailand’s Toyota Corolla Cross bullies rivals into submission for Q1 2021, Honda HR-V and Subaru XV trails far behind