Toyota to build Kluger in Australia

mcnamg · 04-03-2009, 06:38 PM

Source News.com.au
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574...77-421,00.html

Quote:

TOYOTA, one of Australia's big three car makers, is considering building a four-wheel drive model locally but not until the global financial crisis subsides.
Toyota Australia chief executive Max Yasuda told an industry journal the Kluger model could be built at the Altona plant in Melbourne.

"If we build (Kluger) here, obviously there is no need to produce (from Japan) for the Australian market, because we are the only right-hand (drive) market for this Kluger," Mr Yasuda told goauto.com.au.

Toyota said the model would not be built in Australia until after the global financial crisis eased.

"We have made no secret of our desire to produce a third model line-up as part of our manufacturing product mix," Toyota spokesman Glenn Campbell said.

"The possibility of a third model in unlikely in the next few years given the current economic climate, but when conditions improve it is one of the options we might consider."

The medium-sized Camry and six-cylinder Aurion models are presently built in Melbourne.

Mr Yasuda told goauto.com.au other Toyota vehicles were being considered to boost production volumes.

"There are other possibilities, he said.

"We are having a very difficult time, especially our suppliers due to a lower production volume, but we will survive."

Australia's two other main car makers Ford and Holden are due to make four-cylinder models locally from 2010.

Ford's Focus model will be made in Victoria.

Adelaide-based Holden, meanwhile, will build a small car based on a Chevrolet design, with production subsidised by the federal government's $1.3 billion green car innovation fund.

The same fund will give Toyota $35 million to build a petrol-electric hybrid Camry in Australia.
Toyota was Australia's biggest selling car brand in February, figures released by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries on Wednesday showed.

The Japanese car giant sold 14,274 vehicles Down Under last month, ahead of Holden on 9,029 and Ford on 7396.

Toyota also led the way on a year-to-date basis with 27,701 vehicles compared to 17,791 for Holden and 13,416 for Ford.

Bossxr8 · 04-03-2009, 07:07 PM

Doesn't say they will. They have been looking at doing it for at least 5 years now and still nothing.

XR6_190 · 04-03-2009, 07:34 PM

It wouldn't surprise me either way, as it's built off the same platform as the Camry twins. At the end of the day, it's just another dreary Toyota that will inexplicably sell in good numbers.

Ghiadude · 04-03-2009, 07:52 PM

what a joke of a headline - we will think about it......maybe........later......if its good n that...

vztrt · 04-03-2009, 08:03 PM

lol, GoAuto talks about the I6 exporting...yet no major paper will report it.

Toyota/Holden change a bolt in their car and the media are jizzing in their pants.

mrbaxr6t · 04-03-2009, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vztrt

lol, GoAuto talks about the I6 exporting...yet no major paper will report it.

Toyota/Holden change a bolt in their car and the media are jizzing in their pants.

so true, so funny

Holden always seem to get preferential media attention.

Gobes32 · 04-03-2009, 09:37 PM

They want to make the Kluger because Australia is the Klugers only right hand drive market? Surely they sell them in South Africa or Europe?

mickbundy · 04-03-2009, 10:41 PM

Would say they are just feeling the water with the economy.
Like what will KRUDD give us to do it

vztrt · 05-03-2009, 12:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mickbundy

Would say they are just feeling the water with the economy.
Like what will KRUDD give us to do it

Unless its a hybrid they would get nothing as the car wont be 'green' enough.

uranium_death · 05-03-2009, 01:07 PM

Toyotas are "toxic bores".

I can see Kevin having a great affinity with it...

I think it is always good to have vehicles built in Australia, Ford or not, provided demand is there.

colossus · 05-03-2009, 01:14 PM

We test drove a Kluger not long ago and it was pretty decent. Interior is very nice (KS-S which is the mid range model gets full leather and colour ICC screen/reverse camera as standard - you have to buy a Ghia to match it).

This would be great for Aussie manufacturing industry if it went ahead.

2fishingdogs · 05-03-2009, 01:57 PM

At the end of the day any car maker wanting to add more production lines in this country is a good thing.

XR6_190 · 05-03-2009, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colossus

We test drove a Kluger not long ago and it was pretty decent. Interior is very nice (KS-S which is the mid range model gets full leather and colour ICC screen/reverse camera as standard - you have to buy a Ghia to match it).

Not surpirised that the KX-S is comparable to the Ghia on features, they are nearly lineball on list price.And the interior might look OK, but the outside still looks crook, and I am not a fan of the leather and fake plastic 'wood' that Toyota and Lexus use.

DRU842 · 07-03-2009, 09:36 AM

What would actually be made here? Motor, drive train, ..... anything?

4Vman · 08-03-2009, 06:18 PM

This will be a finial option.. Japan don't want to build it. We are the only consumers of the RH steer Kluger, the other option which im told by a reliable source is its more likely is it will be dropped from their range.

**Fordman1** · 08-03-2009, 06:28 PM

At the current volumes it won't happen without Government assistance.

Krudd is not going to hand out money for an SUV unless it runs on the "smell of an oily rag".

I can't imagine the Stamping plant tooling up for all of those interior and exterior panels !

Sounds like Japan won't be building it, so a Partial KD from the US ?

Not in this century.

4Vman · 08-03-2009, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barraxr8

At the current volumes it won't happen without Government assistance.

Krudd is not going to hand out money for an SUV unless it runs on the "smell of an oily rag".

I can't imagine the Stamping plant tooling up for all of those interior and exterior panels !

Sounds like Japan won't be building it, so a Partial KD from the US ?

Not in this century.

The V6 Rav is a similar vehicle to the kluger in size, the prado offers a measurable step up, to be honest there's too many "SUVish" models in their range, the Kluger's days are numbered.

**Fordman1** · 08-03-2009, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Vman

The V6 Rav is a similar vehicle to the kluger in size, the prado offers a measurable step up, to be honest there's too many "SUVish" models in their range, the Kluger's days are numbered.

Especially in this climate (next 18 months) !!

XR6_190 · 08-03-2009, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Vman

The V6 Rav is a similar vehicle to the kluger in size, the prado offers a measurable step up, to be honest there's too many "SUVish" models in their range, the Kluger's days are numbered.

I'll second that! I find it fascinating that Toyota manage to have something like 16 separate models in their range, and not one of them is remotely interesting.