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Published on January 30, 2008

The new Corolla Altis is the first Toyota model in Thailand to be compatible with E20 gasohol.

The company plans to sell 2,600 units a month, Toyota Motor Thailand senior vice president Wichien Emprasertsuk said yesterday.

Manufactured in Thailand, the new model will also be exported to Asean markets. With engine capacity of 1,600cc and 1,800cc, it will be priced between Bt709,000 and Bt969,000.

First launched in 1962, the Corolla has played an important role in helping Toyota become the most popular car brand in Thailand, with more than 455,000 units sold here to date.

Toyota Motor Corp chief engineer Yasuyuki Kawamoto said: "The new Toyota Corolla Altis comes with the target of becoming the No-1 car in the [Thai] upper compact-passenger-car segment. It was developed to be an outstanding passenger car and comes with the highest level of performance and quality, especially in terms of responsibility to the user's health and environmental friendliness."

Kawamoto said Toyota engineers had lowered the number of interior parts containing volatile organic compounds 80 per cent from the outgoing model.

"Moreover, in order to respond to the global oil situation and the Thai government's energy policy, the new Corolla Altis can also be powered by E20 gasohol," he added.

Other Toyota passengers cars, such as the Vios, Yaris and Camry, have also undergone modifications for E20 use.

Kingsley Wijayasinha

The Nation