Industry Minister pushes for export of Toyota Yaris Cross to Australian market

Jakarta –

Minister of Industry Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita asked Toyota to be able to export the Yaris Cross to Australia. On the other hand, Toyota Australia itself has sold the Toyota Yaris Cross, but on a different platform from the Yaris Cross in Indonesia.

According to Agus, the demand for Sport Utility Vehicles (SUV) in the Kangaroo Country is greater. Hence, his party is pushing for the Toyota Yaris Cross made in Karawang to be exported to Australia.

“I hope the Yaris Cross can become part of exports from Indonesia to the Australian market,” said Agus during the first production and export ceremony for the Yaris Cross at the Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indonesia (TMMIN) facility, Karawang, West Java, Tuesday (13/6/2023).

Agus added that Australia is a developed country with higher vehicle standards. The country’s SUV market potential is also dominant compared to other models. Yaris Cross, which is included in the crossover segment, can enter urban models.

“I have received a report that the market in Australia needs or demand for SUVs is quite high, they are only sufficient for large SUVs, but the demand for small size SUVs is still extraordinary, that is our concern. And if we have exported it to Australia, it is a achievement itself,” explained Agus.

However, at this time Toyota has actually marketed the Toyota Yaris Cross in Australia. Only, the Yaris Cross sold in Australia is the same Yaris Cross as in Japan and Europe. The Yaris Cross uses the TNGA GA-B platform.

Meanwhile in Indonesia, Yaris Cross comes with a new DNGA platform. The Yaris Cross’s second engine is also different.

In Japan, the Toyota Yaris Cross is equipped with a 1.5-liter petrol engine, the Dynamic Force Engine coded M15A-FKS with CVT direct shift transmission, and there is also a hybrid version with the Toyota Hybrid System II system. The petrol engine version is offered with front-wheel drive (FWD) and 4WD options. While the hybrid version also comes with FWD and E-Four or electric four-wheel drive options.

Meanwhile, in Indonesia, a 1.5-liter petrol coded 2NR-VE is offered with a power figure of 78 kW and 138 Nm of torque. This petrol variant is offered with a choice of manual and CVT transmissions. And for the hybrid version, the Yaris Cross uses a 2NR-VEX engine which can spit out 67 kW of power and 121 Nm of torque with the addition of a lithium ion battery where the electric motor has a power of 59 kW and 141 Nm of torque. The hybrid variant is only available with a CVT transmission.

According to Bob Azam, Director of External Relations at PT Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indonesia (TMMIN), his party is still studying the possibility of the Yaris Cross to be exported to the Australian market.

“We will continue to study, the Australian market is a bit different because they are developed country markets. But exports will be stronger if the exports are not only Toyota but all brands export equally so logistics will be more efficient, if it’s just us the logistics will be inefficient. ‘ explained Bob.

Watch Video “Toyota Yaris Cross Review: Prices start at Rp. 300 million, is it worth asking for?“

(rgr/lth)