Toyota targets young Chinese, hopes 1m sales

FT-EV III, an eclectic concept car produced by Toyota, displays at the 2013 Guangzhou auto show. [Hao Yan / chinadaily.com.cn]

Toyota Motor Corp displayed about 50 Toyota and Lexus cars with its Chinese joint venture FAW Toyota Motor Sales Co and GAC Toyota Motor Co at the 2013 Guangzhou auto show, which began Nov 21.

The Japanese carmaker showed two models specially made for the Chinese market, the new Vios and the new Yaris L, at the on-going auto show. Toyota is expected to assist younger Chinese realize their dream of a new car dream through its localization efforts.

Special: Auto guangzhou 2013

Toyota Motor (China) Investment Co President Shinji Kitada said the company will constantly deliver products that delight Chinese customers, introduce core technologies to China, promote the business with partners and devote itself to the social responsibilities.

Toyota has made steady progress in developing Chinese-made hybrid systems, and the new R&D facilities at Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (China) Co started operations from Nov 14 in Jiangsu province. This it is the first time Toyota has researched and made the hybrid vehicles' core components outside Japan.

Plans call for the introduction of locally-built hybrid systems in vehicles produced and sold through joint ventures around 2015.

"Toyota is set to accomplish a sales volume of 900,000 in China in 2013 thanks to the Chinese customers' support, and it is expected to exceed one million next year," said Kitada.

Shinji Kitada,President of Toyota Motor (China) Investment Co addresses a speech on Nov 21, 2013 at the 2013 Guangzhou auto show. [Photo / Proviede to chinadaily.com.cn]