Toyota GR Yaris receives ‘overwhelming’ demand in Malaysia

Updated Jan 21, 2021 | Same topic: Latest Consumer Reports

Looks like Toyota has another hit on its hands.

The Toyota GR Yaris has landed in Malaysia, almost a year following its debut at the 2020 Tokyo Auto Salon. Upon its launch, Toyota fans and enthusiasts simply can’t rave enough about the handling and power that the hot hatch offers in spades.    

Toyota GR Yaris Brand Film

Malaysian customers wholeheartedly agree, and the carmaker could be having a shortage on its hands. UMW Toyota Motor, the official distributor of Toyota vehicles for the Malaysian market, has reported that response to the GR Yaris has been ‘overwhelming’.

As of this writing, GR Yaris units have reportedly been leaving showrooms at a rate that has exceeded expectations. Considering that only less than 200 units are reserved for Malaysia out of the 25,000 being produced worldwide, local customers who are still on the fence over buying one should already be making up their minds.

White GR Yaris drifting

An image you can practically hear

>>> Related: 2021 Toyota GR Yaris PH price could be similar to Honda Civic Type R

“When we were informed of the new Toyota GR Yaris by Toyota Motor Corporation, we knew it would have a great potential in the Malaysian market, especially with the increasing motorsport and motorsport-related activities organized by UMW Toyota Motor,” said UMW Toyota Motor President Ravindran Kurusamy.

“The enthusiastic fans were eagerly awaiting the launch of the model and wasted no time booking one right after we launched the car on December 17, 2020,” he adds. “And now, just over a month since its launch, we have been receiving such an overwhelming response. We thank customers for their enthusiastic support.”

Other markets have seen a similarly spirited response to the GR Yaris, fueled by widespread acclaim from motoring journalists over its performance. Australia, for instance, has seen 1,000 units sold out in a span of just one week.  

GR Yaris standing

Flipino Toyota fans are hoping that the GR Yaris makes its way to the Philippines soon

“The GR brand harnesses the racing experience gained by pushing the limits in motorsport and applies it to a whole new generation of high-performance cars from Toyota,” according to Akio Takeyama, Deputy Chairman for UMW Toyota Motor and Chief Motorsports Officer for GAZOO Racing Malaysia.

Hopefully, Filipinos will also get a taste of just how desirable the GR Yaris is, with the model rumored to be arriving in Philippine showrooms by the second quarter of 2021. Toyota Motor Philippines has yet to confirm this, but we’re keeping our fingers crossed.   

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Know more about Toyota Yaris 2024

Toyota Yaris

Like its brothers in other Southeast Asian markets, the Philippine-spec Toyota Yaris is a five-door subcompact hatchback based on the Toyota Vios sedan. Locally, it is available in two variants: the Yaris E 1.3 AT and the Yaris S 1.5 AT. Toyota Yaris price Philippines starts at ₱973,000 for the entry-level E 1.3 AT, while the top-of-the-line Toyota Yaris S 1.5 AT is priced at ₱1,114,000

Both trims of the 2023 Toyota Yaris Philippines utilize a 1.5-liter inline-4 gasoline engine capable of making up to 106 horsepower and 140 Nm of torque. For both Yaris variants, both come with a continuously variable transmission with a paddle shifter manual-mode. 

Size-wise, the Toyota Yaris measures 4,140mm long, 1,730mm wide, and 1,500mm in height. It also has a wheelbase length of 2,550mm, and a ground clearance of 140mm. 

In the local market, the Toyota Yaris’ competitors includes the likes of the Volkswagen Santana GTS, Honda City hatchback, Mazda2, Suzuki Swift, etc. 

₱ 973,000 - ₱ 1,114,000

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Joseph Paolo Estabillo

Joseph Paolo Estabillo

Author

Joseph holds a degree in Journalism from the University of the Philippines Diliman and has been writing professionally since 1999. He has written episodes for CNN Philippines' motoring show Drive, and has worked on corporate projects for MG Philippines and Pilipinas Shell. Aside from being Philkotse.com’s Content Lead, he also writes content for numerous car dealerships in the U.S., spanning multiple brands such as Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Maserati, among others.

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