Will the Toyota Noah be introduced in Malaysia or not

KUALA LUMPUR: Right now the Nissan Serena is the best-selling mid-sized MPV in Malaysia and there is no rival in sight. Yes, ask any car company product planner and they will all say that this is not a growing segment in Malaysia and more buyers are looking at SUV. True, but what if there was one rival with an MPV that looked like a very popular luxury MPV?

We all know that the Toyota Alphard and Vellfire continue to dominate the luxury MPV segment in Malaysia and sales are booming year on year as more people want to be seen driving one or be seen getting in and out of one with the power sliding door in action.

Well, here is a solution and possible business opportunity for UMW Toyota. In Japan since 2001, Toyota has been selling their compact MPV the Toyota Noah and it is a scaled-down version of the Alphard. Carrying all the lovely luxury features of the Alphard but in a smaller body and easier to manage 1.8L hybrid and 2.0L engine, it has been a great seller in Japan.

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Over the past 4 to 5 years, the Toyota Noah has been slowly arriving in the Malaysian used car showrooms as a reconditioned units and sold for between RM120,000 and RM150,000 which is about RM50,000 to RM40,000 lower than the reconditioned Toyota Alphard of the same age.

Owners of the Noah praise its luxury, safety, and driver comfort and with a smaller engine, fuel consumption and road tax is low.

Now, we hear of a 2022 model Noah being released in Japan. A new aggressive-looking ‘bread box’ with many of the features seen in the larger Toyota Alphard.

This new fourth-generation Noah uses the TNGA (GA-C) platform for its basic structure with the use of the latest advanced fixtures.

A large-capacity 104 L luggage area provides useful underfloor storage to allow tall cargo items and suitcases.

The seven-seater models feature captain seats in the second row. In addition to ottoman mechanisms which is a first for this class and the seats also have large foldable side tables.

The lower-profile one-touch folding third-row seats also allow ultra-long straight sliding mechanisms (slide length of 745 mm), rather than requiring sideways sliding, without compromising ride comfort. Together, these features enhance convenience and comfort.

This new Noah comes equipped with power sliding doors. The step extends and retracts below the door by ‘karakuri’ mechanism when opening and closing the sliding door. The step is 200mm high to provide easy access for the whole family, from children to the elderly.

This latest Noah also comes equipped with Toyota Safety Sense, the newest active safety package with advanced and improved functionality.

You have two engine options from the factory. The electric modules have been updated in the new-generation hybrid system that employs a 1.8-liter in-line four-cylinder DOHC engine (2ZR-FXE). Increased motor and battery output, and improved system efficiency, allowing for comfortable acceleration and outstanding fuel efficiency.

There is also a more popular 2.0-liter Dynamic Force Engine (M20A-FKS) working with a Direct Shift-CVT that delivers a powerful direct drive system with outstanding fuel efficiency.

As a petrol-powered family vehicle, it still returns a class-leading fuel efficiency of 15.1 km/liter under the WLTC test cycle. Direct Shift-CVT comes with 10-speed Sport Sequential Shiftmatic for fun shift changes with the feeling of a manual.

UMW Toyota should consider locally assembling this new Toyota Noah MPV, especially with the availability of a 1.8L hybrid engine. It might just outsell the used reconditioned Alphard.

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