Toyota do Brasil will begin production of the Corolla-based Fielder station wagon in Brazil in 2004, writes Rogério Louro. The new model, which differs only in minor cosmetic details from the Fielder wagon sold through Corolla dealers in Japan, will be made in the Indaiatuba plant, in São Paulo state.
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Toyota showed the Fielder as a ‘concept’ model at the São Paulo Autoshow in October 2002 to gauge potential buyers’ views. A favourable reception led to the decision to produce the Fielder for the Brazilian market with a 136bhp 1.8-litre 16-valve engine and manual or automatic transmission.
Toyota Brazil says its new station wagon will have a local parts and labour content of about 70% though the engines will be imported from Japan. The Fielder will be both sold in Brazil and exported to other Latin American countries.
Toyota is also planning to make a compact car in Brazil but has not yet confirmed what model it will be. The car maker is currently evaluating two alternatives: the next generation Yaris/Echo/Vitz or the smaller model that Toyota will make with the PSA Group in the Czech Republic from 2005.
Toyota plans to start building its new Brazilian compact in 2007.
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