Toyota Motor Corp said Friday that Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky Inc, its vehicle manufacturing subsidiary in Kentucky, the United States began exports of U.S.-manufactured Venza crossover vehicles to South Korea last month. Six hundred units are to be exported to South Korea annually.
Aiming to provide the South Korean market with a diverse vehicle lineup that meets consumer expectations, the Venza is to join Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana Inc-manufactured Sienna minivans and Camry and Camry Hybrid sedans exported there since last year.
Toyota began exporting U.S.-manufactured vehicles in 1988, and now exports U.S.-manufactured vehicles to 21 countries and regions around the world, including Canada and Mexico. Such exports, totaling approximately 85,000 units in 2011, are expected to increase to more than 130,000 units in 2012.
© Japan Today
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sfjp330
Basically, Venza is built on Camry platform with the options of choosing from the proven two engines, the 4 cylinder 2.5 litre and the 3.5 litre V6 engine with six speed automatic transmission. Since the gas prices are more expensive in Korea, this full size wagon might be too big. Venza is more expensive than Camry, and will probably sell only few, but if you have a big family, this is a nice car.
OssanAmerica
I hope they don't sell this model in Japan without changing it's name. Sounds like a toilet seat.
Takuma7
Wish Toyota would sale more of the US models. I had to buy my 4Runner (hilux surf) in the US and then have it reshiped back to Japan (it's made in Japan). Still was cheaper the a Landcruser.
titaniumdioxide
South Korea don't like big American style cars. Does Toyota know anything about the SK market?
Elbuda Mexicano
Korea needs to play fair! They need to open up their markets NOW!!
TrentonGaijin
@titaniumdioxide- Ever hear of the Hyundai Eqeuss, Hyundai Genesis, Hyundai Azera, or Kia Amanti? They're all larger than many US-made cars. Can't imagine they sell enough just in the US to justify production, so someone in South Korea must prefer large cars....
Hope this one does better than when Toyota imported the US-made Avalon into Japan. Also a big car, but couldn't compete with Toyota's RWD large sedans (Crown Royale, Crown Majesta, Celsior, etc).
flpat1
Now, a Honda Civic assembled in Japan will cost about the same as a Toyota Venza from USA in South Korea.
flpat1
The USA and South Korea have a free trade agreement in place. Japan and South Korea do not. In Seoul, a Honda Civic from Japan would cost about the same as a Toyota Venza from USA because of the tarrifs put on the Civic. Nationalism aside, do you guys think this is right? This is happening all over the world.
flpat1
That was a point ot the story, folks. Japan and South Korea must sign an FTA. |t is a crime against Mother Earth to ship the car parts 8,000 miles to USA, have them assembled into cars, then ship the cars back 8,000 miles back across the Pacific to sell them in Asia.