Toyota Motor Corp. said Wednesday it will release the midsize Avensis on the domestic market in the fall.
The Avensis, made at a plant in Britain, will be the first European-made Toyota model to be sold in Japan.
Toyota plans to release both sedan and wagon models, hoping the European-style car will attract Japanese customers, according to Kazushi Iwatsuki, executive vice president in charge of domestic marketing.
"The British operation's expertise in manufacturing will be improved by making cars for Japanese customers, who are most particular about product quality," he said.
The Avensis, which features an engine displacement of 2,000cc, was redesigned and launched in Europe in March. At an exchange rate of 190 yen to £1, it retails in Britain for 2.7 million yen to 4.1 million yen, according to Toyota.
European sales have been brisk, according to Takis Athanasopoulos, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Toyota Motor Marketing Europe.
He said Toyota has sold 35,000 in Europe and hopes to sell 130,000 on an annual basis.
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