Toyota hybrids in Thailand

I'm in Thailand right now. As far as I can tell, Toyota doesn't import any hybrids into Thailand (Bangkok air pollution could certainly benefit from them), but apparently they don't have any pesky agencies like DOT, NHTSA, or EPA to prevent grey-market imports. Here is a company I found on Ratchadapisek Road that imports Toyota models not sold by Toyota Thailand.

The two minivans are the Alphard and Estima. The Estima looks a lot smaller from the outside than it is, maybe because it is not tall it looks to be close to the same size as a Matrix. It really looks too small for a third row of seats but apparently it does have them. The Alphard looks like a much larger vehicle.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TonyPSchaefer @ Jul 26 2007, 11:30 PM) [snapback]485929[/snapback]</div>

Are they advertising 79mpg on the Prius? Why isn't everything written in Thai? Is it snob appeal or is there a practical reason?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(priusenvy @ Jul 26 2007, 11:25 PM) [snapback]485926[/snapback]</div>

I will sell my Sienna if they will sell a minivan hybrid here in the US. I guess I have to wait a few more years.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(priusenvy @ Jul 26 2007, 11:25 PM) [snapback]485926[/snapback]</div>

I will sell my 06 Sienna if they will sell a minivan hybrid here in the US. I guess I have to wait a few more years.
I wonder if the hybrid's price is competitive just like the Prius here in the us.

Wow, they've even got neon signs in the windows touting the models.
.
WHEN is Toyota going to jump through the hoops and bring those to
the US already?! WHEN??!?! What the F are they thinking by not
catering to the HUGE market these vehicles would enjoy here?? It's
not like they couldn't do the necessary emissions/safety adaptation
for US standards -- Toyota can clearly do that in their sleep by now.
.
_H*

I think they realize that the Estima would only attract a small niche audience, as the Estima is significantly smaller than the Sienna, and smaller than the size that most American minivan buyers expect and require.

Better to wait a year or two and bring the right vehicle to market than bring in a temporary stop-gap model that only has limited appeal, and might alienate/confuse buyers when the Sienna is brought in a short time later.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(priusenvy @ Sep 3 2007, 09:33 AM) [snapback]506008[/snapback]</div>

O.M.G., the Previas/Estima are huge to my eyes! How large a van do you guys really need! (I hesitate even to call them minivans). I suppose carpooling has really taken off and you take 7-8 others to work with you on the daily commute? Otherwise, its hard for me to imagine a Previa not being more than ample for most families. :lol:

They have been around here for many years and are perhaps the most popular peoplemovers on the road, so I'm not sure Toyota would ever view them as a stopgap. B)

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(samiam @ Sep 2 2007, 02:59 PM) [snapback]506017[/snapback]</div>

Most Americans are morbidly obese due to eating super-sized high-fat high-sodium meals at fast food restaurants such as McDonalds. The Siena sold in the USA is a foot longer and seven inches wider than the Estima, and the extra size is needed to cart around your typical fat-assed American.

I meant stopgap for the USA. When Toyota rushed to bring minivans to the US market before with their models designed for the Japanese market in the mid-80s (that narrow, mid-engined thing), rather than models designed specifically for the US market, they probably set themselves back a few years. There were a lot of dissatisfied owners and their reputation was damaged.

Stopgap? "Right size"?? Do you have ANY idea how many PT Cruisers
are RIGHT NOW being used as work-trucks? Don't hand me that.
.
_H*

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hobbit @ Sep 3 2007, 07:17 PM) [snapback]506596[/snapback]</div>

Yep, PT Cruisers look big on the outside but are tiny on the inside. I think Toyota should make all models availiable here...

The Alphard and Estima kind of look like Mazda 5's.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Sep 3 2007, 10:59 AM) [snapback]506360[/snapback]</div>

I just got back from a business trip to Bangkok, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Shenzhen. Saw one Prius the whole time, in HK. Saw hundreds of the JDM Odyssey's, and really like the size of them. I think the Toyota Picnic is the competition and that also looks like a great sized car that seats 6. I don't understand why Toyota won't hybridize something like the Picnic, an already existing model, bring it to the West and kick some butt.

Are those side marker lights on the fenders of the Prius? Hard to tell with the graphics.