Altis Movements

Starting the year in full throttle, Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) is the first local carmaker to introduce a new model to the market this year. Launched January 9 amid the usual wine-and-dine/stunning-models-in-gowns pomp at the poolside of the Westin Philippine Plaza was the 2004 Toyota Corolla Altis.

Apparently, the Altis’s early introduction is an indication the company is riding high these days. And with good reason. You see Toyota emerged as the country’s top-seller last year, besting its competitors in the passenger car and commercial vehicle categories. The result is the carmaker topping the overall total vehicle sales chart. For two consecutive years running at that.

Moreover, Toyota posted a 30-percent market share last year, reportedly the highest figure achieved by a manufacturer in nearly a decade. Globally, Toyota Motor Corporation — with all its subsidiaries worldwide — became the second largest carmaker in the world, topped only by American giant General Motors.

Little wonder then, that TMP president Nobuharu Tabata is bullish of the local company’s prospects this year. In his speech during the Altis’s launch, he said 2003 was very trying for the country’s automotive industry indeed, citing both global events and domestic issues as factors that affected their business.

"(But) despite the odds, the automotive market in 2003 has managed to remain upbeat and posted an encouraging growth of eight percent in total sales," he said. "As we look forward to 2004, we are optimistic that the automotive industry will sustain its growth on its way to total recovery," Tabata continued.

Tabata also outlined some of the company’s plans this year, presumably in an effort to retain Toyota’s position in the market. He said one of these is by continuing "to develop and introduce new vehicles that will address the dynamic needs of our different markets".

Needless to say, the latest Altis is one such vehicle.

The 2004 Altis gets new multi-reflector headlamps, a redesigned front grille, as well as new bumper styling and foglamps. The result is a subtly freshened-up exterior that mimics the Camry’s elegantly simple yet dynamic look. The new 15-inch alloys are welcome additions too.

Inside, the latest Altis’s leather seat material now has small perforations that gives it a more detailed, finished look, and the driver’s seat is now power-operated, which can be adjusted in eight different ways. The car’s luxoride-requisite woodgrain trim sports a darker hue, a welcome change from the previous model’s trim which appears too orange to pass off as wood — even faux wood, for that matter. Some of the shiny trimmings like the ones found on the "gate-type" automatic shift lever appears more subdued also. Meanwhile, the nifty Optitron instrument panel, which lights up the dash even in bright sunshine, is still present on the new Altis.

Other stuff offered in the new car that weren’t available in the previous model are the electrically-retractable side mirrors, a highly convenient feature, and front and rear parking sensors that assists the driver in determining how close the car is to another object, contact to which may not be wanted.

The new Altis is still powered by Toyota’s VVT-i-equipped engine, which offers a balance between performance and fuel efficiency — not to mention cleaner emissions. Toyota’s electronic fuel injection, direct ignition, electronic brake force distribution and anti-lock brake systems complete the Altis’s high-tech package that consumers expect in cars these days. In terms of safety features, the car has a GOA-certified body, side-impact door beams, a head impact protection structure, whiplash injury-lessening front seats, collapsible steering wheel, anti-intrusion brake pedal and dual SRS airbags. In other words, the Altis can boast of having all the safety stuff modern cars should have.

Of course, another thing the Altis can brag about is the fact that it is the best-selling sedan in the market last year. Meanwhile, its siblings like the Camry, Vios and Revo likewise emerged as top-sellers in their respective categories as well. Which prompted Tabata to say in his speech: "I hope you will all excuse me for not being humble tonight."

The 2004 1.8G A/T Altis sells for P899,000; the 1.8E at P848,000; the 1.6E A/T and M/T at P770,000 and P735,000 respectively; and 1.6J