Stealing thunder from its key brand competitors just days before a much-awaited product launch is becoming the norm over at Toyota Motor Philippines.
As they have with the local launch of the
Raize
and
Avanza
(which stole the limelight from the
Geely Emgrand
and
Mitsubishi Xpander
respectively), the carmaker is at it again and this time they’re teasing the “newest member of its compact SUV line-up” just two days before the launch of the
all-new Honda HR-V
.
So far, Toyota Motor Philippines has yet to provide any official info on what this new compact SUV could be, but a quick photo shop of the teaser video (see below) reveals the all-new Veloz’s silhouette. A front shot of the Indonesian market Veloz is shown side-by-side for reference.
If it is indeed the all-new Veloz, it confirms two things.
First is that Toyota Motor Philippines will spin off the Veloz as a model separate from the Avanza; a move that’s very similar to the Avanza/Veloz’s home market of Indonesia. This could give Toyota more leeway to price and position the Veloz in the marketplace, perhaps in an “interlocking” strategy with the Avanza. Moreover, with the Avanza lacking features such as Toyota Safety Sense, the carmaker could use the Veloz as a platform to introduce the said tech into this segment.
Second, by calling the Veloz as a “compact SUV,” it could mean the end for the Rush which is supposed to be positioned as their 7-seater small SUV. With the Rush now long-in-the-tooth, this is perhaps an ingenious way for Toyota to counter the arrival of the all-new Honda BR-V and the refreshed Mitsubishi Xpander Cross. Again, looking at the Indonesian market, the Rush is still available albeit the variants have been significantly trimmed down to just two, including a GR Sport variant.
The whispers over at Toyota Motor Philippines has the all-new Veloz’s retail launch on April 22, 2022. It is said to also come in two variants: the G and V (no Q), and it will come in four colors: White Pearl, Dark Red, Black Mica, and Purplish Silver
If this is true, then the wait won’t be long for this new so-called compact SUV.
Keyword: Is Toyota Motor PH Teasing The All-New 2022 Veloz?