I saw that a brand new Toyota avanza costs arround 14k euros in Indonesia.
This seems very cheap for me. For sure toyota saves on some parts so that the Cars can be Sold more cheaper over there.
Does anyone know how these Toyota can be sold so cheap in Indonesia?
So it’s a Toyota. It may look like your Toyota, it may feel like your Toyota and it may have Toyota quality and last 20 years. But if you are an American, the Avanza is nothing you would want for the American roads. Cars are built and designed for each specific market. The market in the developing world does not have the same requirements as those in the developed world. Toyota has to cut costs and features to fit the demands of the local market.
How many people in the developing world will spend $60k on a car when it take the average person a lifetime to earn that? Not many. Even the upper middle class would not be able to afford it. In order to produce a quality vehicle at the lower price point, manufacturers cut features and capabilities. The add fewer inputs to the cars.
So for example, my Highlander has almost 300 hp. A Jetta which is a small American sedan has just around 158 hp. By contrast the much larger Avanza which is a van has just 105 hp. That’s less than 2/3 the engine capability of a much smaller vehicle. So while the engine on this van will work, it’d take forever to take it from 0-60mph.
Speed limit in Indonesia is 100 kmh, and unless you are on toll roads, the motorcycles won’t let you go higher than 50 kph.
Exactly like they said. Cars are designed for their area. My car has tons more power than Euro or Asian models because the roads are wide and distances far.
This is kinda perfect for Toyota’s low cost version of the Yaris van. Buyers especially won’t pay for the extra horsepower if they can’t use it.
Yup, and you don’t need the advanced safety system since you don’t go very fast, and this reduces the cost too.
My Suburban had 130 hp 30 years ago, and it’s okay in the city. The highways going up hills it has trouble with, but I’ve had other redditors tell me that highways don’t get as steep as the highways in my area are.
The Toyota Avanza has between 2/3 and 3/4 the power I do, but weighs half as much. Assuming gearing is good, it’ll be enough to keep up with city traffic.
Internationally speaking, a car that has “trouble” going up hills is far more acceptable elsewhere than it is in North America.
My 4Runner “has trouble” going up hills. Only 150 HP and takes a longer time to accelerate to traffic speeds.
The fact is most new cars these days (in US) can do 0-60 under 8 seconds and have like the equivalent of 250 HP- while being pretty comfy.