TRD has been involved in developing high performance parts and accessories as well as supporting motorsports activities for 50 years

In the near future, UMW Toyota Motor (UMWT) will be offering TRD accessories to Toyota owners who want to give their car a sportier feel and do not wish to compromise on the high quality standards that Toyota vehicles are so noted for. Although TRD accessories have been available through private importers and tuning centres for years, this is the first time that they will be sold by the official Toyota distributor and will come with full after-sales support and warranty.

Furthermore, UMW Toyota Motor has signed an agreement with TRD Asia, based in Thailand, for technical collaboration in the development and local manufacture of selected TRD accessories which will become OEM (Original Equipment Manufacture) items. Some of the accessories, such as bodykits, may also be exclusively designed for the Malaysian market. As many accessories are made of plastic which carries a high import tax, local manufacture will help to reduce prices, making their more affordable for customers. Initially, the accessories will come from Thailand and Japan.

Some of the TRD Sportivo accessories UMWT is evaluating for sale in the near future

At this time, UMWT is finalizing the range of accessories to offer and during a media preview yesterday, items such as sports suspension kits, radiator and fuel filler caps, air filter, gearshift knob, alloy rims, racing seats, exhaust muffler and a bodykit were displayed. These accessories are from the TRD Sportivo range which has been specially tested in Southeast Asian conditions to ensure durability and reliability. Like Toyota vehicles and Toyota Genuine Parts, the TRD Sportivo accessories are said to be made to the same superior quality standards.

Sports seats may also be offered

Initially, the accessories offered will be for the Vios, the company’s most popular model and one which appeals to younger buyers. It’s a good move to provide such buyers with TRD accessories since it satisfies their desires for sportier looks and performance, adding zest to the Toyota image which younger buyers often feel is conservative.

In preparation for the launch of TRD accessories in Malaysia in early 2009, UMWT and TRD Asia are developing a TRD Vios Concept car which will be shown to the public at various events.

TRD also offers high-performance items like racing camshafts, turbochargers, etc but UMWT will not be selling these. It’s understandable that there is a reluctance to sell such products because of the uncertainty of  the conditions they will be subjected to which, in some cases, could lead to engine failure. In this instance, it would be hard for a manufacturer to provide a warranty and therefore such items are usually sold as after-market products through other channels.
 

Latest Fortuner SUV has a TRD Sportivo package

An important issue for UMWT is the installation of the accessories; if they are sold individually and customers take them away for installation elsewhere, there is no assurance that the work will be done properly, leading to problems such as rattles or cracks. If UMWT installs it, then they have specific procedures and tools for the work and would also adhere to the same high QC standards used for vehicle assembly.

According to K.H. Kuah, MD of UMWT, the matter is still being studied and the company will try to accommodate customers’ requirements in the best possible way. He added that the price of the accessories is still not finalized but a figure of around RM5,000 was mentioned for the bodykit plus a few other items (but not the racing seats and alloy wheels).

Initially, UMWT will focus on TRD Sportivo accessories for the Vios and this shows the proposed bodykit (the parts will be painted to match the body colour, of course)

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