Toyota To Increase Exports. From Europe

Bertel Schmitt
by Bertel Schmitt

Toyota plans to more than double its exports to South Korea to 20,700 vehicles this year, says The Nikkei [sub]. The cars come from places that used to be import nations for Toyota: The U.S. and Europe. After announcing plans to export U.S.-built cars to South Korea, Toyota now is looking to bringing made-in-Europe cars back to Asia.

The strong yen has made Japan-assembled cars uncompetitive in South Korea, whereas the relatively soft Euro makes imports from Europe interesting Toyota Korea Chief Tommy H. Nakabayashi told the Nikkei today.

The deals received extra energy from South Korea’s free-trade agreements with Europe and the U.S. The agreements will eliminate tariff barriers between the signatories. Toyota is expected to bring small diesel sedans from Europe, where they sell well.

Bertel Schmitt
Bertel Schmitt

Bertel Schmitt comes back to journalism after taking a 35 year break in advertising and marketing. He ran and owned advertising agencies in Duesseldorf, Germany, and New York City. Volkswagen A.G. was Bertel's most important corporate account. Schmitt's advertising and marketing career touched many corners of the industry with a special focus on automotive products and services. Since 2004, he lives in Japan and China with his wife <a href="http://www.tomokoandbertel.com"> Tomoko </a>. Bertel Schmitt is a founding board member of the <a href="http://www.offshoresuperseries.com"> Offshore Super Series </a>, an American offshore powerboat racing organization. He is co-owner of the racing team Typhoon.

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 3 comments
  • Lutecia Lutecia on Feb 21, 2012

    I wonder where the US Yaris are sourced from? It would be quite funny if Toyota was switching to the French plant.

  • Charly Charly on Feb 21, 2012

    Has it not more to do with import duties if they import from Japan but not if the import from the EU or USA

    • Lorenzo Lorenzo on Feb 22, 2012

      Those import duties outside of a free trade zone have to be huge to neutralize cost of manufacture in Europe. I imagine it's less so in the U.S., since the weakening dollar and recession are making American manufacturing more competitive.

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