@Toyota: Toyota Tsusho Propels Toyota Compact Car Sales, Anticipating Expansion of the Middle-Class Market in Africa- First Step for Collaboration with Suzuki in Africa –

Toyota Tsusho Corporation (“Toyota Tsusho”) announces that it will start sales of Toyota Starlet, a compact car under the Toyota brand in the African market, with the OEM supply from Suzuki Motor Corporation (“Suzuki”) in India. Sales will be initiated in South Africa from mid-September of this year. Sales will then be successively expanded to 47 countries in Africa.

In January 2019, all sales and marketing operations for Africa were transferred from Toyota Motor Corporation (“Toyota”) to Toyota Tsusho. The OEM supply from Suzuki is based on an agreement between Toyota and Suzuki that was agreed upon in March 2019.

In anticipation of the middle-class population growth in Africa in the near future, Toyota Tsusho is going to boost its sales and after-sales services for compact cars by leveraging Toyota brand sales channels throughout Africa. In addition to the cooperation in sales of the Toyota Starlet, Toyota Tsusho will engage in further coordination with Suzuki going forward. To respond to a wide range of needs from customers, Toyota Tsusho plans to expand the lineup of compact cars of a wide range of body types, from SUVs to sedans.

Moreover, in order to enhance sales of Toyota vehicles in the African market, Toyota Tsusho will continue to reinforce its relationship with Suzuki and offer high-quality and affordable compact cars and services to customers in Africa with the aim of contributing to the development of a mobility society in Africa.