Foreign sport utility vehicles rush to run on Taiwan roads

Taipei, Nov. 23, 2004 (CENS)--To cash in on the booming demand for sport utility vehicles (SUVs) in Taiwan, more and more foreign auto brands are poised to hit the local market .

Sanyang Industry Co., Ltd., a local maker of Hyundai car models, recently introduced the imported Santa Fe 2,400cc SUV model. Industry sources said that Sanyang's move is to further boost the Hyundai brand image in Taiwan and pave the way for its locally produced Tucson SUV model to be debuted in the first quarter next year.

Sanyang priced the imported 2,400cc Santa Fe at only NT$848,000 (US$25,854 at US$1: NT$32.8) per unit, close to the price for the locally produced 2,000cc SUV model, to boost its competitiveness. Sanyang also plans to introduce the 2,700cc four-wheel-drive (4WD) model into the island.

According to Sanyang, the locally produced Tucson will be priced at only NT$650,000 to NT$800,000 (US$19,817 to US$24,390) per unit. The new model will further enrich Hyundai's SUV product line in Taiwan.

Land Rover Taiwan recently also introduced its 2005 Range Rover model. The new-year version is equipped with some high-end equipment such as wireless cameras, 4WD driving information system, and aluminum V8 engine etc., and is priced at NT$4.55 million (US$138,719). Land Rover Taiwan said that the new Range Rover is expected to further consolidate Rover's leading position in the luxury SUV segment.

Volvo Car Taiwan introduced the 2005 XC-70 SUV, which is priced at NT$1.8 million (US$54,878) per unit, after its larger-counterpart XC-90 enjoyed hot sales this year. Volvo Car Taiwan expects to sell about 1,8000 imported Volvos this year.