The Auto-Parts Export Center of Toyota Motor Vietnam Co. (TMV) has reported its 2008 exports of about US$25 million, up 10% year-on-year, taking to over US$92 million the total amount in 4.5 years since the center’s start-up.

The items the center now exports to Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, India, Argentina, South Africa, Venezuela, Taiwan and Pakistan are electric control EGR valves, antennas and accelerator pedals.

In these markets, Toyota’s international multipurpose vehicles (IMV) are being produced. In addition to these vehicles, TMV’s export products are used for Vios, Yaris, Altis and Hiace, according to the company.

The auto-parts export center, which was commissioned in the northern province of Vinh Phuc in 2004 as the first such facility to be established by an automaker in Viet Nam, outsources contracts to local companies to manufacture auto parts, then labels the products and finally ships them to overseas assembly plants where IMVs are made.

For the automaker, its 2008 auto sales reached more than 24,500 units, growing 22% year-on-year and making up 23% of the market. It continued maintaining the leading position in the auto market last year.

The seven-seat Innova is the major driver for the firm’s 2008 sales growth. This brand has been the best-seller for three consecutive years after its January 2006 launch. Toyota sold about 14,950 Innova cars last year, bringing the accumulated sales figure so far to 37,310 units.

Akito Tachibana has replaced Nobuhiko Murakami as new president of Toyota Motor Viet Nam.

With 23 years working in Toyota Motor Corporation, Tachibana has previous experiences in various fields such as: used car statistics, product commercialization, marketing and sales planning, budget management, corporate strategy, accounting and finance, and product planning for overseas markets, especially in North America.