Toyota South Africa Motors has launched what will be its cheapest new-vehicle offering in the local market.

The Vitz small car arrives in the country with a starting price of R189 900.

“The reality is that, post-Covid, the average South African consumer is even more cash-strapped than before,” says the local arm of the Japanese carmaker.

“Affordability and low running costs are now very much top of mind for most people when purchasing a new car.”

Toyota says this is evident in the strong growth seen in the domestic small-car market, which includes the A, sub-B and B segments, and which now accounts for 64% of the total passenger market, compared with 53% in 2018.

Similar to its forerunners – first the Aygo and then the Agya – the Vitz is also a product of a partnership, this time between Toyota and Suzuki.

Aside from its price tag, Toyota aims to get more people into a Vitz by means of a finance product called Kinto – a pay-for-use mobility solution.

“As society shifts from conventional car ownership to car usage, there is a growing need for a service that allows customers to freely select the Toyota or Lexus that they want to drive and enjoy it as they like, without being tied down to a conventional financing model,” explains the manufacturer.

Kinto is the single Toyota brand for mobility solutions around the world.

Initially, Kinto South Africa will debut with Kinto One, a pay-for-use service available through all Toyota and Lexus dealers that offer customers the ability to drive a vehicle of their choice, including financing and depreciation costs; all scheduled services and maintenance, as well as warranty items for the contract period; connected car services, such as WiFi and telematics; a vehicle tracking device; and initial licence and registration fees.

Kinto Protect Limited Liability offers peace of mind in the event of an accident.

“In a nutshell then, Kinto One is the ultimate mobility solution, combining the use of the vehicle, service and maintenance in one monthly transparent payment, with no additional hidden fees when you return the vehicle at the end of the contract,” says Toyota.