The new Toyota Vios might be called ‘Vios Ativ’ in PH, and will be a hybrid

Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) gave everyone a surprise when it teased the arrival of the much-awaited and long overdue next-generation of the country’s best-selling vehicle, the Vios subcompact sedan.

There’s also a lot of speculation as to how TMP plans to sell this model in our market, such as with its name and possible electrification. Clues point to both, with the teaser image hinting at electrification and the name ‘Ativ’ being used for our market, instead of the long-running and well-loved ‘Vios’ name alone.

READ: The new Toyota Vios is FINALLY coming to PH as a hybrid, is it going to be called the Ativ?

Well, the hybrid version is definitely coming, as it’s not only hinted at by the teaser, but has also appeared on the Department of Energy’s List of Recognized Hybrid Vehicles. And something new to speculate? It might be called the ‘Vios Ativ.’

Why, you ask? Among the speculations is that TMP will not stop production and sales of the current third generation of the subcompact sedan, and instead will make the DNGA-based Yaris Ativ a completely-built up (CBU) import, possibly from Thailand, and complementing the existing Vios lineup.

TMP has done a similar route with the locally-assembled second generation Innova, while the newer third generation is imported and sold as a more premium offering with the name Zenix, while being badged as the ‘Innova Zenix.’ 

As mentioned, there’s also the possibility of it being known simply as the ‘Ativ’ based on what TMP has already done. A look at the DOE’s list shows that the Zenix was listed as the ‘Innova Zenix.’

Whatever name the fourth-generation Toyota Vios goes for, we’re happy that it’s finally coming because again, it’s about damn time.

_{Photo from Toyota}