In a time of global economic and financial crisis, Toyota is counting on the rich Chinese market to get its recreational boat segment back on track.
Toyota Motor Corp presented its new luxury yacht, the Ponam-35, intended precisely for the wealthiest classes of the People's Republic, one of the few countries able to face the high yen in recent months with a smile on their lips. The 11-metre boat, which can accommodate up to 12 people, is, according to the manufacturer, an ideal model for cruises and fishing expeditions. The Ponam-35, whose name is inspired by the Maori word waipounamu (meaning whale) features a high performance aluminum alloy hull, a new 4.5 liter diesel engine derived from the Toyota Land Cruiser SUV and operability achieved thanks to an automotive-inspired technology.
The price is 59 million yen, equivalent to 540 thousand euros. A respectable figure for the pockets of Western boat enthusiasts, but tiny motes for Beijing's billionaires.
http://www.japantoday.com/category/picture-of-the-day/view/toyota-cruiser http://www.thechinatimes.com/online/2011/09/1163.html
