BORNEO Motors Singapore's introduction of the popular Toyota Wish MPV could have come earlier. But the authorised Toyota and Lexus distributor hopes to use the launch as part of a plan to win over consumers to the next-generation Wish.

The compact multi-purpose vehicle is now officially available from Borneo Motors, which has collected more than 300 orders since April and will start deliveries this month.

Since the launch of the Wish in 2003 in Japan, parallel importers here have offered it and have sold more than 14,000 units so far. Until the Honda Stream was introduced in 2007, the Wish was the No 1 parallel import model.

After reportedly long negotiations, Borneo Motors was only able to get the seven-seater model into its showrooms this year. According to Toshihiro Oi, chief engineer of Toyota's product planning division, this was because of high demand in Japan.

'Technically speaking, we can sell the Wish anywhere. But in Japan, demand for MPVs is increasing,' said Mr Oi, who was in Singapore last week for the launch of the Wish.

The Borneo Motors model is called the Wish Aero Tourer. Priced at $74,388, its standard equipment includes 15-inch alloy wheels, a touch-screen DVD audio set, reverse camera, body kit, side mirror indicators and illuminated scuff plates, among other things.

The company expects to sell more than 2,000 units this year.

While some parallel importers may offer a similar package for less, Borneo Motors says that its product has a unique selling point - an unusually long three-plus-two-year warranty. There is a standard three-year factory warranty, plus an extra two years from Borneo Motors.

Although the ageing Wish is likely to have only about 12 months more to go before it is replaced, Borneo Motors sees the current model giving it a chance to tap the pool of Wish buyers.

The next Wish isn't likely to grow much, despite a third row of seats sized mainly for children and small adults.

'The size of the Wish is not too big and not too small,' said Mr Oi. 'Its size strikes the best balance, especially in urban areas like Japan.'

It definitely would not do to change a winning formula. Last year, Toyota sold 85,200 units of the Wish in Japan. In Taiwan, the number was 11,760.

And in Thailand, where the model is assembled locally, 2,040 were sold, with a further 1,080 sent to Malaysia.

The 1.8-litre Wish for the Singapore market comes from Japan.

'The sedan market has matured in many countries and people start to look for more variety,' said Mr Oi, when asked to explain the popularity of the Wish.

'The size is about the same as a sedan but more people can sit in it, so that is why sales are increasing.'

Its styling is also another factor, he said. 'Minivans in the past looked like commercial vehicles, but we started to create something with a high-grade feel like a sedan car and which is more comfortable.'

This article was first published in The Business Times on Jun 4, 2008.