Toyota Motor Corp. on Tuesday released a new 1.8-liter sport utility vehicle, the first auto jointly planned and designed with General Motors Corp.
Toyota's Voltz will be assembled at New United Motor Manufacturing Inc. in California and sold in Japan. Toyota has manufactured its Corolla at that plant since 1986.
Sales of the Voltz began in the United States in January as GM's Pontiac Vibe.
"This is a very unique car with a different taste that Toyota cars haven't had," Toyota President Fujio Cho said at a media preview.
Toyota was responsible for development of the car, which is targeted at young customers.
"Our relationship is approaching almost 20 years," said Mark Hogan, a GM group vice president and NUMMI board member. "We've come to understand each other's culture and come to work more productively."
Hogan added that the Pontiac Vibe has seen monthly sales of 6,000 units in the U.S.
"We've maintained a good relationship with GM, and this car will serve to extend that further," Cho said.
Toyota targets monthly sales of 1,500 units in Japan. The Voltz is priced between 1.78 million yen and 2.05 million yen.