The Japanese unit of German automaker Volkswagen said Monday the company's first luxury sport utility vehicle, the Touareg, will debut in Japan on Sept. 2.
Volkswagen Group Japan KK hopes the new model will grab a 10 percent share of the luxury SUV market in Japan from other foreign and domestic carmakers, President Tsutomu Umeno said.
The model's sales target is set at 800 units this year and 1,500 units in 2004, Umeno said. In 2002, 15,449 luxury SUVs were sold in Japan, according to the firm.
The Touareg, with an engine displacement of 3,200cc, will list for 4.95 million yen, while the 4,200cc model will be priced at 6.45 million yen.
Volkswagen, which had been specializing in midsize cars, entered high-end markets by introducing the Phaeton large luxury sedan and the Touareg in Europe in 2002.