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Shanghai, September 12, 2008; Toyota RAV4, Toyota’s A-level SUV, will be produced in China by the first half of 2009 on FAW-Toyota’s production line, said Information Times yesterday, citing dealers of Guangzhou FAW-Toyota.

Early last year a Japanese report said the latest Toyota RAV4 would be introduced to FAW-Toyota for production by 2009 after the joint venture got approval from China’s auto industry regulator to produce this SUV with annual capacity at 42,000 units.

The RAV4, which shares the same platform with Corolla, is a smart mini SUV. The current imported model in the China market is the third-generation RAV4 with standard and luxury versions, both powered by the same 2.4LVVT-I engine with Camry.

Since it was introduced to China many years ago, RAV4 has been acclaimed as a good brand and has seen stable sales. Once locally produced, the RAV4 will rival Dongfeng Honda’s CR-V directly, said FAW-Toyota’s dealers.

FAW-Toyota sources declined to reveal the price of the upcoming Chinese-made RAV4 SUV.