Toyota Innova Joins Proton Exora For TEKS1M Duty

The second MPV model deemed fit by the Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) to be fit for TEKSI 1Malaysia (TEKS1M) duty is the Toyota Innova.

Update: The new TEKS1M Toyota Innova has been launched at the One World Hotel, where SPAD chairman YBhg Tan Sri Dato Seri Dr. Syed Hamid Albar handed a replica car key to Public Cab Managing Director Yap Choon Lai, with UMW Toyota Motor President Datuk Ismet Suki also in attendance.

We have also updated this post to include a gallery of the Toyota Innova TEKS1M, which you can find below. 

The announcement reported by The Star is a far cry from SPAD’s initial ruling two years ago that only allowed the Proton Exora to be used for TEKS1M, which attracted a lot of protests and claims of anti-competition.

On July 3, SPAD chairman Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar said the Commission had reviewed its earlier ruling that only the Exora be used for TEKS1M. “We are now open to other vehicles, provided they are Malaysian-made,” he said.

In Malaysia, the Toyota Innova is sold with a 2.0-litre engine and its safety suite includes ABS, dual SRS airbag for driver and front passenger, and head impact protection. When put to service, the vehicle will follow the current Exora TEKS1M’s golden brown paint scheme.

The Government is aiming for more than 1,500 TEKS1M to operate on the streets of Klang Valley, Johor Baru and Penang by year end as part of efforts to improve taxi services.

Among the requirements for a vehicle intended for TEKS1M duty include more space for baggage and passengers, dedicated air-conditioning vents for passengers, leather seats, credit card readers for cashless transaction, factory-fitted natural gas tanks, GPS-based dispatch system as well as safety features such as passenger airbags.