Toyota dealership Borneo Motors pivots to green energy with more hybrid and electric vehicles

SINGAPORE – A study by the University of Michigan in 1987 found that married couples look increasingly alike. Shared emotions result in closer resemblance as they develop similar wrinkles and expressions.

After partnering Toyota for 58 years, local car dealership Borneo Motors talks like the Japanese carmaker.

Speaking to The Straits Times at the Toyota showroom in Leng Kee Road on Aug 20, Mr Ng Khee Siong, managing director of Borneo Motors, does not differentiate the dealership from the Toyota brand.

Describing Borneo Motors as being “super-aligned” with Toyota’s vision of offering mobility solutions to customers, Mr Ng says the range of technologies that the carmaker has globally – from fully electric models to hydrogen fuel cell cars to petrol-hybrids – puts the brand in good stead to satisfy varied customer demands.

This echoes the message from Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda that the company is not limiting itself to any single solution in its bid to reduce carbon emissions.

The Japanese auto giant has been credited for popularising the concept of the petrol-hybrid car. Borneo Motors launched the first-generation Prius in Singapore in 2002, five years after the model was put on sale in Japan.

Today, there are numerous petrol-electric hybrid models from various car brands on the market. Notably, Chinese brand BYD, after selling exclusively electric vehicle (EV) models in Singapore, recently joined the fray here with its first petrol-hybrid model.

Mr Ng sees it as confirmation that Toyota’s approach of offering more than a single type of propulsion technology is the right one.

He says: “Toyota has always maintained that we are going for greener energy. In fact, by next year, we will probably have all hybrid or electric vehicles in the line-up, so we are pivoting towards greener energy.”

This suggests that the handful of petrol-only models in the line-up today will be replaced. The majority of models offered by Borneo Motors are already petrol-hybrids, along with one electric car under the Lexus brand.

“If I were to take a step back and look at it, a multi-pathway approach to solve the different needs of the consumer is the way to go. So, a brand that is strong in EV expanding into hybrid is recognition that you need multiple weapons or tools, because customers need choices that suit their needs.”

On the horizon, Borneo Motors will launch the Toyota bZ4X in 2026. This is the facelifted version of the car that ST reviewed in late 2022 but was never officially sold, as it was intended to be exclusively available on a car-sharing service that never came to fruition.

The relationship between Borneo Motors and Toyota is fruitful – the dealer has consistently been one of the top-performing authorised car distributors in Singapore. In recent years, however, the dealer ceded the No. 1 position to others: Mercedes-Benz in 2022 and BYD in 2024.

But if cars registered by unofficial importers were included in the count, Toyota was still the No. 1 brand in 2022 and 2024.

As at the end of 2024, there were slightly over 207,000 Toyota vehicles – cars, vans and buses. This represents one in five motor vehicles on Singapore roads, making Toyota the most common automotive brand around.

Mr Ng says there will be more vehicles with different types of propulsion technology introduced down the road for both Toyota and Lexus brands to fill gaps in Borneo Motors’ line-up.

On Aug 20, Borneo Motors launched the facelifted Corolla Cross, which is a crossover, and previewed the Noah, a mid-sized multi-purpose vehicle. Both have petrol-hybrid engines.

Although previous generations of the seven-seater have been available through parallel importers, this is the first time the Noah has been officially sold by Borneo Motors.

Borneo Motors has played a significant role in Singapore’s transport system. In 1982, the company brought in the Crown saloon as a taxi. The hardy four-door car was a hit with taxi companies and their drivers.

With 19,000 units in 2006, Toyota held 80 per cent of the total taxi population. The model was retired in 2014, when it did not meet tightening emission standards.

Today’s taxi population is more diverse, with a variety of brands and models, but Toyota continues to be a popular choice. Of note are the generations of the Prius hybrid used by major taxi operators. Borneo is also selling Toyota models to be used for ride-hailing services.

To stay ahead in the face of tough competition, Mr Ng is counting on the legacy and relationships forged over the years with its customers and the carmaker.

“Borneo Motors is Toyota and Toyota is Borneo Motors. This gives us the opportunity to build on the success and accelerate faster.”

Celebrations as Borneo Motors turns 100

Borneo Motors, the distributor of Toyota and Lexus, is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2025 with a series of activities.

Running until Dec 29, Borneo Motors’ showroom in Leng Kee Road will display exhibits presenting the company’s history. One key exhibit is a Toyota Crown taxi, once a common sight in Singapore until the model was retired in 2014.

The dealership also worked with Singapore Polytechnic students to create a cut-up Toyota Corolla Cross for an interactive exhibit that showcases the workings of the brand’s hybrid system.

The kick-off event for the festivities on Aug 20 also officially launched the updated Toyota Corolla Cross and previewed the Noah seven-seater that will be on sale soon.

A special edition of the Lexus LBX compact crossover was also introduced. Limited to 100 units, the LBX Urbanite features yellow elements and black alloy wheels. Till Dec 31, those who complete a Lexus test drive will get a cake created to mark the anniversary.