Toyota India has been quite optimistic and aspirational about the Toyota Etios series (Etios Sedan and Etios Liva Hatchback) of cars right from the time they showcased Etios duo at the Auto Expo 2010. Officially launched in India in December 2010, Toyota Etios sedan and the Liva hatchback which was launched later in June 2011, have together clocked a sales milestone of 1 Lakh (100,000) units. This is a considerable achievement for Toyota India which has gained significant sales volume after the launch of this duo in India. The Etios and Etios Liva both come with petrol and diesel engine options with various trim levels starting at lucrative price points. Etios series also offers optimal safety packages on some mid trims which gives a choice to customers to opt for safety features like airbags etc. which is a very good options for safety conscious buyers as they don’t have to shell out too much money to get the top end variants just for the sake of safety features which is something we appreciate Toyota India for.
Etios sedan sold over 50,000 units in the past financial year 2011-12 which makes it third largest selling sedan in its segment. Etios series of cars is the first ever small car especially developed in India for India and the world by Toyota. Toyota is now sold in India and South Africa (exported from India starting April 2012). The expected export numbers for Etios series in the coming fiscal is about 20,000 units per month for which company will increase its production capacity by making Etios in the second plant also by increase the total capacity of Etios series from 1.2 Lakhs per year to 2.1 lakh per year by early 2013.
Toyota is also working in increasing the localization of Etios from 70% to 90% making it more profitable for them and reducing dependencies on imports. Toyota will also make engine and transmission units for Etios at Toyota Kirloskar Auto parts. In past three years, Toyota India has almost doubled its dealerships from 97 outlets then to 175 outlets now which will be increased to 200 by opening 25 more in semi-urban and rural regions of India for better reach.
Commenting on the occasion Mr. Hiroshi Nakagawa, Managing Director, TKM said
“With the launch of Etios, TKM embarked on a very important and challenging journey and this is an important milestone.”
Check out some more Toyota India News here.
