Toyota has been battling for long for the most selling global manufacturer and now is its intensifying its focus on the same. To start with the company is planning to enter the compact SUV segment or you can also say the MUV segment, currently the is only one major player in this segment which is Renault Duster. This new segment is getting a lot of attention from global manufacturers and it is not surprising that now Toyota is considering the same.
Toyota Compact SUV & Mid-Size Sedan For India
Sources though reluctant, have disclosed a little bit of information that confirms the company has already started conducting feasibility studies in our country not only for an SUV but a mid-sized sedan as well. The SUV will compete with Duster and upcoming vehicles such as Ford EcoSport and yet to be named models from Volkswagen, Hyundai and Honda. The sedan will be equally important to the manufacturer as it will fit in the gap present between Toyota Corolla Altis and Toyota Etios. The sedan will compete with cars like Volkswagen Vento, Hyundai Verna Fluidic, Honda City and Skoda Rapid.
image – Toyota Avalon
One of the person related to the project said,
“After acquiring customers for its Etios and Liva, there is a big price gap of Rs 2 to Rs 4 lakh between the Etios and Corolla and the Etios and Innova (a multi purpose vehicle); these are the gaps Toyota is keen to address.”
Recently in Japan, Toyota officially announced of eight new sub-compact models that it plans to bring by the year 2015. Of the eight models the first one is already present in the domestic market, Toyota Etios.
When inquired about any such plans, Sandeep Singh, deputy MD, marketing, Toyota Kirloskar did not talk in specific about the models but his statement confirmed about India being one of the major emerging markets for Toyota.
“Those models are for emerging markets; India is going to play the most important role, but which models, which vehicles those decisions are not yet taken,” he said.
While many have been speculating about Toyota Kirloskar to bring in Avanza MPV and another MPV based on Etios platform, automobile experts believe that Toyota could bring its SUV Toyota Rush as it will be a strong competition to EcoSport and Duster.
Toyota Ramps Up Engine Production In India
Another news regarding this Japanese major says it will commence production of engines at its Bangalore facility from August 2012. The same news has also been confirmed by Deputy Managing Director of Toyota Kirloskar, Mr. Shekar Viswanathan who confirmed that the manufacturing will start from August 2012 at the new Engine plant at Bangalore in India. The company is expecting to roll out 1 lakh engines for its cars and 2.4 lakh transmission units from the facility, annually.
