Team-BHP - View Single Post

Samurai · 21st February 2005, 13:27

This weekend I was visiting a relative who happens to be a Toyota executive. He was talking about new Innova and how good it is, etc. It is supposed to be unveiled on 24th. All the trims and prices will be revealed on that day.

But I asked him a question that was bugging me for a while. Why did Toyota withdraw Qualis which was doing so well in it's segment? Obviously Innova is at a different price range and segment. Why did Toyota let go the bird in hand for a bird that's on the tree.

May be some of you already know the answer, however it was good to get the fact from the source. He said Toyota was sick of being branded as Taxi vehicle provider. They didn't want to compete with Ambassadors and Omnis anymore. They wanted parity with their main rival Honda. They want to eat into Honda City market share in C segment. They are so serious about it, they are ready to sacrifice their revenue and lead in taxi cars in order to get back their image as premium car provider, like the Honda.

Personally, I think Innova will hurt Scorpio more than anything else. NHC being a 5 seat sedan isn't competing in the same segment as a 8 seater Innova.

21st February 2005, 13:27	#1 (permalink)
Samurai Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: KA-20 Posts: 6,309	Toyota's Image Makeover This weekend I was visiting a relative who happens to be a Toyota executive. He was talking about new Innova and how good it is, etc. It is supposed to be unveiled on 24th. All the trims and prices will be revealed on that day. But I asked him a question that was bugging me for a while. Why did Toyota withdraw Qualis which was doing so well in it's segment? Obviously Innova is at a different price range and segment. Why did Toyota let go the bird in hand for a bird that's on the tree. May be some of you already know the answer, however it was good to get the fact from the source. He said Toyota was sick of being branded as Taxi vehicle provider. They didn't want to compete with Ambassadors and Omnis anymore. They wanted parity with their main rival Honda. They want to eat into Honda City market share in C segment. They are so serious about it, they are ready to sacrifice their revenue and lead in taxi cars in order to get back their image as premium car provider, like the Honda. Personally, I think Innova will hurt Scorpio more than anything else. NHC being a 5 seat sedan isn't competing in the same segment as a 8 seater Innova. __________________ Samurai The notchy gearshift of GV has become buttery smooth after I started driving the Jeep.