[volkman10]

Toyota betting on premium models offering better safety, quality in India.

Toyota's two new launches in the next three years will aim at the higher end, where wealthier middle-class Indians want safety and quality rather than just a brash sound system.

Toyota will launch a compact utility vehicle and a sedan - most likely the Vios, to compete with Honda Motor's popular City.

For Lower segments - it could be introducing its mini-car affiliate Daihatsu Motor.

As a brand, Toyota's not expected to play in the lower segment, but it could have an offering from a different name."

Toyota and Daihatsu dominate in Indonesia, another big emerging market. Ishii does not rule out working with Daihatsu to crack India's lower-end car segment, but said there are no immediate plans.

http://auto.economictimes.indiatimes...india/49839719

[jetti]

According to Autocar, Toyota is expected to launch a new version of the Etios twins with a refreshed design but not much change to the mechanicals (which are already quite robust ).

The Toyota Etios hatch and sedan will flaunt an all-new look next year. The cars have been around for five years now and haven’t taken the market by storm, their dull looks being a big deterrent. The new Etioses will get a completely new ‘top hat’ and will bear little resemblance to the robust but boxy shape of the current model. However, it will remain unchanged mechanically.

Source: http://www.autocarindia.com/auto-new...-399184.aspx/0

[amalji]

Originally Posted by jetti

According to Autocar, Toyota is expected to launch a new version of the Etios twins with a refreshed design but not much change to the mechanicals (which are already quite robust ).
Source: http://www.autocarindia.com/auto-new...-399184.aspx/0

In addition to this, I'm eagerly waiting for their new Euro 6 D-4D VGT ( which might come to India with the VIOS ). It churns out peak torque of 205 Nm from as low an rpm as 1400 rpms all the way till 2800 rpms. It should be a delight to drive around in typical indian conditions.

[BraveArc]

Saw the new gen Fortuner in the GulfRun Autoshow held in Kuwait. Looks pretty good. Not as boring as the previous gen model.
They've introduced paddle shifters too.

[volkman10]

Toyota looking at more hybrids.
Hybrid treatment for either Corolla, Vios or even Etios on the cards.

This move has gained more steam because demand and inquires for Toyota’s hybrid cars have gone up by a huge 50 percent, probably due to the recent fracas over diesel powered cars in the capital.

The Corolla is the obvious first port of call. The company only has a hybrid version in the range in Japan, and that’s a bit of a stumbling block, but the car is being developed further to be sold in other markets. And India could be on the list. However, it’s likely to cost a couple of lakhs more, as things stand today

The other option is for Toyota take a longer view and look at launching a hybrid version of the next-gen Vios, slated to be brought to India some time next year. And the Etios, that doesn’t have the volumes yet, is being considered at as well.

http://www.autocarindia.com/auto-new...ds-400816.aspx

[Dry Ice]

Originally Posted by volkman10

This move has gained more steam because demand and inquires for Toyota’s hybrid cars have gone up by a huge 50 percent, probably due to the recent fracas over diesel powered cars in the capital.

Maybe, also due to the exemption of hybrids from the even-odd rule in the capital. Not everyone wants a CNG car.

[RavenAvi]

Toyota is bringing up a new diesel engine plant near Bengaluru which will be able to produce 9,000 units per month, or 1,08,000 units per year, exclusively for the Indian market.

The plant, which sees an investment of Rs.1,100 crores by Toyota, will be formally launched by the Japanese auto major by the third week of June 2016.

"Toyota developed and introduced the new GD series diesel engines in 2015, replacing KD series engines," said a company executive.

"These engines feature the 'economy with superior thermal efficiency combustion' (ESTEC) technology and are concurrently manufactured at Japan, Thailand and now in India.

This engine complies with BS IV/Euro 4 emission standards and can be upgraded to Euro 5 and 6 with minimum investment and lead time. The same engine is already being manufactured in Japan and Thailand to meet Euro 4, 5 and 6 emission standards," he added.

This high-performance, high-technology diesel engine project is the first Toyota diesel engine manufacturing plant in India. The new plant will generate employment for over 500 people and will manufacture engines for local consumption.

In terms of supply chain localization, currently 77 parts are localized through 23 vendors in Phase-1, and a further 65 parts are being localized through 29 vendors covering 35% of all parts, said the company executive.

This is definitely in the right step of increasing localisation content in their made-for-India diesels, and also to produce enough engines to power their current and future offerings in India, most notably the Vios sedan which is scheduled for an Indian launch next year.

This C-segment Honda City competitor saw a facelift being introduced at the Beijing Auto Show recently, and that version is what we could eventually get.

ET

[DicKy]

Toyota looking at TNGA based cars for India, citing that the Indian market has evolved in a short period of time (me think they should have realized it earlier)

Though it makes immense sense for profit and efficiency, Toyota and other companies like VW should take care that each product feels different even if based on the same platform.

http://www.autocarindia.com/auto-new...ia-401848.aspx

For example, in this article it's said that the steering wheel, gearlever and pedals will be the same. C'mon.... Differentiate on the most touched parts. Also the ORVMs wil be the same (Etios and Camry ORVMs looks eerily similar even now)

Personally, I seriously hope that they can bring the CH-R within two years. It will sell on it's styling alone and be Toyota's biggest hit till date.

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

I guess the success of the new Innova Crysta has given them the assurance that the Indian market is ready a pay a premium provided they get reliable, premium and feature packed products in return for their hard earned money. Majority of the bookings are for the top of the line variant.

That said, they better move fast. Crysta is making the Etios twins and the Fortuner look like extremely industrial products in the showroom.

[Sommos]

Toyota plans to move away from using low-cost platforms in India, and switch to the new Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) in upcoming models. According to shifting-gears.com, Toyota also plans to bring more upmarket products to India rather than low-cost, Asia-specific models.

With the brand successfully finding buyers in the premium segment and struggling in the lower segment, Toyota will be working on bringing in cars which could cost over INR 2,000,000 (US$29,703.55). Toyota is not happy with how the Etios twins have fared in India, and have learnt that cost cutting is not the way forward in the market.

This new platform will be similar to the Volkswagen MQB and could be shared across multiple products in various segments.

But to bring such expensive and high end platforms to India, Toyota will need to make heavy investments.

A Toyota rival to the Honda City is three to four years away, the report said.


Now, what is the TNGA? This is what Toyota says about it :

Our Always A Better Way philosophy is an expression that continuous improvement is possible, in fact it’s an essential part of any successful organisation. That’s why we’ve developed the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA). TNGA is an extension of the famous Toyota Production System, which is widely studied and admired for its efficiency. TNGA will help us build cars using standardised platforms, powertrains and major components, to make cars that require fewer resources to build, give a safer and more enjoyable drive, and have even greater fuel-efficiency.

A platform is the basic core around which the rest of a car is built. Globally, Toyota currently uses more than 100 uniquely modified platforms and sub-platforms, and 800 powertrains, including engines modified to fit those different platforms. But, with TNGA, just five layouts will be needed for the whole range, from compact sports cars to SUVs. The size and position of other key components will be standardised, too.

But that doesn’t mean that the cars will all look the same. Far from it, in fact. The standardised TNGA elements will be largely out of sight, giving Toyota designers the freedom to produce cars that are visually distinctive, as can be seen in the all new Prius and the C-HR Concept car – both of which were designed using TNGA.

As well as cutting-edge design, the TNGA-developed cars will give a significantly improved drive experience. The TNGA platform means low-stance designs, giving the cars a lower centre of gravity than before, which, in turn, will give better suspension, stability and handling. Strategic use of high-strength steel gives the new Prius a 60 per cent more rigid body shell, which also contributes to greater responsiveness as well as safety. And the new TNGA powertrains will increase fuel-efficiency by up to 15 per cent.

As TNGA-built cars will be able to use many uniform parts, fewer components will need to be designed, produced and shipped. The cars will also need 20 per cent less manpower to build – freeing up a significant amount of time that can be devoted to designing new cars. Fewer components and less manpower will make factories greener too, which is obviously better for the environment.

Looking to the future, TNGA will be the foundation for all Toyota’s powertrain and vehicle development, and by 2020 half of Toyota’s will be built using TNGA.

Just Auto and World of Toyota

[DicKy]

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/indian...ml#post3977530

Cross-posting from another thread discussing the same.

With the diesel ban going on, however illogical it is, Toyota could very well bring in the hybrids at affordable rates.

Though with this much uncertainty in regulations, can't blame Toyota if they put a hold on investments

[RavenAvi]

Toyota headquarters is now re-looking into it's Indian operations and investments, according to Toyota Kirloskar Motor Vice-Chairman and Whole-time Director, Mr Shekar Viswanathan.

Although he categorically denied about shutting shop anytime soon, he clearly said that Toyota is not too keen on launching new models in the Indian market anymore.

"We have already started re-looking at our operations. What is hurting us is not so much the ban but the unfairness. Orders are passed without hearing us. It is going against the principles of natural justice. We feel our vehicles are being targetted," he told PTI.

"We can understand if they banned all diesel vehicles but why only 2,000 cc and above?"

When asked if the company will consider closing operations in India, he said: "There are about 25,000 people whose jobs are directly or indirectly linked to our operations. We are not going to abandon them."

While he did not elaborate what "re-looking" at Indian operations would entail, Viswanathan said post the diesel ban issue, Toyota headquarter is questioning the rationale for making investments to launch new models in India.

"We will have to sell only those models which we are allowed to sell in India. The newly launched Innova Crysta is doing very well for us," he said, however, adding the company has to miss out on Delhi-NCR and Kerala, which are among its bigger markets in India.

Financial Express

[Turbanator]

here are about 25,000 people whose jobs are directly or indirectly linked to our operations. We are not going to abandon them."

And what about a couple of lakhs Toyota vehicles on the road ? I think they are cribbing too much. Their Innova production is secured for a long time , Old Fortuner numbers would have been not much different irrespective of NCR ban and as and when they launch New , it will be a hit like new Innova. Smaller Etios twins & their engines have nothing to do with the ban. So what makes them cry so much ?

They must realise India is full of opportunities and uncertainties - both go together, to succeed in India they have to think and work like locals. But they are Giants and they are too slow to react - wonder how did they get approvals to speak so much against this ban

They have some of the finest Petrol engines and Technologies for Hybrid. They should probably take lead and invest in Hybrids in India instead of larger Diesel engines , I don't think any government will object to clean engines.

[volkman10]

Toyota shifts focus to Malaysia!


Even as Toyota Motor Corporation is 're-looking' at its India operations in the wake of the recent wave against diesel, the Japanese carmaker is continuing with investments in Malaysia.

Set to be built in Klang, in the state of Selangor, the new plant will have an annual production capacity of 50,000 vehicles. Approximately 49 billion yen (Rs 2,548 crore) is to be invested in the exclusive passenger vehicle manufacturing plant, which is planned to begin operations in early 2019. Toyota says this plant is the next step in its efforts to create competitive plants using innovative production technologies such as freely extensible lines and compact painting booths; features which will also be introduced in Toyota's new Mexican plant and new Chinese line

http://www.autocarpro.in/news-intern...malaysia-20055

[Nitthari]

[quote] Although he categorically denied about shutting shop anytime soon, he clearly said that Toyota is not too keen on launching new models in the Indian market anymore)

This is, as far as I am concerned sheer arrogance and a case of sour grapes. Every OEM will have to comply with the law of the land. And in the case of the diesel ban it is in the larger interest of the public health. And the ban is not something that will hit all the auto companies where it hurts the most!

I will be really surprised if the auto industry is failing to understand the fact that over a period of time all countries and govts will try and get the people to move towards public transport to reduce the carbon footprint. Instead of whining over this "minor issue" it will be great if Toyota takes it up as a challenge and come up with a better solution like hybrids or efficient small diesel engines.