[aaggoswami]

Source : Toyota to unveil concept compact car in India next month- Automobiles-Auto-News By Industry-News-The Economic Times

Article :

BANGALORE: Japanese car maker
Toyota Motor Corporation would unveil the concept model of its compact car for the Indian market next
month.

Toyota's Indian unit, Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt Ltd (TKM) plans to start production of its much awaited compact car in December next year at its second plant being built in Bangalore.

The compact car project is Toyota's most ambitious venture in India in its 11-year existence and the company is betting big on this initiative to become a volume player.

"Both hatchback and sedan version of concept vehicle of the compact car will be showcased at Auto Expo (to be held at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi from January 5 to 11)", TKM deputy managing director Sandeep Singh said. "It's a concept vehicle coming from Japan".

"Production will start by December of 2010. First year production plan is 70,000", he said.

TKM is also showcasing its Toyota Prius hybrid car in the biennial event in the national capital and is looking for its launch in the Indian market.

"Prius we are going to display and you can say we are talking about launch of the Prius", Singh said.

He said Prius is not a volume product and the company is just looking to sell just a few numbers.

"We just want to impress upon the government to give some special concession on duty (for Prius). Otherwise, it does not make sense to pay such a high duty and sell it. It could be very expensive", Singh said.

"But we would like to sell a few numbers. We are impressing upon the government to give some concessions to hybrid vehicle".

He declined to talk about the price tag of Prius in India. TKM expects to close the current calendar year with sales of 53,000 units, up from 51,800 in 2008, Singh said.

TKM, a joint venture owned 89 per cent by Toyota and 11 per cent by the Kirloskar Group, last month announced that it has crossed four lakh unit retails sales in India since inception.

The company also announced a 50 per cent jump in total sales at 5,650 units in October 2009, compared to the same period last year. The rise in sales figures can be attributed to the excellent response for the Corolla Altis and Innova and introduction of the Fortuner in August 2009, the company said.

Currently, Toyota has 93 dealerships and has firmed up plans to enhance its dealer network to 150 outlets before the launch of its much awaited compact car in early 2011.

Toyota's products in India are Corolla Altis, Innova and Fortuner, manufactured in India, while Camry, Prado and Land Cruiser are imported as Completely Built Units.

IMO, they are very very late for bringing in the small car. Now its confirmed that they are going to show small car to public. The announcement is also very smart.

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by aaggoswami

Source : Toyota to unveil concept compact car in India next month- Automobiles-Auto-News By Industry-News-The Economic Times

Article :
IMO, they are very very late for bringing in the small car. Now its confirmed that they are going to show small car to public. The announcement is also very smart.

December edition of CAR India says Toyota will initially launch the sedan, and not the hatchback.

They also say Avanza will be launched in India. (Didn't we have a spy pic somewhere? Forgot the link though!)

[1-Testosterone]

I think Hyundai and Suzuki has secured their lions share in the small car segment. Hyundai is a force to reckon with, especially in small car segment right now. As good as Toyota gets, it will find hard time to make any inroads whatsoever in this segment especially when it has to contend with i10 CRDI which IMHO will make short work of the competition.

[pb10gagan]

Originally Posted by 1-Testosterone

I think Hyundai and Suzuki has secured their lions share in the small car segment. Hyundai is a force to reckon with, especially in small car segment right now. As good as Toyota gets, it will find hard time to make any inroads whatsoever in this segment especially when it has to contend with i10 CRDI which IMHO will make short work of the competition.

IMHO, if and only if Toyota is able to price their small car product competitively, with respect to Hyundai and MUL, people will prefer them over any other player.

Ditto for Honda too.

[karanraheja]

Finally Toyota wakes up! I think they need to concentrate on making it stylish rather than a dull hatch. We dunno how they would price it , but they seem to be serious with this model by increasing the localisation and if rumours are to be believed we might get the 1.4 diesel to !!! Agreed that MUL & Hyundai are kings in hatch segment , but who are we to complain when we have so many options!

[beejay]

Awesome. Should have happened earlier, anywyas, better late than never.

[SaneOp]

Expect Toyota to shake up things in hatch segment. they might be shooting for premium hatch which is going to get bigger as consumers are going to opt out of there Wagon-Rs, alto, santro and opt for something that has Toyota. Maybe toyota can regain its tag of World's largest automobile maker with this strategy.

[anekho]

I hope they release the aygo, as a competitor to i10, spark, a-star, alto etc. I simply love that car and it's nippy 1L engine and it's go-cart like handling. It only has 3 cylinders, but it's fun anyways. In europe, it even comes with an auto box, and if launched it will finally challenge the i10 auto. If priced right, it will do serious damage to the segment.

Would love to cruise in one on the streets of chennai

[GTO]

From their press release. Confirmed unveiling at the Auto Expo:

Delhi, December 10, 2009: Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt. Ltd. (TKM) announced today that it will display 14 production and concept vehicles at the 10th Auto Expo in Delhi to be held at Pragati Maidan from January 5 to 11, 2010.

Emphasising Toyota’s commitment to the Indian market, and denoting its biggest strengths − superior quality and advanced technology − the theme of the Toyota booth is ‘Quality Revolution’. More than 2,200 square meters (Hall no. 6) will be used to display a diverse line-up of products, and more importantly the much awaited ‘world premiere of the compact car’.

Apart from the current product line-up, the Toyota booth will also display its futuristic technology in the form of concept vehicles, and hybrid vehicles to highlight environmentally-friendly technology that the company has pioneered.

Mr. Sandeep Singh, DMD-Marketing, TKM said: “The Auto Expo in Delhi is the most ideal platform in India to highlight our new product range that will showcase Toyota’s technological advancement and innovation. We are very excited about unveiling the concept of our compact cars that have specially been developed for the Indian market. The Toyota brand display at the 2010 Auto Expo will reconfirm our commitment to the Indian automotive market.”

[GeekSrik]

this news is true. they will be launching both hatch and sedans. hatch is expected to come in 22 variants and sedan perhaps in some equal number of variants. it will be ready by 2010 january. and i think its some variation of vios. project is an ambitious one, only goes to see what other manufacturers do to toyota by then akin to what docomo did to airtel for eg!

[Latheesh]

Something serious have been happening in TOYOTA plant in Bangalore. Now I know why they were not entertaining any college/corporate vistitors for a long time

[basilmabraham]

This is a great move by Toyota.

If they can price their small car well, I am sure there would be many takers. The reliability and the excellent service offered by Toyota anf the hassle free ownership should lure many. lets wait ans see how the drama unfolds.

I sincerely hope that TKM does everything right and does not screw up with this release.

This will add to the confusion of Indian car buyers, but this confusion would be good, as we are now getting world class products.

[1-Testosterone]

Originally Posted by basilmabraham

as we are now getting world class products.

atleast in some segments!

[brakehorsepower]

SCOOP! ETIOS is Toyota?s new small car | Autocar India
Yes, we know the name of Toyota’s small car that will make its world debut at the Auto Expo in 2010. Etios, which means ‘the origin of’, will be officially announced by Toyota at the Delhi Auto Expo. Known until now by its codename EFC (for Economical Family Car), the Etios concept is expected to be 90 percent true to the production version which goes on sale in end-2010.
Toyota will showcase both the hatch and notchback body styles at the Expo but when the car is ready for production it will be the notchback that will be launched first, followed three months later by the hatch. Toyota wants a gradual ramp-up in production to ensure that there is no compromise on its quality and hence wants the hatch, which will sell in larger volumes, to come later.

Toyota is understood to have squeezed out costs wherever possible to ensure that the Etios is as price-competitive as possible and within striking reach of the Maruti Swift. According to company sources, the Etios will come with only one wiper and the seats too have been built to a cost. The interior plastics again are expected to be basic but hardwearing while there have been a few compromises on the NVH package as well.
The Etios will come with two engine options — a 1.4 diesel which powers the Yaris and a 1.2 or 1.3-litre petrol. Toyota already has a 1.3 (K3) engine but it is not clear if that motor will be further downsized to under 1200cc to meet the small car regulations.
India will be the lead plant in the world for the Etios followed by Brazil, thereby further consolidating India as a global hub for small cars.

guys do you remember that a fellow team-bhpian has spotted a yaris in covers?
toyota is just too good they dont unveil anything.they would have been testing the engines in the yaris.

[basilmabraham]

@brakehorsepower.

If this news is true, it is a very good thing to average car buyers in India. Those who cannot afford the Altis and the Innova, can still get a feel of the legendary Toyota brand. Hope things clear up after the Auto Expo.