Toyota to roll out concept car Etios by year-end

Hiroshi Nakagawa (left), Managing Director, with Shekar Viswanathan, Deputy Managing Director, Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt. Ltd., at the showcasing of Toyota Etios Concept car at Toyota `Q' World, in Chennai on Saturday. Photo: Bijoy Ghosh

Toyota Kirloskar Motor India plans to start production of its much-awaited compact car Etios Sedan and Etios Hatchback by this year end, according to Hiroshi Nakagawa, Managing Director.

Mr. Nakagawa was in Chennai on Saturday in connection with a two-day event Toyota ‘Q’ World being held at Chennai Trade Centre on March 27 and 28.

The event showcases an array of 10 vehicles which include Prius, world’s highest selling hybrid vehicle, Prado Diesel, Fortuner and Land Cruiser, besides Etios.

TKM is conducting Toyota ‘Q’ World in 10 cities across India. It would be an opportunity for Toyota to get a direct feedback from customers which will enable the company to further improve production and services and serve them better.

Mr. Nakagawa introduced Etios Sedan and Hatchbak and said production of Etios would start from the company’s second unit in Bangalore. He said “First we want acceptance from the domestic market and after strengthening the Indian market, we would shift our focus to exports to neighbouring countries.”

In the first year, the company would produce 70,000 units and after getting acceptance from the customers it would be increased year by year. He said Toyota so far invested Rs. 3,200 crore in the facility which is capable of turning out two lakh units.

Toyota would expand its sales and service network to about 150 dealers by 2010. In Tamil Nadu, five more dealerships would be added taking the total to 12.