Following a good response to the petrol versions of its new offerings Etios and Etios Liva, the Japanese carmaker Toyota on Friday introduced the diesel variants of its entry-level sedan and premium hatchback.
The Etios sedan with diesel engine comes in four variants and has been priced between Rs.6.44 lakh and Rs.7.87 lakh, while the two versions of Etios Liva diesel are priced at Rs.5.54 lakh and Rs.5.89 lakh. While the diesel sedan cost Rs.90,000 more than the petrol version, the hatchback is dearer by Rs.95,000 vis-a-vis the petrol variants.
The new entrants are powered with 1.4 litre D-4D common rail diesel (CRD) engine that generates a maximum power of 68 PS and delivers mileage of 23.59 km a litre. “We are offering the most advanced diesel technology, also being used in over other popular cars like Innova, Corolla Altis, Fortuner, Prado and LC 200, that has earned a reputation the world-over for its high quality, durability and reliability,” Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) Managing Director Hiroshi Nakagawa told journalists. Toyota is present in India through a joint venture with the Kirloskar Group.
“The alternative fuel options are being offered in response to customer feedback. The customers have accepted Etios and Etios Liva well as we have more than 33,000 customers in just four months…we plan to sell a total of 63,000 units of the Etios family of cars in India this year,” said TKM Deputy Managing Director (Marketing) Sandeep Singh.
TKM had set a target for selling a total of 1.45 lakh units across models this year, but the projection was later scaled down to 1.35 lakh units due to production losses in April-May this year after component supply from Japan was hit by an earthquake and tsunami in March.
However, to meet the growing demand for its products, TKM is increasing the production from its second plant in Bangalore to 2.10 lakh units by 2013 from 1.20 lakh at present.
The firm is also ramping up the number of dealerships across India to 175 from 163 now.
