No Yaris or Vios for the Indian market, says Toyota

Toyota Kirloskar Motor Private Limited, the Indian unit of world's largest car-maker, shunned the news of rolling-out its hatchback Yaris and sedan version ‘Vios’ in the Indian market. The company clarified the rumours doing the rounds of the industry, during the launching ceremony of the diesel version of Toyota Corolla Altis in the Indian market.

Mr Hiroshi Nakagawa, TKM managing director, recently told a leading online media group that Cars like the Yaris or Vios are not suitable for the Indian market and cater to certain specific markets like Thailand. He added that there is no hatchback planned below or above this.

Toyota Yaris is basically a 5-door hatchback which was first introduced in the world market in the year 1999. The model was sold in some of the largest auto markets around the world including Europe, America, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Similarly, the Vios model was launched in the year 2003 as a replacement of the Toyota Soluna sold in regions like South East Asia and United States.

While briefing to the reporters, Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) deputy managing director (Marketing) Sandeep Singh, said that company is confident about achieving the 1,50,000 units sales mark in the calender year 2011, which will include as much as 70,000 units of its upcoming premium hatchback Toyota Etios. For the year 2010, the company targets to hit the 70,000 units mark as against the 55,497 units sold in the year 2009.