Toyota Etios production to begin in the third week of December

Toyota Motors, the Japanese automobile manufacturer confirmed yesterday (14th December), that, the company will start the manufacturing of the entry level saloon Toyota Etios in the third week of December, 2010. The production of the Toyota's ambitious sedan will commence in its second production unit at Bidadi near Bangalore. Recently, Toyota Kirloskar Motors launched the sedan Toyota Etios which has created a buzz in the domestic auto market and also unfolded the hatchback which is christened as Toyota Etios Liva (the hatchback will be launched in April 2011). The Japanese auto giant, in India is present via partnership with the Kirloskar Group-Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM).

Koji Nagata, Toyota Kirloskar Motor Executive Managing Coordinator Director Marketing, revealed that, the company will enable the second manufacturing facility in the fourth week of December in 2010. Currently, the production of Toyota Etios will start in the single shift only. He further said that, by next year, the auto company plans to start the manufacturing in two shifts. He also went on saying that, in the second production facility, TKM has already invested around Rs 3,200 crore and has an installed capacity of 80,000 cars per year.

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Nagata, also said that, right now in Toyota Etios 70 per cent of the local component are being used. By 2012, the company hopes to introduce powertrains and transmissions which will increase the use of the local components to 90 per cent. This will greatly help the Japanese auto giant to price the sedan more competitively. Presently, Toyota Etios comes with a price range of Rs 4,96,000 to Rs 6,86,500.

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With another addition after the Toyota Etios, is in the hatchback segment, the Japanese auto giant plans to enjoy a meaty chunk in the domestic auto market. The Indian small car market holds 70 per cent of the domestic auto sector which is luring auto giants to invest in this segment. The eagerly awaited Toyota Etios Liva hatchback which will be introduced next year, the booking will commence from April, 2010. Sailesh Shetty, General Manager, Sales Division, TKM, said that, the company will introduce the small car Toyota Etios Liva by next April, and also targeting sales of 1,40,000 to 1,50,000 cars by next year.

Toyota Motors in India rules the Indian auto market with eight car models Toyota Etios, Toyota Camry, Toyota Corolla Altis, Toyota Innova, Toyota Fortuner, Toyota Land Cruiser, Toyota Land Cruiser Prado and Toyota Prius.

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