Toyota to launch small diesel car model

Toyota Kirloskar Motors India is expected to launch a diesel-run small car model in India by 2011. We are keenly studying the diesel option for the small car to be launched by 2011. It will depend on the market and the government regulations regarding diesel engines, Toyota Kirloskar Motor(TKM) Deputy Managing Director (Marketing) Sandeep Singh said. Further details about the car has not been revealed as yet as the company remains quiet on the matter. Sandeep Singh also added that the company is contemplating to launch diesel model of its existing sedan Toyota Corolla Altis in India too. Toyota is in a joint venture with Kirlosakar Motors in India as Toyota Kirloskar Motors. It is investing Rs. 3200 crores in India to set up its second plant in Bangalore to manufacture its small car. Toyota had recently incurred losses close to $800 million amidst ongoing credit crisis. Indian operations of TKM are just marginal and thus the Managing Director Hiroshi Nakagawa said: Our margins are just at the border-line but so far we have been able to remain profitable. We expect to make marginal profits in this year as well.