Showing posts with label Toyota. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Toyota. Show all posts
Monday, August 31, 2015
2014 Toyota Corolla Altis could overturn sedan market
Well, Toyota hasn’t really seen much presence in the mid sedan market of the country (except for the Innova and to a certain extent the high-end Fortuner) and all this could overturn with the roll out of the new 2014 Toyota Corolla Altis, which has been priced between Rs 12 lakh and Rs 16.89 lakh for the petrol as well as the diesel variants.
The new generation 2014 Toyota Corolla Altis will come in both petrol as well as diesel versions and would be offered with the ditto 1.8-litre VVTi petrol and 1.4-litre D4-D diesel engines that belt out the same 140 PS and 90 PS power. Both the versions would get six-speed manual gearboxes as standard and the petrol version will additionally come with a seven-speed CVT gearbox.
 |
| The Toyota new Corolla Altis. |
The Toyota Corolla Altis has been receiving a fairly good response in the Indian market and an early introduction of a new generation car (just after the new Honda City) could jack up sales of the Altis substantially.
Toyota dealers across the country have already started taking bookings in advance.
The 2014 edition of the Toyota Corolla Altis was first showcased in India during the 2014 Auto Expo in Noida in the beginning of this year. During this period, the new car was appreciated by many car buffs, who visited the fair.
The 2014 Toyota Corolla Altis is the 11th generation car and comes in the company’s new design language, giving it a refurbished look (unlike the previous generation cars).
The bonnet is long as well as wide. The sharp angle of the windscreen and lower roof give the new Altis a typical sports car-like look.
The new Altis’s design is snazzier and Toyota uses an abundance of chrome and LEDs. This new generation Altis comes with large dual-barrel headlamps with LEDs, a big chrome front grille along with an appealing rear design.
The interior of the Altis has been overhauled and now comes with touchscreen infotainment system and satellite navigation. The 2014 Toyota Corolla Altis is 10 cm lengthier than the older model and has more legroom at the back. Reclining rear-seats give a fillip to the comfort level.
During the Altis launch, managing director of Toyota’s India unit Naomi Ishii said, “The Toyota Corolla is the world’s favorite car. It is the world's top car with an enviable sales figure of 40 million in the globe. Over a million cars of Toyota have been sold each year since 2002. We are happy to roll out the 11th generation of this global car in India.”
So, with a refurbished and a new-look Corolla Altis, Toyota could overturn things and see a stronger presence in the country’s mid-level sedan market.
Sunday, August 30, 2015
New Innova, Camry, Fortuner may rev up revenues
Toyota Kirloskar Motors is planning to bring in a slew of new Toyota models into the country, including the popular Innova and the high-end Camry as well as the Fortuner but will it help the Japanese company rev up sales in the wake of an auto slowdown in the country?
Even the global markets do not seem to be set for a good 2012 and big markets such as the US and Europe could see the likes of a global meltdown of 2008, which could hit the fortunes of Toyota as well as other car majors in these markets.
 |
The new Toyota Innova. |
But the Indian market, like in the previous slowdown, could prove impervious and add to the fortunes of the auto majors.
The new Innova to be launched is likely to come with a slew of cosmetic upgrades at both exterior and interior.
The front side of the vehicle, which many critics have hit out at, is set for a makeover with the almond headlights making way for wrap around lights, which are rectangular in shape.
Moreover, while the hood comes with attractive character lines, a wider grille is present with there being more chrome to it, making it almost a Camry-lookalike so far as the front portion is concerned.
Also, the all new 2012 Toyota Camry sedan will be unveiled at the forthcoming Auto Expo in New Delhi during January 2012.
The new Camry premium sedan will be brought into the country as a completely knocked-down or CKD unit and will be assembled locally at the Japanese auto giant’s Bidadi plant instead of it being imported as a completely built unit or CBU.
This way, Toyota can price the Camry competitively in the Indian luxury car segment.
This new version of the Camry will be the variant that is sold in the Japanese market. This new variant will come with refurbished looks, especially in the front.
According to the company, the body will be “classy” rather than “sporty”, the headlamps will wear a more-simple look and the front grille will be smaller.
The Japanese auto major is also planning to roll out an all-new Fortuner in the high-end segment.
The new Fortuner will be propelled by the same 3-litre D-4D engine, delivering 169 bhp @ 3,600 rpm and 35 kgm @ 1,400-3,400 rpm though.
This time, the Toyota Fortuner offer will be attractive: You can choose between a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic transmission.
Even as the manual transmission gear car is more enjoyable for the professional driver (with smooth gears), the automatic transmission has been made for convenient drives in city roads.
Buzz is that the new Fortuner may fall in the above Rs 22 lakh price bracket.
Toyota is clearly out to grab a big chunk of the Indian car market with the swift rollout of even diesel models of compact segment cars, the Etios and the Liva.
It is also accelerating in the high-end segment in India (with the proposed launch of the new Fortuner, the Innova and the Camry), probably as fears in the lucrative North American and European markets loom in view of another possible global slowdown but the company can only reap benefits in India if it prices these top-end cars intelligently.
Saturday, August 29, 2015
New Renault Fluence’s add-ons are attractive and the new-look Etios Cross could boost Toyota brand name
Now, Toyota is set to bring in the Cross of the Etios and the unveiling of this car at the Indian Auto Show has impressed many as this kind of a unique design has never been seen in India (unlike the Volkswagen Crossover, which doesn’t look much different from the hatchback) and the new Renault Fluence does have a litany of add-ons, which are pretty impressive.
This crossover is actually the Liva with a bulky body cladding.
 |
| The Toyota Etios Liva Cross. |
The Etios Cross version is likely to come for between Rs 5.5 lakh and Rs 7.5 lakh. But even this price would be rather steep and Toyota needs to do a rethink on this front.
The Etios Cross is set to vie in the market against Volkswagen Cross Polo along with the Fiat Avventura.
The Cross Polo, as we said, is almost similar in looks compared to the hatch. But the Avventura may have something new to offer.
Toyota has made a judicious move by providing the Cross with all the engine options in the Etios Liva as well the sedan variants. They are two petrol engines – a 80 PS 1.2-litre engine and a 90 PS 1.5-litre one along with a 1.4-litre 68 PS diesel engine.
The Cross version is the third model of the Liva hatchback, the existing ones being the standard model as well as the TRD Sportivo one.
The Etios Cross comes with plastic body cladding, new alloy wheel design on larger 15 inch wheels, grille guard, roof rails along with a roof mounted rear spoiler.
In contrast to the standard Liva, the Cross would be available with fewer versions but there would be more features that would come as standard. Some of them are a two-din audio system with USB, Aux-in and Bluetooth connectivity along with leather wrapped steering wheels with audio controls.
This plan by Toyota (to develop a Cross) is owing to the stagnating sales of the sedan Etios as well as the hatchback Liva and the move could actually give a fillip to the Toyota brand name.
New Renault Fluence
Renault India has rolled out a refurbished version of the Fluence, which is priced at Rs 13.99 lakh (for the base E2 variant) and the top model, the E4 variant, comes for Rs 15.49 lakh.
 |
| The new Renault Fluence. |
The new Fluence has 1.5-litre direct injection 4-cylinder diesel engine offering 110 PS power at 4,000 rpm and 240 Nm torque at 1,850 rpm. The diesel engine is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox.
The new Renault Fluence has Arkamys audio system, which belts out 3D Surround sound into the cabin via four speakers. There is a soft touch dashboard, dual zone air-conditioning, chrome inserts, front along with rear parking sensors and ABS with EBD as well as brake assist.
The top-end Fluence model offers ESP and side chest level airbags, which also has the front airbags present on the base variant. Other hi-tech features in the top-end model are dusk sensing headlamps and rain sensing wipers, cruise control and rear AC vents.
The Fluence gets a makeover in the front styling, including the large chromed Renault badge, a new headlamp cluster along with a more aggressive bumper.
The bumper comprises fresh fog lamps and LED day lights. The new Renault Fluence comes with a new alloy wheel design. So far as the exterior goes, there are no changes on the new Fluence.
So, the new Renault Fluence does have quite a few add-ons and the new look Cross could give a boost to the Toyota brand name.
Thursday, August 27, 2015
Will Toyota Liva eat into Etios market?
Toyota has sent the hatchback market into a tizzy by launching Etios clone Liva at a highly competitive price of between Rs 3.99 lakh and Rs 5.99 lakh (ex showroom Delhi), but with this launch, the Liva could eat into the market of its big brother, the Etios, in a big way.
Auto companies operating in the Indian market have literally heated up the hatchback segment, which has seen a litany of cars such as the Chevrolet Beat and Uva, Maruti Ritz and Swift, Ford Figo and Hyundai i10 and i20, among others, slugging it out in the Rs 3 lakh-Rs 6 lakh market that logs almost 70 per cent of the total car sales in the country.
The Liva hatchback has a 1.2 litre MPFI petrol engine, which is its power house. The car offers a maximum power of 80 bhp.
It apparently comes with good fuel efficiency of 16 km a litre and decent performance, according to Toyota.
It apparently comes with good fuel efficiency of 16 km a litre and decent performance, according to Toyota.
Although a hatch, the Liva offers adequate luggage space, which is surely going to be one of its USPs.
Customers are, in fact, waiting with baited breath to grab their hands on the Toyota Liva, which could scale up the Japanese automaker’s sales and revenues big time.
The economical pricing and the Toyota brand will see many make a beeline to get their Liva.
The economical pricing and the Toyota brand will see many make a beeline to get their Liva.
“With the Liva, we will turn out to be a total manufacturer in the country, offering a full range of vehicles from the luxury SUV Prado to the compact Liva, which is a very stylish and a dynamic car,” Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) managing director Hiroshi Nakagawa said.
In India, Toyota operates through a joint venture with the Kirloskar Group.
In India, Toyota operates through a joint venture with the Kirloskar Group.
Toyota-Kirloskar is pumping in over Rs 3,000 crore to set up a second manufacturing plant in Bangalore with an installed capacity of 70,000 cars a year. It plans to raise production capacity at the plant by next year. The company’s first plant is also in Bangalore.
“We will scale up production capacity of the second plant from 70,000 vehicles to 1.2 lakh by next year. This will shorten waiting period of the Etios and meet future demand of the Liva,” Nakagawa said.
The Japanese giant is producing 6,000 Etios and Liva cars per month and it will be raised to 8,000 by September.
An upbeat Toyota-Kirloskar deputy managing director Sandeep Singh (marketing) said, “This year, we plan to sell 60,000 cars of both the Etios and the Liva. Of this, more than 20,000 could be of the Liva.”
He said that with the two models, the company will vie with 13 cars from rivals in the B segment.
“Out of the total passenger car market, the B segment’s share is about 38 per cent. Etios has already clinched 8 per cent of this market,” Singh added.
Even the looks of the new Toyota Liva have made many potential buyers awe-struck. So, there could be many who would want to be proud owners of a Toyota car. After all, Toyota is the world’s top car seller.
But those waiting for diesel variants of the Liva and the Etios are in for some disappointment as the Japanese car giant is not planning to launch diesel variants of the two cars in the near term or for about a year.
Last year, the company had launched the coveted Etios, which is a sedan version of the Liva. But, with the Liva rollout, Toyota may witness a slowdown in sales growth of its Etios and this possible slump could prompt the Japanese car maker to lower the price of the Etios.
Thursday, August 20, 2015
New Toyota Etios and Liva to give succour to sales
It’s been almost a year since the Etios and the Etios Liva crossed the one-lakh sales mark (it has surpassed the 1.45 lakh sales figure now), giving a succuor to Toyota’s earnings in India, and now, the Japanese auto giant has rolled out the new Etios for a price range of between Rs 5.45 lakh and Rs 7.08 lakh for the petrol variant and Rs 6.70 lakh and Rs 8.15 lakh for the diesel version while the new hatchback Etios Liva will now come for between Rs 4.46 lakh and Rs 5.99 lakh for the petrol car and Rs 5.72 lakh and Rs 6.38 lakh for the diesel model.
The new features in the refurbished Etios and Liva include two-tone interiors, driver’s seat adjustments and a blue backlit combi meter, among other additions.
 |
| The new Etios and the Liva. |
The face-lifted Toyota Etios and Liva do not have major changes so far as looks go except a more stylish looking front grille with chrome finish.
Outside rear view mirror mounted side indicators are also new in the Etios series of cars.
Outside rear view mirror mounted side indicators are also new in the Etios series of cars.
The 1.2 litre Etios Liva TRD Sportivo model has seen raging sales in India, and this has prompted the company to launch a separate 1.5 litre special edition model at Rs 6.13 lakh (petrol version only), which produces 90 PS and comes with a litany of hi-tech features like ABS, D+P airbag, 15 inch smoked alloys, TRDAero kit and TRD Sportivo logo on seats and roof.
The two-tone upholstery and a rather well designed dashboard of the new Etios and Liva have given a fillip to the interiors.
Entertainment options in the new Etios series include a two-din audio with Bluetooth, USB, Aux-In and remote, which are offered across variants of the revamped models.
There are also new AC vents with air purifiers, a combi meter with blue illumination along with bucket seats with headrest (and height adjust), which add to the comfort.
The company claims that it has raised the suspension for both these models and the cars deliver reduced noise, vibration and harshness or NVH.
Sandeep Singh, deputy managing director and CEO of Toyota in India, said, “We have incorporated customer feedback and are hoping to delight more car buffs with our new Etios series. The whole line-up has been done to give customers the latest in features and looks along with the style quotient. The new line-up is a lot youthful and trendier also. The Etios has made inroads not just in India but also in countries like South Africa and Brazil. The new models will be available immediately in Toyota showrooms.”
The Toyota Etios and Liva are a tad on the expensive side but the company’s plan of taking customer feedback before rolling out models would surely help Toyota reap benefits and give a fillip to sales of its cars although the company has to do a rethink on the price front.
Wednesday, August 19, 2015
Toyota’s 11 hybrids may head for US and Europe
Eyeing a big push in the developed markets, the world’s largest carmaker, Toyota, has already been doing some futuristic thinking – of launching a mind blowing 11 hybrid models in a span of two years.
These environment-friendly vehicles will most likely cater to markets such as the US, Europe and even Japan. Clearly, the Japanese car giant is not eyeing emerging markets such as China and India at the moment, as stringent green norms are yet to be put in place in these two countries.
 |
| Toyota Electric car |
But the duo (India and China) hold enormous potential and cannot be ignored in the long run. Just that green norms will have to come up as per global standards. More importantly, massive awareness campaigns need to be undertaken in these two countries to raise buyers’ knowledge on the benefits of hybrid vehicles and how they can help save fuel.
The vehicles that Toyota is planning are new as well as redesigned ones which will expand the company’s hybrid engines that are propelled by gasoline and electricity.
Toyota is also betting big on its current breed of hybrids. For instance, it is eyeing a yearly sales of over 50,000 units for its Prius-based plug-in hybrid to be launched by early 2012 in Japan, the US and Europe with a price tag of around $36,045.
It is also contemplating rolling out an all-electric vehicle based on its current iQ minicar, which will hit the roads in Japan and Europe in the near future (may be in six months to a year). There could also be a China launch later.
Even Toyota's rivals are gearing up with their own environment-friendly concept vehicles. Nissan will soon have its all-electric Leaf, which does not produce tailpipe emissions. This car could spearhead Nissan’s green vehicle ambitions.
 |
| Toyota Hybrid model |
Toyota recently unveiled its RAV4 EV concept vehicle at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The all-electric version of Toyota's RAV4 sports utility vehicle was made with the aid of Tesla Motors, the US electric vehicle company in which Toyota has a stake.
Till now, Toyota has only forayed into the electric market, which is still at an uncertain stage, as a proper system of recharge is still to be put in place. This could make buyers wary at least in the near term and sales may fail to pick up.
Toyota plans to introduce a fuel-cell powered sedan-type car around 2015 in the US, Europe and Japan. It is also stepping up efforts to develop next generation batteries that will probably perform better than the current lithium-ion models. The new plans come as the automaker works to revive an image hit by safety recalls in the past year owing to acceleration, engine, steering and brake problems. The recalls affected around 12 million vehicles.
Toyota’s plans of launching hybrid models can be applauded but the auto giant must also ensure that it does not hit speed breakers in the process, like the one it hit with electric cars. If its launch of 11 hybrid models turns out to be successful, Toyota is likely to see a giant leap in its earnings in the global market, which is getting more environment-friendly by the day, even though the recalls had dented the auto major’s image quite a bit.
Monday, August 17, 2015
Will Toyota Etios be the next Corolla?
Will Toyota Etios become the next Corolla and see the auto major’s sales and profit skyrocket in the long term? Corolla had put Toyota in the top league of global automakers. Its sales were a mind blowing 2.6 crore in 37 years since launch.
Toyota is actually banking on the Etios to drive its India sales and earnings where car buffs are literally hungry for small cars that are in the above Rs 4 lakh category. For instance, Hyundai Motors’ i10, which falls in this category, is the Korean automaker’s highest selling car in India. The Toyota Etios, with its fab looks and eclectic features, could set the Japanese carmaker’s cash registers ringing. Just like the Corolla did.
The Etios will have two engine types - a 1.2 litre petrol one that will generate maximum power of 80 bhp. The second engine will be a 1.5 litre petrol engine which can generate 100 bhp of maximum power. The price of the hatchback is likely to be between Rs 4 lakh and Rs 4.5 lakh while the sedan could be over Rs 5 lakh.
“Our current capacity is 70,000 vehicles per annum. We are trying to expand it to 80,000. Our aim is to make 140,000 to 150,000 vehicles a month. The second plant (coming up next to the current one in Bangalore) will only make the Etios,” Toyota India managing director Hiroshi Nakagawa said. In 2011, Toyota hopes to produce 70,000 Etios, including the sedan and hatchback versions.
“The B segment is the most competitive segment in India now and is also the fastest-growing one, with many players in the fray. We will offer competitive pricing with the best technology,” said Sandeep Singh, deputy managing director (marketing), Toyota Kirloskar Motor.
The company has a strong dealer network and this could help spur sales. “We currently have 120 dealers and will scale it up to 160 by the year end,” said Nakagawa. Dealers across the country are also getting a good number of queries on the Etios.
Toyota has appointed AR Rehman, who has won the Oscar twice, as brand ambassador.
The car giant has so far made a headstart with its range vehicles like Innova MUV and Fortuner SUV along with a range of sedans in India. Even the Etios has created a lot of excitement among prospective car buyers, report many car dealers.
Auto experts feel that the Etios may rev up Toyota’s sales substantially but for the car to reach the levels witnessed by the iconic Corolla could be a distant dream.
Toyota Liva Sportivo will enhance brand value
The scenario in the Indian car market is fast changing with the discerning car buff wanting more, and although Toyota was not keen to get a sports car model to India initially, it has now planned to roll out the limited edition Toyota racing department or TRD Liva Sportivo to enhance brand value.
The Sportivo will carry a base price of Rs 5.23 lakh for the petrol version and the diesel variant will come for Rs 6.32 lakh. The Liva Sportivo will be available in two colours, namely ultramarine blue and white, and the car apparently witnessed huge enquiries among sports car buffs.
 |
| The Toyota Liva Sportivo. |
Toyota is planning to roll out only 1,200 Liva Sportivo cars in India. So, what is the purpose of launching a sportier but a limited version of a car like the Liva?
These limited editions often give a fillip to the brand value of a car and help rev up sales, at least in the short to medium term.
Toyota hopes to unveil the Liva TRD in India before the 2013 Etios Rally Cross and the car will have a slew of sporty features.
The TRD will be made for high performance and be available in the market around end of the first quarter next year, which is a long wait though.
The Liva TRD will have front and rear bumpers, 15 inch alloy wheels, roof spoiler, sporty side graphics in red and a gun metal finish body which gives the vehicle an overall sporty look.
The limited edition also comes with a sporty TRD badge on the car and this distinguishes the Sportivo from the base model. The gear shifts and the badge knob on the interior are exclusively made for this special model.
Toyota Sportivo is exclusively designed for the youth and the Japanese car maker hopes this will give a fillip to the entire Toyota brand and rev up sales.
A recent survey had revealed that over 70 per cent of Indians are below the age of 35, and by targeting the youth, Toyota is giving its brand value a big boost among a huge majority of its customers.
The base variant of the Liva has managed kudos for its innovative technology with the car having a very low maintenance and running cost.
So, by introducing the limited edition Sportivo, Toyota could enhance brand value, and as these limited edition models are high on demand, Toyota may even witness the model being sold out even before the car hits the roads.
Saturday, August 15, 2015
Toyota Etios, Liva (Xclusive) limited editions to take on competition, Mahindra’s new Scorpio may spur sales
Toyota’s plan of offering Xclusive (or limited editions) of its Etios and Liva is primarily to beef up presence among the people and with more competition gripping the SUV market with the launch of the Renault Duster and Ford EcoSport, Mahindra is also planning to stay afloat by launching a special edition (limited to 500 cars) in order to build its brand further.
Well, Toyota has again opted to modify its Etios range of cars as well as the Liva, and this time, has brought in its Xclusive editions that come with dual tone interior trim and seats, Bluetooth enabled stereo, a chrome accentuated gear knob, rear parking sensors and Xclusive badging on the boot.
 |
| The Toyota Etios Xclusive edition. |
Engines for the Etios are a 1.5 litre petrol one offering 90 PS power and 132 Nm torque along with a 1.4 litre diesel engine offering 68 PS power and 170 Nm torque.
The Etios Liva is being offered with a 1.2 litre petrol engine with 80 PS power and 104 Nm torque and a 1.4 litre diesel engine with 68 PS power and 170 Nm torque.
The Etios and Etios Liva Xclusive editions mainly contain cosmetic changes to the ‘G’ trims of the hatch as well as the sedan. The Xclusive editions will come in both petrol and diesel versions for both the Etios and Etios Liva.
The Xclusive editions are costlier by Rs 5,500 for the Liva and Rs 6,000 for the Etios compared to the current G versions.
The current G variants of the Etios and Etios Liva come with features like power steering, power windows, internally adjustable outer rear view mirrors and air conditioning.
Prices of the new Toyota Etios and Liva series cars are as follows:
Etios Xclusive petrol Rs 6,05,900
Etios Xclusive diesel Rs 7,13,243
Etios Liva Xclusive petrol Rs 4,95,349
Etios Liva Xclusive diesel Rs 6,05,400
Mahindra Scorpio special edition
The Mahindra Scorpio special edition has leather shod steering wheel, dual tone leather seats, gear lever, glossy wood trim on the dashboard and centre console, chrome alloy wheels, chequered flag decals on the exterior as well as added equipment such as a roof mounted DVD player with a 9-inch screen along with dual front airbags.
 |
| The Mahindra Scorpio special edition. |
The Scorpio special edition will be available in the high-end VLX trim of the 4x2 variant that comes for Rs 11.02 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) and the special edition could be priced a tad higher (prices not yet announced).
The Scorpio VLX comes with electric outer rear view mirrors, power windows, power steering, a Bluetooth equipped double-DIN stereo with steering-mounted controls, ABS, cruise control, rear parking sensors, automatic headlights and wipers along with tyre pressure monitor, among others.
The special edition Scorpio is propelled by a 2.2 litre turbo diesel engine which comes with 120 PS power along with a 290 Nm torque and is mated to a five-speed manual gearbox.
But how well the special editions of the Toyota Etios and Liva along with the Mahindra Scorpio will fend off competition in this depressed Indian market (but ahead of the festive season) is to be seen.
Sunday, August 9, 2015
Toyota may be swamped with Etios, Liva diesel bookings
Toyota has seen phenomenal response to its entry-level sedan the Etios and its hatchback the Etios Liva, and by launching the diesel variants of these two cars within just a few months of the Liva roll out, the Japanese auto major could be swamped with a litany of bookings, at least in the short term.
Not only that, Toyota, which is present in the country through a joint venture with the Kirloskar Group, is also offering a slew of variants of the Etios and the Etios Liva diesel. For instance, the Etios sedan with diesel engine comprises four variants that are priced between Rs 6.44 lakh and Rs 7.87 lakh.
On the other hand, the Etios Liva diesel will be available in two versions priced between Rs 5.54 lakh and Rs 5.89 lakh.
The Japanese auto giant has estimated a substantial demand for the diesel variants of the Etios and Etios Liva and has priced them substantially steeper.
While the diesel Etios will cost Rs 90,000 more than the petrol version, the hatchback Liva will come for Rs 95,000 more than the petrol variant.
While the diesel Etios will cost Rs 90,000 more than the petrol version, the hatchback Liva will come for Rs 95,000 more than the petrol variant.
But this steep pricing could prompt a rethink on part of customers before they lap up the Etios or the Liva but sales are unlikely to be dented much.
The new diesel versions are powered by a 1.4-litre D-4D common rail diesel (CRD) engine that generates maximum power of 68 PS and offers a fuel efficiency of 23.59 km a litre.
The exterior of the cars come with the Etios front grille and the roof has a unique design for better aerodynamics. The new Etios and Liva offer more leg space.
“We have rolled out the most advanced diesel technology, which is also being used in our cars like the Innova, Corolla Altis, Fortuner, Prado and LC 200. The technology has earned a reputation worldwide for its enhanced quality, durability and reliability,” Toyota Kirloskar Motor or TKM managing director Hiroshi Nakagawa said.
TKM deputy managing director (marketing) Sandeep Singh averred, “The alternative fuel variants are being offered in the wake of customer feedback. Customers have accepted the Etios and the Etios Liva with the cars logging sales of over 33,000 in just about four months. We hope to sell 63,000 cars of the Etios family in India this year.”
The firm is raising the number of dealerships in the country to 175 from 163.
TKM had targeted sales of 1.45 lakh across its various models this year. But later, it had to scale the figure down in the wake of production losses, after Japan was hit by a tsunami and earthquake.
But in order to meet the burgeoning demand for its cars, TKM is ramping up production at the second plant in Bangalore to 2.10 lakh cars by 2013 from 1.20 lakh now.
Like other car majors, Toyota has had a good run with its diesel models with sales of diesel vehicles rising substantially to over 70 per cent in the last few months.
But the company wants its diesel and petrol models to sell in the ratio of 60:40 and plans to raise awareness among potential customers to shore up sales of its petrol cars.
India’s fad for diesel models as well as Toyota cars will surely jack up the auto company’s earnings with the Etios and Liva diesel model launches and could lead to substantial bookings, at least in the near term.
Friday, August 7, 2015
Toyota’s new Camry a damp squib
With Merc and BMW planning a litany of cars in the Rs 25 lakh bracket, Toyota, one of the world’s most popular car brands, is also charting plans to rev up in this segment with the launch of its premium mid-sized sedan, the new Camry (the car may turn out to be a damp squib though), which carries a price tag of Rs 23.8 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).
After numerous modifications, the Japanese car company, which is among the most popular brands even in the US, has brought in its seventh generation car to India.
 |
| The new Toyota Camry. |
The new Camry, which will be assembled in the car maker’s facility in Bidadi near Bangalore, comes with a six-speed automatic.
Power is delivered through a 2.5-litre variable valvetrain (VVT-i) engine that offers 178 bhp, according to the company.
Power is delivered through a 2.5-litre variable valvetrain (VVT-i) engine that offers 178 bhp, according to the company.
The petrol sedan’s 2.5 litre dual VVT-I engine belts out top power of 181 PS and 233 Nm of torque at 4,100 rpm.
In its class, the new Camry offers a fair mileage at 12.1 km per litre (under ideal conditions though).
The company says that one of the highlights of the new Camry is the cruise control feature along with an advanced trip computer, which helps maintain data regarding mileage and distance of journey.
One of the modifications this time is that the cabin of the new Camry is completely sound proof, offering a comfortable ride on the road.
Toyota is offering the new Camry in four colours, namely, White Pearl Crystal Shine, Silver Metallic, Attitude Black and Beige Metallic.
The new Camry actually does not have much to offer. Even though it may look new from the exterior, over 90 per cent of its parts are same as in the previous models.
The exterior has a fabricated fresh five-slat chrome grille, curvilinear body styling along with bold and angular headlamps. In the interiors, the impeccable quality of wood and leather gives a fillip to the comfort level.
So, bringing little modification to its components is a hindrance factor for the car maker, especially when rival car companies in the same bracket are charting aggressive plans to grab this market.
When a new car is launched, customers, especially in the high-end bracket, expect better performance as well as new safety and comfort features. With these not being there in the new car, buyers may feel that they are opting for the same old Camry.
Also, the price is not attractive enough and this could wean away buyers.
The new Camry will vie with the likes of Honda Accord, Volkswagen Passat and Skoda Superb and would have a petrol option only, which is another impediment.
So, with no diesel variant and not much to talk about so far as modifications go, the new Camry may turn out to be a damp squib for Toyota.
Monday, August 3, 2015
Toyota Camry Hybrid may not be a game-changer now
Hybrid cars may not be the in thing in India today, but by rolling out the new Camry Hybrid, Toyota is giving its buyers a new option in the wake of a rise in fuel prices, as many car buffs may want to have the convenience of a dual fuel option in their cars and could make a beeline for the new Camry but it will not be a game-changer for now.
Toyota has achieved a milestone with the new Camry Hybrid by making it the first locally-made hybrid car on India’s roads, pricing it at Rs 29.75 lakh (Delhi ex-showroom).
 |
| The Toyota Camry Hybrid. |
The new Camry runs on Hybrid Synergy Drive, which automatically changes the power source keeping in view the driving conditions. The engine and motor come with a power output of 205 PS.
The electric motor can also turn into a generator to convert the kinetic energy to electricity. Toyota claims that the Camry offers a fuel efficiency of 19.16 km to a litre, which is indeed a big feat.
The Camry Hybrid’s battery is nickel metal hydride and its capacity stands at 6.5 amperes per hour. The battery pack is located behind the back seat.
The new Camry Hybrid wears a similar look to its non-hybrid counterpart. However, the new car comes with solid add-ons like power reclining rear seats along with rear armrests with controls for the seats, AC and music system.
In terms of features, the car also comes with ventilated front seats, tilt and telescopic steering column with memory function, and a collapsible headrest for the front passenger seat.
Additional features of the hybrid include Regenerative Braking technology, lower NVH levels, lower fuel consumption and emissions as low as 122.8 gm of CO2 emissions per km of driving. These are some enhancements offered with the hybrid version.
Safety features have got a leg up and include four airbags, hill start assist control, vehicle stability control, traction control and corner sensors.
So, with the Camry Hybrid rollout, Toyota may not benefit much in the near term, but in the long term, the government could enhance the infrastructure for hybrid cars (by paving the way for more battery recharge stations and higher sops), and as the market matures, it could make Toyota a big brand name in hybrids, allowing it to become the game-changer in the industry.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)