Greater Noida: Toyota, the world’s biggest car maker by sales, has declared that by 2050, it would phase out all petrol and diesel cars and instead introduce alternative fuel like fuel cell cars for the world.
In line with this strategy, Toyota Kirloskar Motor unveiled the fourth generation new hybrid car Prius. It would be imported via completely built unit route for the domestic market later in the year. Impacted by the Supreme Court ban on its big diesel cars the company is also planning to bring to India a range of small cars to increase profitability.
With an attractive design, the new Prius combines a super premium styling and enjoyable driving dynamics that defy conventional notions of an ecocar, the company claimed. Pioneer of hybrid technology, the Prius is the first vehicle to be built on Toyota new generation architecture and the most favoured of its eco-friendly innovation, it boasted.
While Toyota Camry costs about Rs 30 lakh, the Camry Hybrid is priced at Rs 35 lakh in India. “While Camry sold about 1,000 units last fiscal, sales of the Camry Hybrid jumped 90 per cent,” N Raja, senior vice president and director, sales division at Toyota Kirloskar Motor told FC in an exclusive interaction, adding that after the ban on big diesel cars in NCR, Camry Hybrid sales soared 50 per cent.
The maker of Innova and Fortuner model cars, presently banned in Delhi and NCR, is in discussion with Japan’s Daihatsu, which has a large portfolio from entry level cars to sedans, to SUVs and MUVs. “Toyota, which has a 51 per cent equity in Daihatsu, will buy out the brand known for its large range of small cars in August 2016,” Raja said.
The small car product range would help Toyota to challenge dominant market leader Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai and Honda. At present, with only 5 per cent market share, Toyota’s entry level Liva and Etios range are priced higher than their rivals in India. “We need a range of small cars for the country’s price sensitive market to drive volumes,” Raja said.
But new products development and entering the growing Indian market would take about four-five years, he said.
