The Etios, Toyota’s Small Car For Indian Market

Posted by Admin on December 23rd, 2009 | No Comments

Toyota small car launch was discussed in Wheelosphere before too. Way back in August we reported that Toyota named their small car as Economical Family Car(EFC). In the first week of December Toyota Kirloskar officially announced they will be displaying their Small car concept in upcoming New Delhi Auto Expo. Now the exciting part of the story, it is believed that Toyota is planning christen their small car as “The Etios” (means “the origin of”).

Toyota Etios is taking it’s final shape. In 2010 Auto Expo Toyota will display production prototype of Etios. The model, although it is 90 percent finished will be further fine tuned and launched in second half of next year. Initially Toyota will be launching Etios Hatchback and months later Etios Sedan will follow. Toyota Kirloskar already started working on their new plant to meet the expected market demand.

The power plant options of Toyota Etios may be available in both diesel and petrol fuels. The diesel version will share the engine Toyota Yaris. TKML is in the process of finalizing the gasoline engine variant. The gasoline engine displacement could be 1.2 ltr or 1.3 ltr. The 1.2ltr engine is the most likely candidate as it will comfortable fall in small car segment in India.

So what to expect and who will be trouble? Toyota Etios will emerge as a strong opponent for their Japanese peer’s Suzuki Swift, Korean beauty I-20 and Fiat Grande Punto. The on road price of Toyota Etios should fall in the price range of above cars to impress Indian buyer. If Toyota actually want to create economical small car, they may have to do some compromise interms of brought out parts. So we can expect not so lucrative interiors, single wiper, just to fit seats etc.

Toyota will become another manufacturer developing India as their small car manufacturing hub. India may see first batch of Toyota The Etios small car then other emerging countries will join the party. Manufacturers like Honda, Nissan, Chevrolet, Ford, VW already decided to make India as a manufacturing hub for their Global markets. So watch this space for further updates coming.