Toyota Etios on schedule; Spy pictures from Bangalore

These are the first spy shots to come out on the acclaimed Toyota Etios. The car looks exactly the same as the concept car displayed at the Auto Expo and the test mules have been covered in white to camouflage them. The sedan has shades of the Indigo Manza in the rear flanks and is a Logan (with some fillets added) from the rear and it remains to be seen how the masses take to the styling of the Etios.

The trademark single wiper is visible from the front and looking at the Swift standing behind it, it looks very similar in size to the former. While Toyota is gearing up to launch its Etios, there are a host of other cars from the Polo, Micra, Figo and sedan versions of all the three hatches to beat. Lets not forget shall we that the all new Swift is also expected in end 2010 to early 2011. This is a battle of brand name Vs substance. We will have to wait to see which one wins.

Toyota also launched the ‘Q’ World programme, a two day event where the company will showcase its entire range of cars displayed at the Auto Expo. The journey of these cars will continue through 10 cities across India to ensure maximum visibility of their new products.  Toyota officials have mentioned that the Etios project is running as per the plans and that 2 variants of the sedan will be launched followed by the hatchback three months after that. Toyota is still deciding on the launch dates – December 2010 or early 2011. The production of the Etios will start in December 2010. “It could be launched in December 2010 or by early 2011”, said Mr. Sandeep Singh, deputy MD, Marketing, Toyota Kirloskar Motor.

Toyota’s second plant near Bangalore, that will manufacture the Etios is half way under construction and it will have a capacity of manufacturing 70,000 units annually and expandable to 2,00,000 units. Whether Toyota will sell as many Etios models remains to be seen. May the best car win.

Pictures courtesy : The good guys at Team-BHP