Toyota Etios to Foray in December 2010; Diesel Variant on Charts

Toyota will begin the commercial production of its upcoming small car model Toyota Etios, in December 2010. The company is set to launch the car in the Indian market, in the same month or early 2011. According to Toyota, there has been a very good response for its new small car, including the diesel variant. Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) Deputy Managing Director Sandeep Singh said "Considering the response, we are also looking at bringing out a diesel version of the Etios, but nothing has been finalized so far".

Toyota Kirloskar Motors has a strong presence in the premium segment with sedan models like Toyota Corolla Altis, Toyota Camry and its SUVs Toyota Fortuner and Land Cruiser Prado. The small new car comes as a strategic move to generate higher volume sales and grab a larger market share in the growing Indian market. Singh added, "The final price will be decided later. While the hatchback will compete with Maruti Suzuki's Swift, Hyundai's i20 petrol and Volkswagen's Polo, the sedan version will be positioned along Maruti's DZire and Tata's Manza."

The all new Toyota Etios is expected to be launched initially as a 1.2L hatchback petrol model. Toyota, later, plans to introduce Etios diesel model and a 1.5L sedan variant in the Indian market. Toyota Etios will be priced between Rs. 4 lakh to Rs. 6.75 lakh.