Toyota to make Etios in Brazil by 2012

     World’s number one automobile manufacturer Toyota plans to make Eitos in Brazil by 2012. The Etios was tailor made car for India and emerging markets like Brazil.


     Toyota said it will be setting up a plant in Brazil to make Etios small car with a capacity of 70,000 units per annum. Over 4000 engineers from Toyota spent 5 years to develop Etios.


     Toyota received overwhelming response by its customers in India for Etios sedan. With the launch of Etios hatchback, Toyota is aiming to dominate the Indian market as well.

Continue Reading | comments

Toyota hints at sub Liva and compact MPV for India

     Toyota Motor Corporation is looking India as a serious growth market. Though slow in its launches, the company is working on its models to give its customers quality vehicles which it has been doing for ages. The design and engineering of an India specific model Etios is a good example of how Toyota wants to do business. We guess other automakers should take a leaf out of Toyota's philosophy if it wants to do good all the time.


     Speaking on the occasion of the Etios Liva hatchback launch, Mr. Hiroji Onishi, President, Toyota Motor Asia Pacific hinted that the current line of cars are not sufficient for the company to cater to the growing demands of Indian market. He said the company is looking for more cars for India - a sub Liva, a sedan above Etios and a compact SUV. However he did not reveal the exact time frame for launch of these vehicles.

     With the growing competiton for top spot as World's Largest Automobile manufacturer, Toyota's India plans seems to be a major one. Volkswagen which is in 2nd place, next to Toyota has plans to dethorn Toyota from the top spot by 2018. We guess with the new car line ups, it might not be easy for Volkswagen to touch Toyota for the top spot.

Continue Reading | comments

2012 Toyota Camry image leaked

     Yesterday we reported about Mr. Akio Toyoda praising the new Camry as “the best Camry ever built” and now the image of the 7th generation Camry has been leaked on the web.

     The new Camry seen in the picture still holds that Toyota look. The grill is familiar with Toyota’s other vehicles namely Innova, Corolla Altis and Etios. However Toyota has given a change to the headlamps which now look same as that of India spec Honda Civic. Also seen in the picture is the outer rear view mirror incorporated in an Italian style on the waist line of the car instead on the corner of the front window.


     The car will be bigger than the current one and will carry the same power trains from its 6th Generation ancestor.

Source: Toyota Alabama

Continue Reading | comments

2012 Toyota Camry teaser

     The next generation Toyota Camry is ready and will be launched soon. This will be the 7th generation Camry which is a highly successful sedan in US market. Ahead of its launch, the company has released a teaser video of the car with Mr. Akio Toyoda applauding the car as " he best Camry ever". Expect the new Camry loaded with hi-tech features.

VIDEO

Continue Reading | comments

Toyota Etios Liva well received, clocks 1000 bookings in 3days

     Toyota Etios Liva was launched on 27th of last month in India and in just 3 days has clocked over 1000 bookings. Earlier when Toyota had launched the Etios sedan, it too got an overwhelming response with waiting periods going up to 6 months. If the things go the same way, even Etios Liva might demand a huge waiting period.

     As we have always said, it is the Liva diesel which the people of India are waiting for. It is the Liva diesel which is expected to give run for its money for the market leader Swift. If not the petrol Liva, the diesel version will definitely create a long waiting period. Toyota is running full capacity with 2 shifts at its Bangalore plant. The company is hiring over 2000 professionals to meet the market demand. Even after this, we feel Toyota will fall short in fulfilling the demands - only in quantity and definitely not in quality.

Continue Reading | comments (2)

Toyota Etios Liva diesel could be here anytime

     On the launching ceremony of the Etios Liva, Toytoa's top official has said that the company has all the expertise and technology of a diesel Liva but stayed away to mention the time frame for its launch.

     As we all know the diesel hatchback segment is the one which hotting up, thanks to the rise in petrol prices, Toyota would want its diesel Etios Liva to dominate the segment. Over 70% cars sold in the B segment hatch are diesel, be it Swift, Ritz, Polo or Micra.

     
     It is not sure weather Toyota will use its Yaris 1.4L diesel engine in the Etios Liva. Since the same engine does the duty on a bigger car Corolla Altis, Toyota might have developed a small diesel engine for the Etios Liva.


     Lot of buzz has been created about Liva taking on the Swift, but it is the diesel variants which should be focused on. Maruti is desperately working to launch the new Swift before the Liva diesel and if Toyota is wise enough (we feel it is), it should launch the diesel Liva as soon as possible.

Continue Reading | comments

Toyota Etios Liva launched in India, starts at Rs. 3.99 lakh

     Toyota has launched its much awaited small car Etios Liva in New Delhi today. The Etios Liva is priced between Rs. 3.99 - 5.99 lakh ex showroom New Delhi. This is the first car from world's largest automobile manufacturer Toyota in India. Earlier in December 2011, Toyota had launched the Etios sedan in India creating a flutter in the entry level sedan segment.


     The Etios Liva is powered by a 1.2L 4 cylinder petrol engine with 80 Bhp of power at 5600 rpm and 10.6 Kgm of torque at 3100 rpm. Toyota has worked extensively on reducing Etios Liva's weight which is just 890 Kg. This low weight helps the car to deliver good fuel efficiency of 18.3 Kmpl (ARAI certified).

     The Etios Liva has been built for India keeping in mind the conditions prevailing in the region. A lot of effort has been put for cost reduction to make the car competitive. In spite of reducing in the production cost, Etios Liva promises to deliver a decent performance.


     The Etios Liva will be available in 4 variants. The company aims to sell 1,00,000 units of Etios sedan and Etios Liva in the first year.


     Speaking on the launch of Etios Liva, Mr. Sandeep Singh, MD Toyota Kirloskar Motors said that Toyota now has become a complete manufacture in India with range of cars from small car to high end SUVs. He commented that Etios Liva is a stylish compact and a useful car.


     With the launch of Etios Liva and pricing it competitively, Toyota has created a price war in the B segment category. Other manufactures would definitely feel the heat and do not be surprised to see some price correction in the segment.


     As for the diesel Etios Liva, there is no news about it as of now. But Toyota indents to launch its small car Liva with its frugal and efficient diesel engines some time next year. It is the diesel Etios Liva which the industry is waiting for to compete against the market leader Swift. Since the diesel Liva would take some more time to come, Maruti can breathe easy for a while.

Continue Reading | comments

Toyota Fortuner facelift rear spy photo

     In our earlier post we had showed you how the facelifted Toyota Fortuner would look. We have the rear photo of the vehicle with redesigned tail lamp and chrome strip over the tail gate with Fortuner written on it. We guess Toyota will take some time before its launch in India since the current model still has waiting period.

Continue Reading | comments

Toyota Fortuner facelift will look like this

     The picture below shows how the facelifted Fortuner would look. The picture actually is the facelift of the Hilux pick up truck which shares the same platform with that of Fortuner. Many fellow bloggers posted the spy picture of the facelited Fortuner some days ago.


     The new look will enhance the appeal of the SUV. The changes are likely in the rear as well but nothing to expect in the interiors and under the hood. The facelifted Fortuner in India? We guess Toyota will drag it for an year to do so.

Continue Reading | comments

Toyota Etios Liva launch on 27th June

     Toyota will launch its much awaited hatchback Etios Liva on 27th of this month. Toyota is banking lots on the Etios Liva hatchback which has been specially designed for India. Toyota has been testing the vehicle in and around Bangalore for some time and wants to make sure it is has no nigglings when launched.




     Toyota Etios Liva is the hatchback version of the Etios sedan. Etios sedan was launched on 1st December last year and the company received overwhelming response for the Etios sedan. The Etios Liva was to be launched in March this year but due to the devastating earthquake in Japan, the company had to postpone its launch of over 4 months.


     Toyota has developed Eitos platform for developing markets most importantly for India. So the Etios will make its first debut in India and later will go to other parts of the world. This shows Toyota’s commitment to Indian car market which it has been studying for over a decade.


     With the launch of Eitos Liva, Toyota will definitely create a price war in the B segment hatchback segment. Only time can say who will be the winner, but by the strong history of Toyota we would bet Toyota will be the winner altogether.

Continue Reading | comments

Updated Toyota Corolla Altis launched in India

     Toyota has launched the updated Corolla Altis sedan in India. Till yesterday we were seeing the spy pictures of the car. The updated Corolla Altis features redesigned headlamps, grill and bumper in the front and redesigned tail lamps in the rear. The interiors now feature darker mock wood trim.


     The petrol engine of the old Corolla Altis has been tweaked to deliver 138 Bhp, 7Bhp more. The 5 speed manual transmission is replaced by a new 6 speed done and the top end variant will get a new 7 speed CVT unit. The diesel variant will feature the same 6 speed manual transmission.


     The prices of the new Corolla Altis has gone up by Rs. 15,000-24,000 for petrol model and Rs. 15,000-30,000 for the diesel one. The Corolla Altis petrol price starts from Rs. 10.53 lakh going up to Rs. 14.77 lakh while the diesel Altis prices ranges from Rs. 11.46 lakh to Rs. 14.55 lakh (All prices ex-showroom, New Delhi).

Prices (ex-showroom, New Delhi)


Toyota Corolla Altis Petrol


J- 10.53 lakh
G- 12.39 lakh
GL- 13.86 lakh
VL- 14.77 lakh


Toyota Corolla Altis Diesel


J- 11.46 lakh
G- 13.41 lakh
GL- 14.55 lakh

Continue Reading | comments

Toyota Innova facelift spied in Indonesia

     Toyota Innova facelift was spied in Indonesia where it will make its debut on 22^nd of July this year. Innova is an important vehicle for Toyota in South Asian markets. Since Innova has completed more than 6 years of its lifecycle, Toyota wants to keep it fresh to stay ahead in the competition.

     Later this year the facelifted Innova might be launched in India as well. Expect the new Innova to be slightly costlier than the present one.

     Maruti, Nissan and General Motors are reading with new family MPVs for India. These vehicles will directly compete with Innova which is presently the market leader in India. Though the design of the Innova is not that dated, Toyota intends to give a facelift to make it look fresh and stay ahead in the competition.

     As Toyota developed Etios for India and has launched it here, hope other vehicles from Toyota make it to India soon after their international debut.

Continue Reading | comments

Toyota Etios Liva spied in Bangalore, launch next month

     Toyota will launch Etios Liva which is the hatchback version of the Etios sedan next month. Etios Liva was supposed to be launched much earlier but due to Japan disaster was postponed to July this year.


     The Etios Liva promises a lot to Indian customers and is a car which comes close to the Swift rivaling. Other manufactures launching their cars to rival Swift were not successful, thanks to the ‘Best Hatchback’ tag of the Swift.


     The Etios Liva will be available in petrol engine. A 1.2L petrol engine is likely to power the car. Toyota has worked on so many parameters to suit the car for Indian conditions. It’s hard to say Etios Liva will sweep the market in the segment, but it will definitely make a big impact on Indian automotive industry for sure.


The Etios Liva was found testing in Bangalore. Have a look at the pictures.

Continue Reading | comments

Toyota overtakes BMW as the World’s Most Valuable Automobile Brand in 2011

     According to BrandZ top 100 annual study, Toyota has regained the tag World’s Most Valuable Automobile Brand, which it lost to BMW because of the recalls. Toyota saw 11% increase in its brand value which is now rated as $24.2 billion.


     Toyota was named most valuable brand for 4 consecutive times from 2006-09. In 2010 Toyota lost the first place to BMW because of recall issues. BMW ranked second this year followed by Mercedes Benz, Honda and Porsche. The other companies in the Top 10 Automotive list are Nissan, VW, Ford, Audi and Lexus.

Continue Reading | comments

Toyota Corolla Altis 7 speed automatic transmission here next month

     Toyota has been testing its Corolla Altis facelift for some time in and around Bangalore. Speculation of an 1.6L petrol engine to compete with Honda City was considered seeing the camouflaged face lifted Corolla Altis.


     Autocarindia reports that the face lifted Corolla Altis will come with a 7 speed automatic transmission (CVT) in India next month. At present Corolla Altis is available with 4 speed torque converter transmission.

     The facelift for the new Altis includes a new grill, new headlamps and new bumpers. The company will retain the 1.8L petrol and 1.4L diesel engine options and the 1.6L petrol engine is ruled out. Expect to see little rise in the new Corolla Altis price.

Continue Reading | comments

Toyota Etios new tv commercial

     Toyota has come up with a new commercial of its recently launched Etios sedan which reflects the tradition of India. Toyota has been stressing on Indian customs and traditions making sure that it is serious about India. 

Continue Reading | comments

Toyota Etios Liva launch postponed

     Toyota has postponed the launch of its hatchback Etios Liva from April to June this year. Toyota wants to reduce the waiting period of Etios sedan by half the current time. Toyota is taking various steps to boost Etios production like starting a second shift, reducing the production time per vehicle and one of them is postponing the launch of the Etios Liva hatchback.

      TKM Managing Director, Hiroshi Nakagawa said: “We are thankful for the positive consumer response to the Etios and for the resulting demand. Our customer-first philosophy means that we put the customers' needs ahead of everything else - it is this philosophy that has always helped Toyota manufacture quality products and maximize customer satisfaction.”

Continue Reading | comments

Toyota to offer Etios Liva for Etios sedan bookers

     Toyota has received an immense response to the Etios sedan booking. Perhaps Toyota did not expect so many booking at the time of Etios sedan launch. Because of huge order, the company is not in a position to deliver the car in time, waiting period reaching up to 8 months.

     In order to gain the customer confidence Toyota has offered its small car Etios Liva for the people who have booked for Etios sedan. The Etios Liva small car will be launched in March this year. The company announced this privilege to offer Etios Liva to Etios sedan clearly reflects that it does not want to loose its customers canceling and going for a rival car. 

Continue Reading | comments

Toyota Prius c Concept unveiled at Detroit Auto Show

     Toyota has unveiled Prius c Concept at the North American International Auto Show (Detroit Auto Show) being held at Detroit.

Toyota Prius c Concept Video

Toyota Prius c Concept Pictures

Continue Reading | comments

Next Generation Toyota Yaris breaks cover

     Toyota has uncovered the third generation Yaris hatchback in Japan. Yaris, also called Vitz in International ly features a sharp styling with compact exterior outlook yet with roomy interiors.  The engine has been developed to give outstanding figures of 26.5 Kmpl.

Video

Continue Reading | comments