Toyota Etios Diesel to be launched by Dec, 2011

Toyota Motors that is tasting success with its recently launched Toyota Etios Sedan and Toyota Etios Liva (unveiled during the launch) is now mulling over to launch the Diesel version of Toyota Etios. A company official revealed that the Toyota Etios Diesel may be launched sometime in December 2011.

Koji Nagata, Director, Marketing, Toyota Kirloskar, stated that the company is studying on the decision about Toyota Etios Diesel and they hope that it would be launched by December, next year. The car may face competition from Nissan Micra Diesel among other cars, which will be launched on 10th December this year.

Toyota Motors that operates as a joint venture with Kirloskar Motors in India has plans to increase the localization of components in Toyota Etios by 90 per cent that currently stands at 70 per cent.

The model Toyota Etios sedan, launched in Bangalore on 1st December comes with a 1.5 L DOHC engine that churns out a power of 90 Bhp and a torque of 132 Nm. Offering a mileage of 17. 6 kmpl, this Rs 4.96 lac car is all set to lock horns with Maruti swift Dzire, Hyundai Accent, Ford Ikon and Tata Manza in the Indian auto market. Toyota Etios Liva that will enter the Indian roads in April next year will have a 1.2 L engine offering 80 Bhp. The car will come with a price tag of Rs. 4.2 lac as expected.

Seems like Toyota is all set to dive into the over crowed but opportunistic market with its models. Giving Toyota a headstart, Toyota Etios bagged bookings of 3077 units in just two days of its launch. Only time will tell if this Japanese car pioneer will maintain its brand reputation in this much competitive market.