Wednesday, November 30, 2011
By Pranjal Gera
New Toyota SUV likely to be launched in India in Rs 10 to 12 lakh range
Toyota Kirloskar Motors, the Indian subsidiary of the Japanese Auto giant, is mulling over the option of launching an all new sports utility vehicle in the Indian market very soon. The prospective Toyota SUV is believed to be in development stage currently and is expected to be shelved in the price segment of Rs 10 to 12 lakh.
The new Toyota SUV will be based on modified Etios platform, the same platform which was used for development of Etios Sedan that debuted in the Indian market about a year back. The decision of rolling-out a new SUV in India, where it already has segment leading MUV Innova, is seems to have been taken in a bid to capitalize on the rising demand of SUVs/MUVs in the country.
In past few years, the demand for utility vehicles in the country has been increasing continuously, attracting a number of major players in passenger vehicle segment including country’s largest car maker Maruti Suzuki that is all set to launch its Ertiga MUV in the country next year.
The New Mahindra SUV will be taking with the rivals like Mahindra XUV 500, Tata Safari, Mahindra Scorpio, Tata Sumo and its own sibling Innova. So far, Toyota’ Innova model has been a segment leader in the Indian market, and now with the launch new SUV, the company is looking forward to give one more leader for mass segment SUVs in India.
Besides, Innova, the other portfolio vehicles of Toyota in India include compact hatchback Etios Liva, entry level sedan Etios, premium sedan Corolla Altis, premium luxury sedan Camry and popular compact luxury SUV Fortuner.
