Monday, February 25, 2013
By Shilpa Chopra
Toyota kicks off production of Etios Liva and Etios sedan engine and transmission
Toyota has commenced the production at its new plant. This plant manufactures engine and transmission for the Toyota Etios Liva and Toyota Etios sedan. As per the details available, the car maker has an installed capacity of producing more than 1 lakh engines and more than double the number of transmissions for the said vehicles at the new plant. It is said that Toyota has made India a hub for Etios Liva and Etios sedan exports and thus the after the domestic demand is met, the rest of the production capacity will be utilized in using the parts in cars for exports.
Notably, the Liva and Etios sedan are emerging as two best selling models besides the recent spur in demand for Toyota Fortuner. Where the Liva is becoming the heartthrob of the small car segment and the Liva TRD Sportivo, the first choice of those who wish to be behind the wheels of some sporty machine, the Etios is well picked by the taxi segment. The Fortuner SUV on the other hand is beating it rivals – Ford Endeavour, Chevrolet Captiva and others badly and has become a market leader. Though the Fortuner too is being threatened by Mahindra XUV 500 which is seen as a car having the same features but at a much less price.
The new production unit will be smoothening the production as well as supply of Toyota cars in India and the export destinations. Also, with India made engine under the hood of the petrol models of Etios and Etios Liva, these cars now have around 90 percent localization content which is quite an achievement and shows how bullish the car maker is about India. Meanwhile, the car maker is also focusing on expansion of its dealer network as well as service network in the country in order to boost after sales service.
