Toyota Launches New Etios Car in India

Japan’s Toyota made a push into the Indian mass market Wednesday with the launch of its cheapest car model yet for India.

With the Etios sedan and hatchback, Toyota is hoping to plug its absence in the compact car segment.

This group accounts for over 70 percent of the total market, and is expanding rapidly alongside rising incomes and economic development.

India’s car sales are set to grow nearly 35 percent this year.

Toyota president Akio Toyoda says a lot of time went into making the car.

[Akio Toyoda, President, Toyota Motors Corporation]:
„In the development of the Etios the developers and special engineers took much time to consult suppliers and they spent much time testing the car on the road.“

With a base sticker price of $10,900, Toyota hopes to sell 70 thousand of the Etios cars next year.

Perhaps mindful of the firm’s tarnished reputation after recalls amounting to 14 million cars, Toyoda stressed that quality was given top priority.

[Akio Toyoda, President, Toyota Motors Corporation]:
„We have emphasized, we have given the highest priority to quality, because we feel that that is what customers are most concerned about. Myself, as well as the company had this in mind, when we created the car, so I think that the finished product is something that people can ride in without worry.“

Toyoda’s comments came ahead of latest U.S. car sales figures for November, with Toyota the only automaker to post a drop in sales. Sales of local rivals Honda, and Nissan grew by over 20 percent, while Hyundai and Kia posted over 45 percent gains.

Foto: NTDTV