Will introduce hybrid variants of existing models instead of standalone hybrids.
In an interview with Financial Express, N Raja, senior vice-president and director of Marketing & Sales, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, states that the Toyota Corolla Hybrid could make better sense in India than standalone hybrid models.
He was quoted saying:
Instead of looking at bringing an all-new hybrid car to India, we might look at introducing hybrid variants of the cars we already have in India. For example, the Corolla has a hybrid variant in the global markets, which can make sense in India.
There appears to be a rise in interest towards hybrids, since hybrid and electric vehicles are exempted from New Delhi’s Odd-Even schemes, as well appealing incentives from various government schemes for hybrid and electric vehicles. Further affirming Toyota's point is the locally assembled Toyota Camry Hybrid, for which sales had increased from 45-50 units per month to 80 units in the first month of 2016. TKM sold over 1,000 Camry hybrid sedans in 2015, making it the best selling full hybrid car.
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Currently, China is the only market where Toyota sells the Corolla Hybrid. It packs a 1.5-liter Atkinson cycle engine paired to an electric motor, which collectively develops 99 hp and has a fuel efficiency of 20.40 km/l (in the Chinese driving cycle). It’s unclear if the India-spec model will pack the above powertrain, although it is likely to be locally assembled like its bigger sibling.
[Source: Financial Express]
