Indian Autos blog

Toyota’s IMV platform which underpins both the Innova and Fortuner, has made headlines in Thailand.

Toyota initiated the IMV project to achieve a global manufacturing and supply system for utility vehicles. The components for the IMV platform don’t come from Japan. Asean regions have benefited hugely from this versatile platform which has seen one MPV (Innova), SUV (Fortuner) and pickup truck (Hilux).

Exports of Toyota’s IMV (Innovative International Multipurpose Vehicle) series manufactured in Thailand touched the one million mark recently. The IMV series models are sold to customers in some 109 markets around the world. Indonesia, Philippines, India, Argentina, Malaysia, South Africa, Venezuela, Vietnam, Taiwan and Pakistan build vehicles on the IMV platform.

The Toyota Fortuner is imported into India as knocked-down kits and assembled at TKM’s Bidadi facility near Bangalore.

We’re in the dark about the future of the IMV platform. If it yields another vehicle, we think it should be a MPV smaller than the Innova.

Toyota has launched a refreshed Innova with new colors, exteriors, climate control, steering mounted audio controls and an in-dash CD changer. The mechanicals remain the same and this is a frantic attempt by the company to woo its customers and take some attention away from the new kid on the MPV block- The Mahindra XYLO.

The Japanese carmaker – Toyota Kirloskar is all set to launch its popular MUV in India – Toyota Innova in CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) version by end – January 2009, hoping to stir demand amid sagging sales. The company is also conducting trials of Innova CNG.

Caddy is technically a commercial vehicle in the UK with no windows or doors behind the front row seats. This obviously will not work in India as a taxi but, certainly has prospects for a parcel van.