Indian Autos blog

VW plans to dominate the world by 2018 are surely on track with the company claiming to be the number 2 manufacturer of the world. According to Car Advice, VW sold 8.16 million units in 2011 whereas Toyota sold 7.9 million thus making VW the second biggest automotive company (by sales).

The total gain in sales amounts to a whopping 14.3-percent surge as compared to the auto giant’s 2010 sales.

The key growth markets were India and China. An impressive 2.25 million vehicles were shipped in China and deliveries in India more than doubled to 111,600 units.

There is surprise twist in the story as well. GM, predicted to be the numero uno manufacturer of 2011, has not yet declared its sales figures. If GM does not manage to shift more than 8.16 million, the VW’s goal would be accomplished 6 years early.

VW plans to be #1 manufacturer of the world by 2018 by shifting over 10 million units annually.

The tussle between the Auto Manufacturers and Environmentalists has existed since a long time. The environmentalists believe that because of auto manufacturers global warming is increasing at an alarming rate and they will be the sole reason for the world’s doom.

Well, in your face environmentalist because Toyota has been named as the world’s greenest brand by an Independent analytical firm – Interbrand.

Toyota successfully clinched the title after defeating many behemoths such as 3M and Siemens. Oh yes, it is not just environmentally conscious among car manufacturers but it is the most environmentally conscious brand!

Interbrand measured environmental performance and public perception of brands across industries and calculated a Green Performance Score. This data was collected from all the major markets such as UK, France, Germany, Italy, USA, Japan, Brazil and India.

The consultancy firm also interviewed around 10,000 consumers to gauge perception of a brand’s green performance. Toyota received a score of 64.19 points because of its multiple eco efforts, such as its market leader position in terms of full hybrid technology and its green manufacturing facilities.

Other automakers listed in the survey include Volkswagen (6), Honda (7), Hyundai (11), BMW (12), Mercedes-Benz (16) and Ford (20).

The details are out of the first contender of the three major hatchbacks (Liva, Brio & Swift) that are expected to hit Indian Auto Market in 2011. It is official – The Toyota Liva will grace us all on the 27th of this month in Delhi. The much anticipated Liva will be the first of the new challengers that are expected to create a stir in the Indian hatchback market.  [ Read More ]

After rumors of Nissan planning to bring the Infiniti brand to India, it was only time that Toyota announces the Lexus brand in India. India and China are two of the most lucrative markets for luxury cars right now. Most international brands are making a beeline to enter the Indian market as soon as possible. However, Lexus cars (being a luxury brand) will not sold from Toyota’s sales outlets. If the company brings the line of luxury sedans and SUVs, it will establish separate dealerships for retailing them.

During an interaction with Indian Autos Blog back in December 2009, a top TKM official said there was a plan in place to bring Lexus to India. He was however unwilling to commit on a time frame. Lexus vehicles are currently brought into the country by private importers.

Toyota India also has plans to introduce a Financial Subsidiary so that the customers can avail of loan facility easily. Called as Toyota Financial Services, this subsidiary will help boost Toyota’s auto sales in the future. Their market study is almost over, though a final decision on entry is still pending.

At the outset, Team IAB would extend our heartfelt condolences to all our friends and their families in Japan and wish them a speedy recovery. God has shown his horrific side to Japan. The devastating earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan last week has crippled its entire economy. Nature has made its point and the Indian Auto market has also felt the tremors of this disaster. Brio Delayed The much  [ Read More ]

What you see in the picture above is the creativity of Toyota‘s Tokyo Design Studio folks. This is an illustration of how radical utility vehicles and minivans could look in the future.

The artists got their inspiration from Japan’s Bullet train and Tokyo’s futuristic river boat. The car with its flowing contours look too good to be built into a car.

The designers seem to have taken Toyota’s ‘Going Green’ approach a bit too seriously as they have ‘planted’ a tree in the middle of the extended center console. Is that bonsai or will it grow through the roof? The sun roof finally found a purpose for the Indian customer!

The car has been given transparent door panels, and a panoramic roof that gives a scenic view of the surroundings.
The car also has a little seat which can revolve 360°, this is for curious kids.

Though this wouldn’t be the related to the 2nd generation Toyota Innova, these styles and design cues could be carried over to the third generation Innova?

click through to read more

Toyota Camry – causing more problems for Toyota in US

Toyota is completely focused on customer service in the US. That is definitely good. Providing the best customer service is key to growth and loyalty.

Bob Carter, Vice President, Toyota Group remarked -

We have a singular focus today – taking care of the customers on an individual basis. That’s everything that we are doing. Quite frankly, nothing else is important.

I read through Mr.Carter’s remark twice before making any logical conclusions. Focusing on customer service is fine and he could have stopped with that.

The series of recalls recently will divert Toyota’s attention towards earlier cars

If you list out some of the reasons for an auto company to grow and sustain growth – Quality, new car development and brand reputation would be there on that list. At least one of these would be right on the top of that list. At a very high level, I was thinking of the implications of recent recalls by Toyota on the company’s immediate future.

Let’s see, Quality is definitely under scrutiny after the recall. In fact, Toyota is being cautious and self scrutinizing its other car models. After the Prius recall, Toyota have notified the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) in US that some of the 2010 Camry models could be prone to a leakage in the brake fluid. The NHTSA have also received complaints about the steering system on the 2009 and 2010 Corollas, which complicates the current situation.

New car development might also be questionable. With efforts (time, money, dealers, people etc etc) being invested in managing these recalls, it may be a case that new car development is on the back burner. Let us hope this is not the case. As of today, the company is spending much effort on managing the recalls of cars like the Camry or the Prius that are already generations old.

click through to read more