Indian Autos blog

While there are many rumors floating around the internet on the Avanza’s Indian journey, the fact is Toyota will not bring all-new models till the end of 2012. Their energy is concentrated on seeing off the Etios twins and bringing in IMV platform (Innova and Fortuner) facelifts.

Currently TKM is discussing the matter with Toyota Motor Corporation and there is no better stage than Auto Expo 2012 to launch one of them. As the Innova is the older of the two and fresh competition is here in the form of the Maruti R3 MPV and Nissan NV200, it is a good ploy to upgrade the Innova simultaneously.

Leaving out the CBU-route next gen Camry, in 2013 Toyota is likely to bring its next (completely) new product to the Indian market. We don’t know which one it is, but the MPV segment has caught the fancy of TKM.

We spoke to Mr Sandeep Singh during the launch of the Etios Liva earlier this year and asked him about their participation in the Qualis segment which they exited with the launch of the Innova.

Mr Sandeep Singh, DMD Toyota Kirloskar Motor to Indian Autos Blog back in June 2011 -

We know that the segment (immediately below the Innova) is very important for us, we would like to enter into that segment. But as of now we don’t have any products that fits in well. We have many products, but we don’t have any product that fits in very well as per Indian conditions. You will not see us in that segment with any product at least for the next 2-3 years. We have not taken a decision if not we would have entered in the next two years. We are looking at that segment, we know that segment very well, we have done very well (with Qualis). We are in the upper end of that segment with the Innova.

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Wow! Paul Tan is reporting that Toyota will launch a new MPV in Indonesia this year. The report states the launch could either be the next generation Avanza or Innova. These two models have been around for a long time and updating them is inevitable given the rise in number of players in the MPV segment.

We think this development has to be related to India as Toyota is toying with the idea of bringing a MPV to India that will sit just above the Etios. The Etios platform might serve as an apt base, but TKM officials dismissed it as speculation.

Marketing GM Widyawati Soedigdo of PT Toyota-Astra Motor (TAM) -

Akan ada mobil baru salah satunya MPV di IIMS (There will be a new MPV at Indonesia International Motor Show 2011)

Also listen in to what was said last year -

Toyota Motor Asia Pacific Senior Vice President (Area Operations Division) Vonce S Socco told reporters last year-

There is a room for another model between Etios and Innova. We are seriously considering it and a study is going on for this. But if anything like that happens, it will be in 2012 or after that. Nothing has been finalised yet, but our inclination is towards a multi purpose vehicle

TAM officials say the new MPV will be “much improved” and the pricing will be “very competitive.” The IIMS will be held in July.

If this product is the next generation Avanza, we can certainly expect Toyota to consider it for our market.

The Innova made its debut overseas in 2004 and went under the surgeon’ knife in 2008. The smaller Avanza is a much older product, debuting back in 2003, the last time it was given a facelift was five years ago. The Innova might not witness a thorough overhaul as it is selling well. Instead Toyota might carry out a re-skinning operation and lend it extra features. The MPV discussed here is very likely to be the Avanza.

By 2012, Toyota should start work on a compact MPV that will take on the likes of the Maruti R3 and GM’s Chinese MPV. This will mark the company’s re-entry into the inexpensive MPV segment it exited when the Qualis was withdrawn. Toyota’s recent products have gained loud applause. The Etios, without any doubt, is composing history and headaches for the company. The Altis diesel is upping its game while  [ Read More ]

Toyota is now getting hands-on in the Indian Market. After the announcement of the Etios and Liva, the company is now considering a mini MPV positioned between Etios and Innova.

Toyota Motor Asia Pacific Senior Vice President (Area Operations Division) Vonce S Socco told reporters -

There is a room for another model between Etios and Innova. We are seriously considering it and a study is going on for this. But if anything like that happens, it will be in 2012 or after that. Nothing has been finalised yet, but our inclination is towards a multi purpose vehicle.”

Unfortunately he offered no further details or possible specifications of the model. Looking at the options, Toyota could use the Etios platform to make this MPV. It also has the opportunity of going back to the IMV platform (that underpins Fortuner, Innova and Hilux pickup truck) to form the framework for this new people carrier. Or else, it could work on the Toyota Avanza, sold in many Asian countries with a petrol engine, and fix a compact diesel engine on it.

This comes as a no-shocker to us as GM, Hyundai and Ford are already charting up plans to bring their respective MPVs on the Indian roads. Of course, Toyota doesn’t want to miss this opportunity.

What this MPV will help Toyota do is re-enter the low-cost MPV segment which it exited after it laid the Qualis to rest.

A refurbished Avanza suiting Indian conditions could be a likely option

Talking to reporters at the Tokyo Motor Show, the company’s higher officials said TKM (Toyota Kirloskar Motors) is working on a smaller MPV that will fit under the Innova. This vehicle will cost 6-8 lakh rupees.

Toyota is looking at introducing a five- or six-seater with a sub 2.0-litre diesel engine. This product will be marketed as a people mover. It is not known if Toyota would use an existing car, such as the low cost Avanza MPV, which it sells in other parts of Asia, as the backbone of this new project.

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