A vitally important car for the European market, Toyota's all-new Yaris has been launched in Europe. Ask me why this is on Indian Autos Blog and I'll tell you that the sedan version of the Yaris is an interesting option for the Indian market. If you are new here you might want to read our earlier discussion the Yaris sedan's chances in India.
Companies are taking up the C-Segment on war footing. We saw the Verna break cover in May. The Fiesta will be launched next month. Nissan's Sunny will be released during the festive season followed by the Skoda Rapid in 2012.
A host of new sedans are ready to burst out on to the market and the only company that's staying on the sidelines is Toyota. But having to deal with the backlogs of the Etios and the Japanese twin disaster has not been easy for them. Once the Etios Liva and diesel variants come out, waiting lines will get longer. We're not going to see Toyota explore new segment until the Etios is run in.
Indian newspapers in recent times have reported on the possibility of a smaller MPV between the Etios and the Innova. We think the Yaris sedan will fit in just above the Etios and it is a model Toyota should give serious thought to.
The 1.5-liter petrol from the Etios could be the best bet for the Yaris along with the 1.4 D4D from the Corolla Altis. The replacement model will have a sporty design. Thailand is one of the bigger markets for the Yaris sedan and the replacement could touch down there in early 2013.
