The next-gen Toyota Etios could be in the making, suggests a report from The Economic Times.
Speaking to the business publication last month, Masakazu Yoshimura, Managing Director, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, talked about increasing its presence in the mass-market segments. “We are looking at upgrading the Etios and Liva along with a smaller car solution,” he said.
The Toyota Etios sedan has failed in India. Moving to its second generation, one way the the low-cost sub-compact sedan could revive fortunes is seeing its length reducing from 4,369 mm to under 4,000 mm. This way, it will attract lower taxes, resulting in lower prices. Toyota's cheapest sedan globally would need designers to give it a radical departure, and the interior is an area that needs a revolutionary shift.
Toyota may not need to independently develop a platform and range of engines for its second generation Etios range tailored as per the emissions, fuel efficiency and safety requirements in India. It can consider leveraging its partnership with Suzuki, like simply borrow the Heartect platform for the all-new Swift and Dzire rival. Licensing this platform would allow the company to enter the lucrative A-segment as well.
Before Toyota can introduce the next-gen Etios, one mandatory upkeep is reworking the engine and safety features to meet new safety and emission regulations.
Also See: 2019 Toyota Camry Hybrid detailed in a walkaround video
The all-new Toyota Etios range is unlikely to arrive before the next decade. By 2020, one can expect a facelift for the Innova Crysta and the Fortuner and the twelfth generation Corolla. Toyota Kirloskar Motor has confirmed that it will launch the Toyota-badged Maruti Baleno this year. The Toyota-badged Maruti Vitara Brezza may arrive in 2020 or later.
[Source: auto.economictimes.indiatimes.com]
