-Aims to sell 30,000 to 40,000 units annually
-Expected to evaluate a hybrid model to rival diesels from competition
-Further reduction of costs through higher levels of localisation
-Current level stands at 87 per cent and company aims to push it to 92 per cent
Toyota has finally launched the Yaris in India and has said that it aims to sell between 30,000-40000 units of its new C-segment sedan annually. The Japanese automaker is optimistic about the sales figure and remains positive that this could increase over the next 12 months.
On first glance, this would seem a bit high considering that this line of cars has become the next target for the SUV/crossover storm that is gripping our car market. But if you look at the numbers across the competition all the major players that form this group of cars average a monthly figure that would work out to this annual sales number. However, their sales figure also comprises diesel powered models and that is something that Toyota will have to find a way to take on.
The word is that the Yaris will get a hybrid version to take on its diesel powered rivals. Such a setup exists with the latest generation Yaris hatchback that was brought to Europe recently. This hybrid setup comprises the same 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol unit found in the India spec Yaris, but now with a 45kW electric motor and offered only with a CVT.
The company has said that with rising fuel costs, hybrids are the logical way forward before moving to full-fledged electric car environment in the future. But in order to do this viably, the Centre would need to revive the subsidy for green vehicles. In our opinion, hybrids also seems logical for Toyota as it already has a a set up in place to assemble hybrid models at its Bengaluru facility and has produced a version of the Camry hybrid previously.
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