No person who knows the Indian automobile industry will argue with the fact that the compact SUV segment is one which has seen the fastest growth. The compact SUV segment in India was kick-started by Renault when they launched the Duster and it looks like it was just the thing Indian consumers needed. The Renault Duster sold like hot cakes and so did almost all the compact SUV’s that came after, like the Ford Ecosport. All major automobile manufacturers are now contemplating an entry into this lucrative, high-volume segment and Toyota too now wants a piece of the action.
Compact SUV under Rs 10 lakh and sub-four metre compact sedan on the works!
We have received reports that Toyota has serious plans of entering the compact SUV segment and also the sub-4 meter compact sedan segment. According to the report, Toyota has already started working on these segments and are currently in the survey stage of the production process and as a part of this, senior Toyota officials are conducting studies in the Indian market to further understand the wants and needs of the consumers.
As per the report, these products are being prepared not only for the Indian market but also for the European, Asian and Latin markets, as demand for compact automobiles is increasing by the day in these markets too. Toyota might choose to use India as their production and export hub for these upcoming cars which gives them enough reason for them to choose India to conduct the survey.
The compact SUV and the Compact sedan might be based on the same platform and the target pricing for the compact SUV should be below Rs. 10 lakhs, if Toyota should compete with other contenders in the segment like the Ford Ecosport.
The sub-four metre compact sedan is expected to be priced lower than the Etios sedan.
The rumors about the compact SUV from Toyota started after their other compact SUV, the Toyota Rush was spotted testing on Indian roads, but there is no solid evidence to prove that it was Toyota themselves testing it, and even if it was them, it will be quite an expensive affair making changes to the Rush in order to make it more suitable for Indian conditions and Indian consumers’ tastes and preferences.
We are not sure when the new compact SUV and the compact sedan will be launched, but it will definitely take a long time to get it into production since it is not even at the design phase yet. Speaking of future Toyota launches in India, Toyota has confirmed that it will be launching the Vios sedan soon in order to compete with cars like the Maruti Suzuk Ciaz and the Honda City.
To read more on Toyota compact car’s, Click here
Also see: Toyota Rush compact SUV benchmarked against Nexon, YBA, ix25
Source: Business-Standard
