Toyota Kirloskar Motor is expecting the soon-to-be-launched Etios to be the game changer for them in 2011. The company expects the Etios saloon and the hatchback to account for half of its overall sales in India during next year.
Toyota’s small car concept, Etios was first showcased at the Auto Expo in Delhi and it is expected to be 90 percent true to the production version which will go on sale in end-2010. Based on a completely new platform, the Etios will be offered with two engine options - 1.2-litre and 1.5-litre DOHC 16-valve petrol engines. Plans for diesel motor are on hold and the buyers will only have the choice of petrol engines initially.
As per the company officials, the preparation to launch the Etios is running as per the schedule. The sedan version with 2 variants will be launched in the last quarter of this year and it will be followed by the hatchback, three months later. Production of the Etios will start by December 2010 but the company is yet to take a decision on its launch.
Sandeep Singh, deputy MD, marketing, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said “It could be launched in December 2010 or by early 2011.”