Toyota has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the government of Karnataka to set up a third manufacturing plant in India, which would increase its production capacity by 1 lakh units per annum. The upcoming plant will also be situated at Bidadi near Bangalore – near the existing two –and will attract an investment of around Rs 3,300 crores. It will also generate about 2,000 new jobs.
- Toyota to invest around Rs 3,300 crore for new plant
- Will be the production base of an all-new three-row SUV
- To have a production capacity of 1 lakh units per annum
Toyota’s existing plants at Bidadi have a combined output of about 4 lakh units per annum, and this new plant – operational by 2026 – will add about 30 percent to Toyota’s production capacity. This announcement comes on the back of the brand completing 25 years in India.
This new plant will be the primary production base for an upcoming three-row SUV, which, as we have reported previously, will be a longer version of the Corolla Cross sold overseas. It's codenamed the 340D and Toyota is expected to produce 60,000 units annually, with a launch likely by 2026.
Toyota three-row SUV to roll out from new plant
The Corolla Cross-based SUV for India will be underpinned by Toyota’s TNGA-C platform, which is also used by the Innova Hycross. Globally, the Corolla Cross has a wheelbase of 2,640mm, but the India-spec version will likely be lengthened by about 150mm, enough to add a third row of seats.
Not much is known on the styling front, but Toyota could choose to differentiate it from the Corolla Cross with a new nose and new soft parts, including a plastic bumper, grille and headlights. Given the additional length, it will also have a completely new rear end. The upcoming 340D SUV, however, will not be specific to India, and is likely to be exported to other markets as well, although it's not known if it will spawn a Maruti derivative.
Future IMV 0 platform-based models headed to India
At the Japan Mobility Show that concluded last month, Toyota showcased the new IMV 0 ladder-frame platform, a low-cost version of the IMV platform that underpins the Innova Crysta and Fortuner. This platform will spawn more affordable alternatives of vehicles like the Hilux pickup truck and Fortuner SUV and is India-bound. It, however, remains to be seen which plant it will be produced in.
Dipan Sur
Viraaj Bhatnagar
