Toyota eyes compact SUV segment; plans to introduce ‘Rush’ by 2014

Toyota Motor, the Japan based auto giant, is planning to bring in a compact Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) ‘Rush’ to India. It is believed that the car will be offered at a price tag of around Rs. 10 lacs. An official quoted, “After acquiring customers for its Etios and Liva, there is a big price gap of Rs. 2 to Rs. 4 lacs between the Etios and Corolla and the Etios and Innova; these are the gaps Toyota is keen to address”.

It is expected that the car will hit the Indian auto market sometime in mid 2014, and the company has already started the feasibility study. Analysts believe that the upcoming model will be incorporated with a 1.4 litre D4-D diesel engine, which has already been introduced in Corolla Altis D. The Japanese auto maker might incorporate a 1.4 litre petrol powertrain, which it has also assimilated in Etios and Liva.

In a few countries, Toyota has already put to sale its compact SUV Rush, which is the second generation model of Daihatsu Terios, a mini SUV. However, the car scheduled to be launched in the Indian auto industry will be the third generation Terios. The car is currently available in many countries, including Japan, Chile, Turkey, Malaysia and China; soon India will also join the list. Moreover, details regarding the wheelbase of the new model have not been revealed yet and thus, it cannot be said whether the car will be a five or seven seater. However, both the versions are available in the Malaysian auto market.

The compact SUV segment in the Indian auto industry is growing at a fast pace, hence attracting several auto makers worldwide. Industry big wigs are either coming up with new launches or are busy working on facelifts. The French auto maker, Renault recently launched its first compact SUV Duster which has been well-accepted by Indian buyers. Following this trend, the American auto giant, Ford, which faced not-so-good times in the Indian market, is also planning to introduce its compact SUV EcoSport in the country. Some of the other auto companies are also working on the compact models of their existing crossovers and SUVs to replicate the success that the auto makers in the compact SUV segment are enjoying.