Toyota intends to launch its diesel powered Prado in India next year. it is currently exploring the feasibility of such product in India. The new diesel model will also be an upgraded form of the petrol model slated for a launch in December this year. Both the variants will be imported as completely built units in India and will attract 100 percent import duty. The new diesel model is due for a launch in Japan by the end of this year.
"The petrol variant could not bring us great volumes and we are selling just about 50-60 Prados a year. But now with the diesel variant coming in, we hope to spruce up volumes," says Sandeep Singh, Deputy Managing Director, Toyota Kirloskar Motors. Toyota marks its presence in India as Toyota Kirloskar Motors which is equal joint venture between Japanese Toyota and Indian automobile manufacturer Kirloskar Motors.
"We want to first focus on our SUVs and multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs), which include Innova, and our second focus will be on the passenger-car market which would also have our small car," said Singh stating the diesel model will be costlier than its petrol model which is available at Rs. 45 lakh and above.
