Toyota Kirloskar Motor is facing a rough time with sharp decline in its sales at 9,160 units in March 2014 as against 21,143 units sold in the corresponding month last year.Similar reports have been registered in domestic front with just 8,206 units sold last month, however in the same month last year TKM posted sales of 19,452 units. Toyota exports India made Etios sedan and Liva hatchback to overseas markets, the export number too fell with just 954 units shipped from India. Toyota’s India line-up includes mostly high priced cars, in a rapidly changing scenario, the company should contemplate on revising its product range in India. From its current clan of cars, Etios twins are the only vehicles that fit in mass segment of Indian automotive industry. In awe of luring customers to buy a Toyota, the Japanese auto firm is coming up with Etios Cross, based on Liva hatchback.
The crossover is due to launch anytime now, bookings for the vehicle have also started at a token amount of Rs 50,000. Toyota dealers have also put on display the new offering to attract customers. Etios Cross will be offered in petrol and diesel engine options, several cosmetic changes have been made to render rugged look to the crossover. Toyota will equip Etios Cross with the same set of engines as available in Etios Liva hatchback. Volkswagen Cross and upcoming Fiat Avventura will be major rivals of Etios Cross in India. With a price tag ranging between Rs 5 lakh to Rs 8 lakh, we expect that the crossover opens to a good start in India, however the exact details regarding price will be unwrapped on the day of launch. Along with Etios Cross, the car maker is also readying to launch tweaked Corolla Altis. Ranked as the second most selling car in the world by LMC Automotive, Corolla Altis facelift is all set to spill magic in premium sedan segment.
