Toyota Etios series achieves 1 lakh unit sales

Toyota has announced that its made-for-India Etios series of cars, namely, the Etios sedan and the Etios Liva hatchback, have achieved a combined 1 lakh units sales figure. The Etios was launched in December 2010 while the Etios Liva was launched in June 2011.  

Sandeep Singh, Deputy Managing Director, Marketing, Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) said, “We are delighted to touch the 1 lakh mark. The number reflects how the Etios family has grown and how Etios and Etios Liva has become a household brand in India. Customers have owned and appreciated the vehicles and we are constantly incorporating their feedback to be able to serve them better. This is a small yet important milestone in this large project that will place TKM on a higher pedestal in the global operations of Toyota.” 

The Etios was designed to be an affordable sedan for the Indian market and it has racked by the sales figures on that front. 50,157 units of the Toyota Etios were sold in the financial year 2011-2012. However, better plastic quality and lower NVH levels, which will come at a cost have the potential to further boost sales. 

Toyota has increased production of the Etios series of cars at its Bidadi plant to keep up with growing demand. The Bidadi plant is Toyota’s second plant in India with a capacity of 1.20 lakh units which will be further increased to 2.10 lakh units by early 2013. 

TKM intends to increase the localisation ratio of the Etios series from 70 percent to over 90 percent by 2013 when approximately 1 lakh engines and 2.40 lakh transmission systems will be manufactured in India, thereby, lowering the cost of the vehicles. 

Following the launch of the Etios Toyota increased the number of dealerships within the country from 95 in 2009 to 175 at the moment. The company has plans of increasing the total number of dealerships in the country to 220 by early 2013. In addition to the 220 dealerships Toyota is considering setting up another 25 dealerships in semi urban and rural areas. 

TKM also begun exporting the Etios sedan to South Africa in April 2012. The company intends to export 20,000 units of the Etios every year.