Toyota kirloskar Motor marks start of 'Etios' production

Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) announces that Toyota Kirloskar Motor Private, Ltd. (TKM), TMC's production and sales subsidiary based here, held a line-off ceremony today at its Plant No. 2 to mark the start of production of the "Etios" compact sedan. The Etios is to be joined by the "Etios Liva" hatchback in April 2011, bringing planned production of the Etios series to 70,000 vehicles annually.

At the ceremony, TMC Executive Vice President Atsushi Niimi told attendees: "It is our responsibility to provide high-quality, reasonably priced products to meet the expectations of Indian customers."

Marking the market launch of the Etios on December 1—when dealers nationwide began accepting orders—TMC President Akio Toyoda, emphasizing that Toyota has long strived to provide consumers everywhere with products that meet their needs, told the press in Bangalore: "The all-new Etios reflects our determination to serve an even-broader range of customers here with genuine Toyota quality."

When developing the Etios, TKM aimed for a high local-procurement rate of parts to create a vehicle with strong ties to the Indian market. This resulted in a 70% local procurement rate to be increased to nearly 90% in 2013 or later and 2,000 news jobs. Plans include exports.

Under its founding philosophy of contributing to society through the manufacture of automobiles, TMC strives to contribute to the development of the automobile industry by expanding local production and supplying high-quality, reasonably priced products suited to regional conditions.