Toyota hopes SUVs will dominate Indian passenger vehicle market in 2024

Toyota hopes SUVs will dominate Indian passenger vehicle market in 2024

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Toyota hopes the Indian passenger vehicle market will continue its growth momentum of 2023 into next year. The Japanese car manufacturer also believes that SUVs will continue to propel the growth momentum of the country’s PV market in 2024, just like in 2023. Speaking to PTI, Toyota Kirloskar Motor Executive Vice President and Country Head Vikram Gulati said that the Indian passenger vehicle market would carry forward the momentum of 2023 to the next purely driven by economic fundamentals, having already moved beyond pent-up demand-induced growth.

By: HT Auto Desk
| Updated on: 26 Nov 2023, 12:13 PM

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder
Toyota hopes SUVs will push the Indian passenger vehicle market’s growth momentum in 2024.

In 2023, the Indian market witnessed the rapid growth of SUVs, which even outpaced the demand for hatchbacks and small cars that have been conventionally the bestselling segment in the country for decades. Gulati believes that SUVs are expected to witness fast growth in general in 2024, while the mid to higher end of the segment will see faster acceleration. He also said that the small cars category will remain a concern for the automakers.

Also Read : Toyota Motor’s advertisement on Hilux pickup truck in eye of storm. Here is why it has been banned)

Watch: Toyota Urban Cruiser HyRyder: First Drive Review

The growth in the Indian passenger vehicle market will be very healthy in 2024, believes Gulati. “I think the market is growing. It will continue to grow in a very healthy way. We are well beyond the part when people were saying this is pent-up demand. We have built much beyond that, and the festive season has seen very good pickup,” he said talking about the outlook for 2024. He also stated that spending is going to be good in terms of people wanting personal mobility.

In 2023, the total sales of passenger vehicles in India are expected to cross the 40 lakh unit mark. In 2022, PV sales were at 37.93 lakh units, against 30.82 lakh in 2021. Clearly, the sales of passenger vehicles in India are moving upward at a fast pace, leaving behind the pandemic shock. SUVs are playing a major role in this growth momentum.

Watch: Toyota Innova HyCross: First Drive Impressions

The Toyota official believes that the current shift towards SUVs will continue in 2024 with more consumers willing to pay an additional amount for better features and safety. “In terms of performance and convenience, I think there is a very clear sign that customers will not compromise on that. What that basically means is going forward, we’ll see much of the current trend magnifying itself. Even within the SUVs, we see the mid to higher and SUVs growing,” he said.

While the SUVs are witnessing an ever-increasing demand and sales, small cars witnessing a significant slump in retail numbers. This remains a concern for the automakers and propelling the OEMs to shift towards utility vehicles. Speaking about this, Gulati said, “The challenge as we see today is more towards the smaller car segment. That will be interesting to see how that plays out.”

Toyota Kirloskar Motor is set for a record year in terms of sales in 2023. It has already clocked 1.92 lakh units in the January-October period of 2023, beating the previous highest yearly sales of 1.72 lakh units sold in 2012.

First Published Date: 26 Nov 2023, 12:13 PM IST

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Toyota to set up its third plant in Karnataka, production to commence in 2026

Toyota to set up its third plant in Karnataka, production to commence in 2026

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Toyota has further stated that it will invest about ₹3,300 crore for building the new production facility in Karnataka, which will be its third in India. Also, this plant is claimed to create employment opportunities for approximately 2,000 people. The Japanese car manufacturer has claimed that the decision to set up the new manufacturing facility comes as part of the auto company’s strategy to increase local production in India. The company currently operates two plants in India with a total production capacity of around 3.42 lakh units per annum. The automaker has planned two shifts for the new plant that can be scaled up with a third shift if and when needed. Currently, the two production facilities of the automaker are working three shifts to cater to pending orders.

Watch: Toyota Innova HyCross: First Drive Impressions

Speaking about the new production facility, Masahiko Maeda, Chief Operating Officer of Asia region for the carmaker, said that the Indian market has always been of great importance to the company. He also said that Toyota is hopeful that this new production facility will further elevate the automaker’s ambition to grow in the Indian market and globally. He also hinted that the new plant will play a crucial role in the brand’s strategy to make greener powertrain-equipped cars.

TKM started operations at its first plant in India in December 1999, which currently manufactures models like Innova Hycross, Innova Crysta, Fortuner and Legender. This facility has an installed production capacity of 1.32 lakh units every year. The second plant of the automaker is located at the same site and started production in December 2010. This facility has an annual production capacity of 2.10 lakh units and it rolls out models like Camry Hybrid, Urban Cruiser Hyryder and Hilux. TKM also sells models like Glanza and Rumion in India, which are sourced from Maruti Suzuki as part of the global collaboration between Suzuki and Toyota. The automaker also imports the Vellfire and LC 300 models to India as Completely Built Units (CBU).

First Published Date: 21 Nov 2023, 19:03 PM IST

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Ninth-generation Toyota Camry breaks cover, becomes pure hybrid

Ninth-generation Toyota Camry breaks cover, becomes pure hybrid

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Toyota Camry is one of the cars that have been in business for a long time, since March 1982. Now, the Japanese car manufacturer has taken the wrap off the new generation Camry, which comes as a pure hybrid car. This means the ninth generation Toyota Camry will come with a 2.5-litre inline-four engine paired with two compact electric motors, increasing the range for the midsize sedan as well as minimising its tailpipe emission. What’s more interesting is that being a pure hybrid car, the new generation Camry has essentially turned into a bigger Toyota Prius.

By: Mainak Das
| Updated on: 15 Nov 2023, 11:49 AM

Toyota Camry
The new Toyota Camry gets a 2.5-litre inline-four engine with two electric motors, churning out a power output between 222 bhp and 229 bhp.

The ninth-generation Camry comes as a heavy refreshed iteration instead of an all-new car. It rides on the same TNGA-K architecture that underpins the eighth-generation model. However, the updated model comes with a reworked suspension with new shocks and revised tuning, which ensure better riding comfort for the occupants. Toyota claims the car offers enhanced responsiveness and agile handling.

Also Read : Toyota Camry hybrid to Ford Mustang special edition: Cars to debut at Los Angeles Auto Show

On the design front, it looks similar to the predecessor, with a large lower front grille and slim LED headlamps with integrated LED daytime running lights. The taillights too come with LED treatment. The new Camry gets a wide range of colour options including Ice Cap, Wind Chill Pearl, Celestial Silver Metallic, Underground, Midnight Black Metallic, Supersonic Red, Reservoir Blue, Ocean Gem and Heavy Metal. The last two paint options come as a new addition to the list. The sedan runs on 19-inch wheels.

Moving inside the cabin, the new Camry comes with a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster and an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment screen. The top trims get 12.3-inch displays for the instrument cluster and infotainment system. The infotainment system gets wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, in addition to having a wireless charging pad. The top-end trim gets a 10.0-inch heads-up display. There’s also a nine-speaker JBL audio system inside the cabin.

On the safety front, the new Camry gets Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 suite, which includes a pre-collision system that detects vehicles and pedestrians, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure assist, road sign assist, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The top trims offer an optional Premium Plus Package that adds traffic-jam assist, front cross-traffic alert, lane-change assist, panoramic view monitor, and front and rear parking assist with automatic braking.

On the powertrain front, the new Camry gets a 2.5-litre inline-four engine with two electric motors, churning out a combined output of 222 bhp peak power with front-wheel drive or 229 bhp maximum power with all-wheel drive.

Toyota Camry is not a big seller in India as it once was for the automaker but it retails around 150-200 units every month, which makes it a familiar model in the country. With the growing demand for hybrid models, the new Camry could find a better success rate in India, if Toyota brings it here.

First Published Date: 15 Nov 2023, 11:49 AM IST

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In pics: Entop Simurgh supercar from Afghanistan debuts at Geneva Motor Show

In pics: Entop Simurgh supercar from Afghanistan debuts at Geneva Motor Show

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Entop Simurgh first broke cover in January 2023 as Mada 9 and claims to have been designed, developed and built entirely in Afghanistan.

By: HT Auto Desk
| Updated on: 09 Oct 2023, 14:39 PM

In pics: Entop Simurgh supercar from Afghanistan debuts at Geneva Motor Show
1/5

Entop Simurgh is a swanky supercar that has grabbed everyone’s attention at the Geneva Motor Show in Qatar. While the car’s design is certainly look-worthy, the key USP for the Simurgh is the origin country of this sports car. It is the first-ever indigenous supercar from Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, which made this car one of the most extraordinary exhibits at the prestigious automotive event.

Entop Simurgh
2/5

Entop Simurgh first broke cover in January 2023 as Mada 9 and claims to have been designed, developed and built entirely in Afghanistan. The stylish supercar, which is currently in prototype phase and awaits a production-ready avatar, claims to have been developed and built by the Kabul-based manufacturer Entop in collaboration with Afghanistan Technical Vocational Institute (ATVI).

Entop Simurgh
3/5

The Entop Simurgh sports a glossy all-black paint theme. The car carries sleek LED headlamps, slim LED taillights, a sharp front splitter, large black alloy wheels, and flared fenders. The sculpted side profile gets wide air intakes and a bold rear diffuser, while the swooping roofline is there to help it achieve better aerodynamic efficiency.

Entop Simurgh
4/5

Powering the Entop Simurgh supercar is a rear-mounted four-cylinder engine sourced from a 2000 Toyota Corolla. The mid-engine supercar comes with the powerplant cradled between tube chassis and surrounded by lightweight composite materials. While Entop claimed that the engine has been modified specifically for Simurgh, it has not revealed the technical specifications.

Entop Simurgh
5/5

While the Entop Simurgh has grabbed many eyeballs at the Geneva Motor Show in Qatar, this is not the first time the sportscar made its appearance for the public eyes. Previously, the Afghan manufacturer revealed this supercar through its social media platforms. However, the car was christened as Mada 9 at that time and now the company has rebadged it as Simurgh.

First Published Date: 09 Oct 2023, 14:39 PM IST

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Watch: Toyota Land Cruiser is hardly recognizable after crash, but runs fine

Watch: Toyota Land Cruiser is hardly recognizable after crash, but runs fine

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Toyota Land Cruiser has been known as one of the most capable off-roader and tough vehicles in the world. It seems the Toyota Land Cruiser pickup truck is indestructible as well. A video has emerged online showing a heavily damaged Toyota Land Cruiser 70 Series pickup truck being driven to the workshop despite looking like it came out of a crusher.

By: HT Auto Desk
| Updated on: 02 Oct 2023, 11:04 AM

Toyota Land Cruiser 70 Series pickup truck
A severely battered Toyota Land Cruiser 70 Series pickup truck has been spotted driving. (Image: Instagram/lc300.qa)

The Land Cruiser has been one of the most famous vehicles in the world for its ruggedness. However, the pickup version of the vehicle spotted in the video has pushed that limit by surviving a severe rollover crash. The video posted on the social media platform Instagram reveals the severely damaged pickup truck making its way to a Toyota dealership service workshop with its body frame mangled. It looks like the vehicle had been stomped on by a giant monster. However, despite the bad condition of the pickup truck, it can be recognizable as a single-cab pickup version of the Land Cruiser 70 Series.

The Toyota Land Cruiser pickup truck’s cabin is crumpled and both the front section as well as the rear cargo deck area are so battered that they look like in the state of ‘point of no return.’ The video was shot in Saudi Arabia and the Land Cruiser was driving somewhere in the mountainous area of the country, where the pickup truck rolled over several times but after it came to rest was found still working.

There is a chance that the wrecked Land Cruiser pickup truck or at least a few parts of it would be saved. Thanks to the ladder-frame underpinning of the vehicle, the Toyota pickup truck is still driveable despite being in such a battered condition. If the engine, frame and suspension can be repaired, the Land Cruiser could come back to life with its original parts. However, repairing the vehicle would take a lot of time and work, considering the damage is severe.

First Published Date: 02 Oct 2023, 11:04 AM IST

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Cars have eyes and are spying on you: How in-car tech can breach data privacy

Cars have eyes and are spying on you: How in-car tech can breach data privacy

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Tech-loaded cars may offer a lot of convenience to owners, but can also become a data privacy nightmare. Study by a California-based agency reveals that modern cars with connected features through apps and satellite collect massive personal data of the user and share externally. The agency, called Mozilla Foundation, reviewed 25 car brands operating in United States and European countries and found all of them breaching data privacy. The study has raised a debate whether cars should also be monitored for practically spying on the owner.

By: HT Auto Desk
| Updated on: 14 Sep 2023, 16:57 PM

Tesla Model 3
A Tesla model 3 car on display at the International Motor Show (IAA) in Munich. The world’s most popular car brands are a data privacy nightmare, collecting and selling personal information in an age when driving is going increasingly digital, a study by Mozilla Foundation showed. (AFP)

Nissan, Tesla, Kia, Hyundai Motor, Toyota, Volkswagen and BMW are some of the global brands who have been found breaching data privacy. The study says vague data security standards while using in-car apps, telematics, digital controls can steal personal data. These may include sensitive personal information to sexual activity and more. Almost every car manufacturer studied have admitted that they are collecting such personal information which they share with government or law enforcement agencies.

The survey, called Privacy Not Included, has raised a big concern given that these vehicles are also susceptible to hacking. Jen Caltrider, the study’s research lead, says, “Cars seem to have really flown under the privacy radar and I’m really hoping that we can help remedy that because they are truly awful. Cars have microphones and people have all kinds of sensitive conversations in them. Cars have cameras that face inward and outward.”

The survey also says that cars have the worst data privacy record among dozen other products ranging from connected home appliances like Google or Alexa, fitness trackers to even smart speakers. The survey marked Nissan as the worst among all the brands studied. The survey says the Japanese auto giant is “probably the worst car company we reviewed, and that says something because all car companies are really bad at privacy.” Nissan says it can draw inferences from the data to create user profiles which reflect the the person’s ‘preferences, characteristics, psychological trends, predispositions, behavior, attitudes, intelligence, abilities, and aptitudes’. The carmaker has also admitted that it can even collect ‘genetic information’ or ‘genetic characteristics’. However, Nissan did not explain how it collects data on sexual activity of its users.

Kia and Hyundai are not too far behind either. Caltrider says, “Kia mentions sex life. General Motors and Ford both mentioned race and sexual orientation. Hyundai said that they could share data with government and law enforcement based on formal or informal requests.”

Tesla also scored high on Mozilla’s “creepiness” index. According to the survey, opting out of data collection in a Tesla car is difficult as its privacy notice says the EV maker may not be able to notify drivers “in real time” of issues that could result in “reduced functionality, serious damage, or inoperability.”

Out of the 25 brands surveyed, 19 said they can sell personal data, while half of them are ready to share these information with governments on request. Renault and Dacia are the only two carmakers who offer drivers to delete all data collected by their cars.

First Published Date: 14 Sep 2023, 16:57 PM IST

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Toyota Rumion to be launched soon: 5 things to know

Toyota Rumion to be launched soon: 5 things to know

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Back in 2019, Toyota and Maruti Suzuki signed an agreement and since then we have seen a lot of vehicles that the manufacturers are sharing. As of now, Toyota is selling the rebadged version of the Glanza. Apart from this, the manufacturers also share vehicles like the Grand Vitara and Urban Cruiser Hyryder and the Invicto and Innova Hycross. Now, Toyota is working on launching the Rumion in the Indian market, it will be the rebadged version of the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga and soon go on sale in the Indian market.

By: HT Auto Desk
| Updated on: 15 Aug 2023, 16:04 PM

Toyota Rumion gets few cosmetic changes when compared to the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga.

2023 Toyota Rumion: Cosmetic changes

Toyota has made some changes to the Rumion so that it can be differentiated from the Ertiga. It now comes with a new grille that is inspired by the Innova. The front bumper has been redesigned. It gets a chrome surround that gives an up-market look to the MPV. Apart from this, the alloy wheels are new. They are finished in a two-toned machined finish.

2023 Toyota Rumion: Powertrain

Toyota will be offering the Rumion with two powertrains. There is petrol and CNG. Both use a Maruti-derived 1.5-litre, four-cylinder, naturally aspirated petrol engine. While running on petrol, it produces 101 bhp of max power at 6,000 rpm and a peak torque output of 136.8 Nm at 4,400 rpm. On CNG, the power is decreased to 86.63 bhp at 5,500 rpm and the peak torque output falls to 121.5 Nm at 4,200 rpm.

As standard, both powertrains get a 5-speed manual gearbox. The petrol engine will also be offered with a 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission with paddle shifters mounted behind the steering wheel.

Toyota will use the same powertrains for the Rumion that are doing duty on the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga.
Toyota will use the same powertrains for the Rumion that are doing duty on the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga.

2023 Toyota Rumion: Safety equipment

Toyota Rumion uses the Heartect platform and is offered with dual front airbags and front side airbags as standard. There is an Anti-lock braking system with Electronic Brake Distribution, Brake Assist, Engine immobilizer, Electronic Stability Program and Hill Hold. Apart from this, there are front seatbelts with pretensioners and force limiters, seatbelt reminders and a high-speed alert system.

2023 Toyota Rumion: Features

In terms of features, the Rumion will come with automatic climate control, steering-mounted controls, second-row AC, a 17.78 cm Smartplay touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, cruise control, LED tail lamps and much more.

Also Read : Toyota Rumion, twin of Maruti Ertiga, revealed in India. Worth the rebadge?

2023 Toyota Rumion: Price and variants

The Rumion will be available in six variants of S MT/AT, G MT, and V MT/AT, S MT CNG offering a wide range of options for customers. However, Toyota has not yet announced the prices of the MPV.

First Published Date: 15 Aug 2023, 16:04 PM IST

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