This growth is more or less like a recovery for the whole Indian Automobile sector. The Year on Year growth numbers for some of the major car companies are :

• Mahindra And Mahindra Auto sales grow by 29 %
• Toyota Kirloskar Motor Sales Grow by 26 %
• Tata Motors India sales grow by 32.38 %
• Hyundai India sales grow by 17.2 %
• Chevrolet India or General Motors Sales go up by 34 %
• Maruti Suzuki India Limited sales grow by 23.56% with highest ever car sales in a month ever in history of Maruti Suzuki India
• Ford India Sales go up by 220 % , this exceptional growth is because of excellent sales of its small car Ford Figo
• Skoda India Sales Growth is 24 %

We hope that sales number will stay strong and along with the strong numbers, the roads and infrastructure will also keep improving in India so that the driving safety and driving pleasure is improved in time to come.

This is not it, Toyota is also looking into a possibility of working out a hybrid variant of Etios, but that may not be launched in near future and may not be launched if will not make much business sense. This decision maybe taken after monitoring sales figures of Etios sometime after the initial Petrol and Diesel Etios Launch.

The expected price rise of Hyundai cars will be approximately about 1% and Toyota has not indicated any figures as yet. Maruti Suzuki has also indicated they might not be offering additional discounts this festival season as extensively as it happens usually in festival seasons. This is all an outcome of the ever rising inflation and input costs to the automobile industry.

Toyota is pitching for CNG Innova with slogan “Go green with Innova CNG. Save more!”

Toyota Innova CNG Specifications And Variants

Toyota Innova CNG will be available in GX and VX variants and will feature a company fitted CNG kit with proper engine tuning and suspension tuning to take care of the additional loads because of CNG kit added. The fuel tank capacity of Innova CNG will be 55 Litres of Petrol and 12 Kg of CNG.

Innova CNG Engine Specifications

• Type    :1TR-FE, Gasoline, 4 inline cylinder
• Valve Train    :16 Valve DOHC, WT-i
• Displacement  :1998 cm3(cc)
• Fuel Supply System  : Electronic Fuel Injection(EFI)
• Max Output    : 98 kW @ 5600 rpm (132 PS @ 5600 rpm)
• Max Torque    : 181 Nm @ 4000 rpm (18.5 kg-m @ 4000 rpm)

Innova CNG Dimensions

• Overall Length X Width X Height = 4580 mm X 1770 mm X 1755 mm
• Wheel Base =2750 mm
• Tread Front/Rear = 1510 mm/1510 mm
• Minimum Ground Clearance = 176 mm
• Minimum Turning Radius = 5.4 m

Chassis and Transmission

• Suspension(Front/Rear): Double Wishbone with Stabilizwer, Coil Spring / Four Link, Coil Spring
• Brakes Front/Rear :Ventilated Disc / Leading-Trailing Drum
• Tyres – 205/65 R15 Tubeless Radial
• Transmission : 5 Speed Manual Transmission

Toyota Innova CNG Price

Price of Toyota Innova CNG is about Rs. 85,000 more compared to corresponding petrol engine variant.

Toyota Fortuner Anniversary Edition Features

Some of the distinct features of Fortuner Anniversary edition include :

• Enhanced Sporty Exteriors
• Pearl White Colour Option only
• Specially Designed Body Coloured Bumper Spoiler
• Specially Designed Body Coloured Rear Spoiler
• Chrome Plated Muffler Cutter

Toyota Fortuner Anniversary Edition Price

Toyota Fortuner Anniversary Edition 2010 has been prices at an Ex-Showroom price of Rs. 20.45 Lakhs in Delhi.

Toyota Corolla Altis Diesel India Specifications

The major specifications of the Toyota Corolla Altis Diesel are  :

• 1346CC CRDI Diesel Engine
• Variable Nozzle Turbocharged D4D Engine with Intercooler
• Max Power – 87.5 BHP @ 3800 RPM
• Max Torque – 205 Nm Torque @ 1800 to 2800 RPM
• 6 Speed Manual transmission
• Fuel Mileage of 21 KMPL
• 0 to 100 KMPH time 14.55 sec
• Top Speed – 171 KMPH
• Kerb Weight – 1270 KG
• ABS with EBD
• 15 Inch tubeless radials
• Wheelbase 2600mm
• Ground clearance 175mm
• Boot space 475 Litres
• Fuel tank capacity = 50 Litres
• Range on full tank is approx 800 to 1000 KM which is huge
• Length = 4540mm; Width = 1760mm; Height = 1480mm
• Front suspension – McPherson Strut
• Rear Suspension – Torsion Beam
• Front and read disk brakes
• 

Toyota Corolla Altis Diesel India Features

• Driver and Passenger Airbags
• Keyless Entry
• Immobilizer with alarm
• 2 stage glove box
• Classy and spacious dual interiors
• Dual tone interiors
• All power Windows
• Steering mounted controls
• Automatic climate control system
• Electrically adjustable outside rear view mirrors
• Crystal clear headlamps
• Fog Lamps
• Side anti-scratch strips
• Turn indicators on outside rear view mirrors
• Chrome finish on Interior handles & Exterior handles
• Centralized integrated music system console with USB & iPod connectivity
• 3 Years or 100000 KM Warranty
• Electric Power Steering
• Tilt and Telescopic steering
• Multi Information Display
• Rear Foldable Seats
• Sliding Front Armrests

Note : All these features may not be standard in all variants.

Toyota Corolla Altis Diesel India Variants

The various trim levels of Toyota corolla Altis Diesel are :

• Toyota Corolla Altis Diesel D4DJ
• Toyota Corolla Altis Diesel D4DG
• Toyota Corolla Altis Diesel D4DL

Toyota Corolla Altis Diesel India Colour Options

• White Pearl Mica
• Black Mica
• Dark Red Mica Metallic
• Super White II
• Silver Mica Metallic
• Light Blue Metallic
• Champagne Mica Metallic

Toyota Corolla Altis Diesel On Road Price In India

Toyota Corolla Altis is priced at an Ex-Showroom Delhi price ranging from Rs. 10.95 Lakh for the base version to Rs.13.75 Lakh for the top variant. The on-road price is expected between Rs. 12 Lakh to Rs. 15 Lakh. This price may vary from state to state.

TKM announced that its subsidiary Toyota Kirloskar Auto Parts Pvt, Ltd. (TKAP) will be producing the engine and transmission for Etios and all the process will take place at Toyota’s second plant whose initial capacity is 70,000 units per annum.

The cars production will start in late 2010 and its said that 70 percent of the parts will be sourced from Indian itself while the rest will be imported initially. TKAP will produce nearly 110,000 engines per year and the commencement will take place by the third quarter of 2012 while the transmission production will start in early 2013 with an estimated number of 240,000 units per year.

For such huge production figures the company certainly needs an enormous amount of investment as well, so just to give you an idea the venture will flow in 5 Billion INR and will recruit 500 new employees. This collaborative effort will definitely help the company reach its target figures.

Mr. Nakagawa, MD, Toyota Kirloskar Motor stated, “The Etios has been designed specifically for the Indian market. The domestic production of engines and transmission will enable us to provide the best quality product, at a competitive price. India plays a vital role in Toyota’s global expansion plans and this development marks another step towards Toyota’s growth in India”.

Reassuring the news Mr. Hisashi Suzuki, MD, Toyota Kirloskar Auto Parts said, “Though TKAP is currently more of a global source for R-type manual transmissions, with the addition of these two new products, we will contribute more towards employment of local labour, develop local suppliers, showcase India and Karnataka in particular and above all delight our valuable customers in India,”

Presently TKAP produces manual transmissions for the ” Toyota Fortuner” & “Hilux”range which are being manufactured in India, Thailand and Argentina and also provides axles and propeller shafts for the “Toyota Innova“.

Toyota Corolla Altis Diesel Specifications

The specifications of Toyota Corolla Diesel are :

• 1.4 Litre 4 Cylinder Engine
• CRDI Diesel Engine
• Turbo-charging
• Max Power – 90 BHP
• 6 Speed Manual Transmission
• Fuel Efficiency – 21 KMPL

Toyota Corolla Altis Diesel Features

The features of Toyota Corolla Diesel include :

• New design grille
• Cosmetic enhancements to distinguish it from petrol variant
• New design crystal head lamps
• Centralized locking
• All door power windows
• Turn indicators on side mirrors
• Cup holders
• Automatic climate control system

Toyota Corolla Altis Diesel On Road Price In India

The new Altis Diesel will be available in 3 variants and the official price list has not yet been released. Some sources have indicated that the prices will be about Rs. 75000 to Rs. 125000 more compared with the corresponding petrol variants. Considering the current prices of Corolla Altis Petrol the Altis Diesel is expected to be priced approx between Rs. 11 Lakh to Rs. 14.5 Lakh ex-showroom. The on-road price of Altis Diesel will be approx between Rs. 12 Lakh and Rs. 15.5 Lakh. These are the expected prices, we will update this section as soon as the official pricing is revealed.

To remind you, a while back the brand had announced the launch of Toyota Etios, a new car which will be made available in two models – one sedan and one hatchback and the car has been in the news for an appreciable time since earlier the vehicle’s launch was due for December 2010.

Next news which has come about this new car is that the brand has pushed the dates of its launch to early 2011, making the customers to wait for a bit more. But if the car makes the brand and its customers count on it and contributes to the brand’s sales then even this wait could be ignored. Consoling the reporters, Toyota Kirloskar Motor Ltd (TKML) Managing Director Hiroshi Nakagawa said. “Our compact car Etios, which has been specially designed and developed for the Indian market, will be launched in the first quarter of 2011, as our second plant is scheduled to go on stream by this year-end,”

With an investment of over 1,400 crores, Toyota is very close to installing its latest plant at Bidadi near Bangalore which has a capacity of 100,000 vehicles per annum and will incur 3200 crores solely for hiring 2000 employees, but as far as the information regarding Etios’ engines is concerned, this is what Nakagawa had to say “The engine for Etios, however, will be imported from our global manufacturing plant in Japan, as the volumes are small to produce them in India,”

Specifications Of Toyota Etios Sedan & Hatchback

Toyota Etios Sedan and Hatchback version are supposed to come with a 1.4 Litre CRDI Diesel engine along with two MPFI petrol variants – one 1.2 Litre and another 1.5 Litre, but the most surprising thing about this package is the record fuel efficiency of 23 km/l.

Read our previous post on Toyota Etios – Toyota Etios Price & Specifications

Apart from the news concerned with the launch, Toyota Kirloskar Motor is also planning to set up a R&D centre in India, quite similar to what Renault-Nissan and Hyundai have done some time back and according to Mr. Hiroshi Nakagawa if favorable conditions prevail, the brand will also focus on installing a new engine facility. By mentioning favorable conditions the official means that the capacity of the plant should surpass the mark of 200,000 units per annum.

We expect the car to be seen on the roads as soon as possible since its would be a refreshing product from the brand for its customers.

As per their agreement, the two carmakers have decided to develop electric cars and components together. This is a remarkable deal for both of them as Tesla has strong expertise in the Electrical technology for cars and Toyota has a strong background for overall car structural designing and manufacturing on large scales. This combination of the technology and knowledge will prove to be beneficial for both.

They will start jointly manufacturing the Tesla Model S electric car which is due for its launch in the year 2012. Tesla Model S Production will start at the Nummi Plant of Toyota. The Model S of Tesla is a more affordable car as compared to its previous models which cost around $100,000. Model S is expected to be priced around a more affordable price tag of about $50,000 USD. The mass production of Model S with expertise form Toyota may make this car a success.