Burn Your Fuel

We Know You Are New Here, You Can Subscribe To Our RSS feed, SMS Subscription Or Subscribe By Email Here . Thanks & Keep Visiting!

Toyota India currently not planning to launch its hybrid car Prius anytime soon in the Indian market due to the high import duties. Despite a drastic drop in sales last year, Toyota is expecting sales to pick up by the middle of 2009.

Toyota also wants the government to rework the high import duties of over 100% to make hybrids more attractive. After Honda recently pulled out its Civic Hybrid from the Indian market due to its expensive price tag, Toyota is no hurry to launch Prius and is currently studying the market.

Sandeep Singh, deputy managing director, Toyota India, said: "We are, at the same time, conducting feasibility studies in India on hybrid cars, and I think we will take more time before we see hybrid cars. I think the government needs to take some pro-active action to encourage automobile manufacturers to bring in hybrid cars… otherwise, they are very expensive, out of reach and a normal buyer cannot afford the car…"

Toyota had a rough ride in the Indian market in the second half of 2008 with sales declining 50% and production cut by 30% due to pile up of inventory. The company expects the Indian auto market to recover by the second half of 2009, and is slowly increasing production accordingly.

Hiroshi Nakagawa, managing director, Toyota India, added: "The worldwide economic crisis has hit the Indian market, especially high-end cars like Innova and Corolla… so we reduced production to adjust demand and supply."

Toyota will look to expand its portfolio in India by adding the new Camry and the Fortuna this year. The most anticipated small car, the management says, will roll out in India by the end of 2010.

[Source: utvi.com]

Similar Posts:

• Toyota Might Launch Hybrid Car Prius In India By 2010
• Toyota’s Compact Concept Car For India Will Be Displayed In 2010 Delhi Auto Expo
• 2010 Toyota Prius To Be Launched In Japan & Might Launch In India By End-2009
• Toyota Prius Launched Today In India At 2010 Delhi Auto Expo
• Toyota Launched New Prius In Japan Will Follow To India By 2009 End
• 2010 Toyota Prius Hybrid Car
• Honda Might Relaunch Civic Hybrid In India If Government Brings Down Import Duty
• Toyota Prius Caught Wild In India - Part 2
• Toyota Is Under Pressure From Honda?
• Toyota To Increase Hybrid Battery Capacity By 10%