Toyota To Retain Current Etios Series For Taxi Operators

Over the last few quarters, there was a lot of speculation about Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) phasing out its Etios sedan followed by its hatchback variant Liva once the BS-VI emission norms come into force.  However, if sources are to be believed, the company will be retaining both the models as it is already garnering unprecedented orders from cab aggregators like Ola and Uber. It may be recalled that the Etios is a line of four-door sedan and five-door hatchback subcompact cars that made its world debut in India in 2010.

A source aware of the development told BW Businessworld, “Toyota will not phase out the current Etios range as taxi aggregators are emerging as its next growth destination. This is despite the fact that the company is gearing up to launch its next generation avatars i.e. sedan and hatchback derivatives.”

TKM spokesperson, when contacted by BW Businessworld states, “The questions are related to future product plans we are unable to comment on.”

“With stiff competition in the compact/midsize sedan segment, it’s imperative for Toyota to introduce a replacement of Etios for private customers. The present Toyota Etios may continue in the fleet segment as the product has been well received and is highly popular among taxi operators,” Puneet Gupta, associate director at IHS Markit, a market research firm.

Built specifically for the Indian market, Etios was subsequently launched in South Africa, Brazil and later in Indonesia. The sedan version was launched in December 2010 and the Liva hatchback was launched in June 2011. In May 2012, the Etios Series reached total sales of 100,000 units in India. The model has been facelifted twice i.e. in March 2013 and November 2014. Even though there were changes to the model’s interiors, grille, and tail lamps, it was yet to undergo a complete makeover.

The market dynamics for TKM may now change as it is now gearing up to roll out a new sedan in 2018 which is expected to be highly refined in terms of quality and looks. Likely to be named Vios (or Etios), the new product should help the company enhance its market share in the sedan segment. This will be followed by its hatchback version based on the same platform. Expected to be christened Liva (or Yaris), it would be rolled out in 2020 sometime during the Auto Expo.