The Hindu Business Line : Toyota launches new Camry; latest Corolla to follow suit

Mr A. Toyoshima, Managing Director, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, and Mr K.K. Swamy, Deputy Managing Director, Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt Ltd, at the launch of the Toyota Camry's new version in Bangalore on Wednesday. - G.R.N. Somashekar

Bangalore , Oct. 6

With the all-new Camry hitting the town, Toyota-Kirloskar is gearing up for the launch of the latest version of the Corolla. The new model will have features such as anti-lock braking system (ABS) and the electronic stability programme (ESP). Following this will be the launch of the Land Cruiser Prado. Though Toyota-Kirloskar officials said they were still studying the market, the company is understood to have made up its mind to launch the latest edition of Corolla, the largest selling car in the world.

Sources told Business Line that the new model featuring ABS and ESP should have been launched long back as these were standard features in the Corolla models sold around the world. The new Corolla is expected to be launched during the first half of 2005. Corolla commands 33 per cent share in the market and is a leader in its segment.

Toyota is also firming up plans to launch its popular sports utility vehicle, the Land Cruiser Prado as a completely built unit. Officials said the move to launch Prado was based on the increasing popularity of SUVs in India. Toyota has nearly 12 per cent share in the global sports utility vehicle segment. The five door Prado can seat between five and eight people and has three engine sizes — 2,700 cc, 3,000 cc and 3,400 cc — which use both petrol as well as diesel. The 2004 edition of Prado is priced between $32,000 and $39,000, depending on the features of the model.

Apart from the planned launch of the Prado as a completely built unit , Toyota imports Camry as a CBU, which has gained a significant share in its segment.

On Wednesday, Toyota launched the automatic transmission version of the Camry in two variants priced at Rs 17.89 lakh and Rs 18.9 lakh respectively. The company expects to sell more than 1,200 units of Camry this fiscal, nearly 200 more than the previous fiscal.

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