Toyota Etios Twins ready to be launched in Brazil
Toyota Motors designed the Etios platform specifically for emerging markets like India and other countries. Toyota launched the Etios sedan and hatchback first in the Indian car market and the Japanese automaker is all set to introduce these cars to other global markets. Toyota began exporting the Toyota Etios sedan and Toyota Etios Liva hatchback to the South African auto market earlier this month. And now, the major Japanese automaker has its sights set on launching the Etios twins into the Brazilian car market. Toyota, instead of exporting Indian-made cars to Brazil, plans to make twin Etios in Brazil through a separate production unit. Toyota can start production of these cars in Brazil from June and the Etios twins can go on sale from August 2012.
The Toyota Etios sedan and Toyota Etios Liva hatchback will be produced and sold in Brazil. Toyota could equip an ethanol-compatible gasoline mill for the Etios twins, as this fuel is a must for the Brazilian car market. The ethanol-compatible gasoline engine will be a highlight of the Etios sedan and Etios Liva hatchback bound for Brazil. Speculations abound that the diesel-powered variant might not be suitable for the Brazilian market. In India, the Etios twins are part of the entry level segments due to their low price, similarly in Brazil these cars will also be part of the entry level segments. The Brazil-bound Etios sedan and hatchback will also see some changes to interiors and specifications.
Toyota Motors first launched the Toyota Etios sedan in the Indian car market in December 2010, the sedan received a good response from customers getting 12,000 bookings within days of launch. However, the company launched the Etios sedan only in the petrol version, last year Toyota launched the hatchback version of the Etios, christened Toyota Etios Liva, which was again launched in the petrol variant only. Looking at the growing demand for diesel cars in India, the automaker launched the Etios twins in diesel form in September 2011.
The diesel powertrain powering the twin Etios is the 1.4-litre D-4D diesel mill. Sales picked up after the introduction of the diesel variant of the Etios sedan and Etios hatchback, but it still failed to dominate its contemporaries. These are the lowest-priced cars from Toyota’s stable, but despite the low price, these Toyota offerings failed to impress Indian customers as much as the company had hoped. The reason behind this could be the austere styling unlike other Toyota cars in India. To reduce the cost of the twin Etios, Toyota compromised on the quality of the interiors, which is not expected from Toyota. Although both cars offer high performance and are also frugal. Also, the twins offer ample space for passengers, and the trunk is good too. Above all else, these cars come with the reliability of the Toyota brand, which in itself is a great thing. To expand its position in India, Toyota is now targeting rural markets across the country.