Date:22/03/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/03/22/stories/2005032201630200.htm

Back Toyota may go slow on low-end Innova

K. Giriprakash

Bangalore , March 21

TOYOTA-KIRLOSKAR might go slow on producing the economical model of Innova, and increase the production of the new crossover car's higher-end diesel variants.

Sources in Toyota-Kirloskar told Business Line that the higher end of the car's variants had witnessed extremely good sales, and to meet this demand, the automaker will start producing more of these cars.

Among these variants, the diesel version was notching up higher sales than the petrol version. Innova, which was launched a month ago, has mopped up sales of about 10,000 units. As per its earlier announcement, Toyota expected to sell 4,500 units of Innova during the first month of sales and about 45,000 units for the entire calendar year.

The sources said the grades of the variants might also see a reclassification because of the increasing sales of the diesel variant. The current versions are the `E' at the lowest-end, `G' in the middle and `V' at the top-end, with the price ranging between Rs 6.6 lakh and Rs 9.7 lakh. The CRDi (common rail diesel injection) system fitted into Innova is drawing a huge response, the sources said. The early trend indicates that the bulk of the bookings are from existing car owners, they added. Meanwhile, Qualis, Toyota's multi-purpose vehicle which was phased out last year, is witnessing a renewed interest in the pre-owned car market, some dealers in the pre-owned car market said. One dealer said that even though the vehicle had been phased out, fleet owners, especially in the taxi segment, were picking up the Qualis because of its reduced prices.

During 2004, a total of 36,700 units of the Qualis were sold, notching up its highest-ever sales during December. Its competitors Mahindra & Mahindra's Scorpio sold over 26,000 units while Tata Motors' Sumo sold over 30,000 units.