Thread Starter
#1
Toyota Motor Corporation is planning to launch Hybrid variants of its Etios models in India. The models are currently offered in petrol and diesel variants in a hatchback and sedan form.
A Business Line report states that in India the Etios Hybrid will be targeted at the growing educated middle-class which is conscious about environmental change. Currently the only option to the environmentally conscious car buyer is the all-electric Mahindra E2O.
A hybrid has many advantages over an all-electric vehicle as they don’t need charging outlets or long charging times, no range limitations and most importantly an internal combustion engine for backup.
Honda in 2008 introduced a Hybrid version of their popular premium sedan Civic. However the car did not catch the eye of the Indian buyers with its exorbitant price tag. Only 300 units of the Civic Hybrid were imported into the country, which the company struggled to sell.
Toyota on the other hand may see the timing to be more apt for the launch of such a vehicle. Toyota may be planning to take advantage of the National Electric Mobility Master Plan 2020 which offers incentives and tax benefits to Hybrid and Electric cars.
Toyota is the number one manufacturer of Hybrid cars in the world, selling over a million Hybrids in the year 2012. The company produces its own Ni-metal hydride batteries, but is now intensifying its efforts to introduce lithium ion batteries that are lighter and take less time to charge.
“In 2011, some of the hybrid vehicles and the Prius plug-in started to adopt lithium ion battery. Safety is critical, and should not be compromised to reduce cost,” said Satoshi Ogiso, Managing Officer, Toyota Motor Corporation.
Over the prospects of the Etios Hybrid coming to india, Kouji Toyoshima, Chief Engineer, TMC, said, “If it happens, it could be a smart solution for Indians, who are smart.”
Toyota Etios Hybrid on its way to India? | wheelsunplugged.com
A Business Line report states that in India the Etios Hybrid will be targeted at the growing educated middle-class which is conscious about environmental change. Currently the only option to the environmentally conscious car buyer is the all-electric Mahindra E2O.
A hybrid has many advantages over an all-electric vehicle as they don’t need charging outlets or long charging times, no range limitations and most importantly an internal combustion engine for backup.
Honda in 2008 introduced a Hybrid version of their popular premium sedan Civic. However the car did not catch the eye of the Indian buyers with its exorbitant price tag. Only 300 units of the Civic Hybrid were imported into the country, which the company struggled to sell.
Toyota on the other hand may see the timing to be more apt for the launch of such a vehicle. Toyota may be planning to take advantage of the National Electric Mobility Master Plan 2020 which offers incentives and tax benefits to Hybrid and Electric cars.
Toyota is the number one manufacturer of Hybrid cars in the world, selling over a million Hybrids in the year 2012. The company produces its own Ni-metal hydride batteries, but is now intensifying its efforts to introduce lithium ion batteries that are lighter and take less time to charge.
“In 2011, some of the hybrid vehicles and the Prius plug-in started to adopt lithium ion battery. Safety is critical, and should not be compromised to reduce cost,” said Satoshi Ogiso, Managing Officer, Toyota Motor Corporation.
Over the prospects of the Etios Hybrid coming to india, Kouji Toyoshima, Chief Engineer, TMC, said, “If it happens, it could be a smart solution for Indians, who are smart.”
Toyota Etios Hybrid on its way to India? | wheelsunplugged.com