Toyota will localize the 1.4-litre diesel engines in India

Toyota is looking at expanding its portfolio with the new Vios and a compact SUV as well. To be competitive it needs to increase the localization and hence it is working towards the local assembly of the 1.4-litre diesel engine. The Etios Liva, Etios, Etios Cross, Vios, compact SUV and the Corolla Altis diesel engines are the same 1.4-litre oil burner in different states of tuning. This will make Toyota a lot more compete in pricing with the competition and make India an important market for exports.Today, even Business Standard confirmed that Toyota has been working on localizing its diesel engines in its Karnataka plant. “The plant will cater to engine requirements of the Innova and Fortuner models. Currently, we are importing diesel engines for these models from our plant in Japan,” T S Jaishankar, deputy managing director, commercial, mentioned this to them in an interview. The company is investing INR 800 crores to set-up this new diesel manufacturing facility in the outskirts of Bengaluru, in their existing plant.

Toyota had already set-up a petrol engine plant there and now it is gearing up for the diesel engine plant. For this year, there will no launches in the small car market as Toyota will be focusing on the existing Etios family and premium sedans. Next year, Toyota is due to launch the new Innova, Innova Cross and the Fortuner.

The Vios too will be coming in next year, so it is a big year for the Japanese car maker in India.

Toyota has even started to export the Etios range to South Africa, Nepal, Kenya and other developing markets.