Toyota refurbishes the Innova

Toyota Kirloskar Motors has relaunched the popular Innova with a few cosmetic changes. The front has a new bumper with a deeper airdam, a more prominent chrome slatted grille and slightly different looking clear lens headlamps and foglamps.

The new front bumper also helps make the refurbished Innova 25mm longer. The rear too gets a sporty touch while the tail lamps get the clear lens treatment.

The interiors have been altered with the car now receiving climate control and an indash audio system with steering mounted controls. The interiors also get fake wood inserts. The upgraded version of its multi-purpose vehicle Innova, priced between Rs7.66 lakh and Rs11.06 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

The company has so far sold 160,000 units of Innova since its launch in 2005 and holds a 36-per cent market share in the MPV segment. The segment posted a 13 per cent negative growth in 2008. The company also plans to introduce the CNG version of the Innova soon.

According to Sandeep Singh, deputy managing director (marketing), Toyota Kirloskar. Toyota had a sales target of 60,000 units in 2008, but sold 51,803 units. In the coming year the target us set at 54,600 units.

Toyota Kirloskar Motor - which had cut output by 30 per cent in November and December - is hopeful of resuming normal production from March.
Toyota looks to manufacture Camry locally to bring down prices,

Singh also said, Toyota may manufacture its globally popular sedan, Camry, in India, in a bid tolowr the huge import duty on imported cars and bring down price of Camry by as much as 20-25 per cent or Rs4-Rs5 lakh, from its current selling price of Rs21 lakh, pitting it against the Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata and Skoda Laura.

The Camry is currently imported from Japan and attracts a composite import duty of 110 per cent.