Seems like another rival for Maruti’s best-selling Alto model is in the making, which is likely to be rolled out under Toyota’s low-cost brand Daihatsu. Media reports suggest, Toyota is planning to launch a sub-Etios minicar under Daihatsu, that could debut at the 2020 Auto Expo. Sources in the know reveal Toyota is planning to collaborate with Datsun’s suppliers in India for the development of its upcoming mini-car. In a bid to keep the pricing competitive, Daihatsu could even set up a separate production line at Toyota’s Bidadi plant located un Bengaluru. One must note that Toyotas’ Etios twins are also manufactured at the Bidadi facility.
In the budget segment, the upcoming model (yet unnamed) will take on the likes of Maruti Alto, Renault Kwid, Datsun redi-Go and Hyundai Eon. Industry insiders further confirm that Daihatsu is considering its India entry and while Toyota had vehemently denied foraying into the sub- Rs 5 lakh segment, it could bring budget models under its low-cost Daihatsu brand, likely to be priced in the range of Rs 3.5 lakh to Rs 4.5 lakh. In Japan, Daihatsu makes minicars with engines up to 660cc. As Daihatsu sets sights on the Indian market, Toyota could also plan to introduce this model to other emerging markets. Read More – Toyota To Launch India’s Safest & Most Fuel Efficient Small Car
Collaborating with Datsun’s supplier could simply & accelerate the process to build a minicar, considering that Daihatsu could benefit from Nissan’s efforts. With new models coming in the segment, there’s a serious threat to Maruti Suzuki India’s reign in the budget segment that accounts for a major chunk of the market. Another theory that is doing the rounds in the industry is that the minicar could carry Toyota’s badge instead of Daihatsu. Read More – Toyota-owned Daihatsu’s India Launch By 2019; Focus on Small Car Segments
Earlier this year, Daihatsu decided to establish a new in-house firm, ‘Emerging-market Compact Car Company’ that will work dedicatedly to develop new-age affordable cars for emerging markets. Toyota and Daihatsu issued a joint statement earlier this year that Emerging-market Compact Car Product & Business Planning Division will cross-organizations of both Toyota and Daihatsu.
