NEW DELHI: Japanese carmaker Toyota is “unlikely” to launch any new models in India till 2020 when the new emission norms kick in and will mange with its existing portfolio till then in the country.
The company, which operates in India through a joint venture with Kirloskar group, plans to bring in hybrids and latest technology vehicles in the country as part of its long term strategy.
“We can’t bring in a technology whether petrol or diesel vehicles and then have Euro-IV suddenly kick in that they have promised by 2020. So right now up till 2020 atleast it seems very unlikely that we will bring in any of the gasoline and diesel models,” Toyota Kirloskar Motor Vice Chairman and Whole Time Director Shekar Viswanathan said.
Once the government brings in new fuel pan-India then the company will be in a position to bring in new models, he added. “Till then we will mange with our existing portfolio”.
He, however, felt hopeful that with the lifting of the ban on 2000cc and above vehicles, the company is in a better position to talk to the parent firm.
“We are hopeful that with the ban removed we can talk to our principals and tell them this is now the available opportunity to bring in new models. That decision will however be of Toyota Motor Corporation,” Viswanathan said.
“What those newer models are going to be we don’t know. I can hazard a guess that those newer models are going to be in the direction of hybrid and later technology vehicles,” he said.
Elaborating on the investment freeze in the country, Viswanathan said: “There will no fresh investment in plant and machine, but there could be further investment in introducing models… That part will continue.”
When asked about the long-term plan, Viswanathan said Toyota globally has got a plan of introducing hybrid vehicles, hydrogen vehicles. (AGENCIES)
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