Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) launched its much-awaited entry-level sedan, the Etios, on December 01, 2010. The car comes with a 1.5-litre petrol engine, and is available in 5 variants with prices ranging from Rs 4.96 lakh to Rs 6.87 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). A hatchback version of the car – the Etios Liva – will be launched in April 2011. The company reported 8,100 bookings for the Etios within one week of its launch; deliveries will begin in January 2011.
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Mr Akio Toyoda, President – Toyota Motor Corporation, said that the company invested Rs 2,000 crore over a period of five years to develop the car’s platform, which has been built specifically for India and other emerging markets. He also said that a diesel version of the car was in the pipeline, but did not provide details. The current level of localization in the Etios is 70 percent, which is expected to go up to 90 percent one the engines and transmission systems start being manufactured in India.
