Toyota Kirloskar Motor, the Indian arm of the Japanese automaker Toyota is focusing on rural areas to expand its market presence for the Etios Liva hatchback and the Etios sedan. With its “Go Rural ” initiative which began in late 2011 getting intensified, the company plans on opening 25 new dealerships in smaller cities and rural areas by the end of 2012.
According to Mr. Sandeep Singh Deputy Managing Director Toyota Kirloskar Motor, the company has received about 160 bookings from the rural drive and is targeting about 500 bookings every month from May to July 2012.
A shift of market focus from urban to rural has been witnessed across the Indian automobile industry with the belief of growth potential in the rural markets. Other companies with such initiatives include Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai India, the two top car manufacturers in India.
