Toyota plans more hybrid vehicles for India

New Delhi: Buoyed by the response to its hybrid sedan Camry, Japanese auto major Toyota is mulling bringing more such vehicles with alternate fuel technology in  India. The company, which is present in India in a joint venture with the Kirloskar group -- Toyota Toyota Kirloskar Motor, is celebrating the first anniversary of its Camry Hybrid in India during which it has sold 541 units.

"Currently 75 per cent of Camry sales are hybrid. The vehicle has been appreciated for its ideal combination of a luxury sedan and hybrid technology. Looking at the response we are encouraged to consider bringing more hybrid vehicles to  India," TKM Director and Senior Vice President (Sales and  Marketing) N Raja said in a statement. 

The Camry hybrid is manufactured at a separate assembly  line within Toyota Kirloskar Motor's second plant located in  Bidadi, near Bengaluru. Globally India is the 9th country to  manufacture Toyota hybrid vehicles. The Camry hybrid automatic transmission is currently  priced at Rs 30 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).

On completion of Camry hybrid's one year in India, Raja said: "We would like to see increasing sales of Hybrid in  India. We look forward to one and all joining us in this drive  to popularise this technology and its use." Outlining Toyota's goal of taking the lead in making  eco-friendly cars, TKM Managing Director said: "Energy crisis  and increasing pollution are some of the gravest problems  faced by the world today. Toyota aims to lead the future of  mobility by addressing these challenges." 

He said Toyota achieved an important milestone with its  cumulative global hybrid sales crossing the 7 million mark, in  October this year.  A hybrid vehicle has more than one power source to move the vehicle.