Lexus to Enter Indian Car Market

Lexus, the luxury car brand from Toyota motors will soon enter the Indian car market. The car manufacturer has confirmed this news though earlier it was speculated. The luxury car population is increasing in Indian and with recognizing potential the company has come forward with the decision.

The car manufacturer has not revealed the launch date or the upcoming models for India. The Indian roads have experienced the presence of Lexus cars which has been imported by the individual customers.

Lexus is a popular brand but it is not that prominent in India as in other countries. Very few are even aware that it is part of Toyota Motors. Toyota launched Lexus in 1989 an America and brand received great response and popularity and turning it into a one of the highest selling car brands.

Toyota Prius Hybrid launch delayed in India

The next on the list of ‘Green car’ for the Indian market Toyota Prius hybrid launch is on hold. The reason for the delay is said to be the infrastructure concern, the heavy-duty structure and the inability to launch at a competitive price.

Honda was the first to launch Civic hybrid with the price tag of Rs 21 Lakh. Recently the price slashed to Rs 13 Lakh for a limited period and this in turn has also affected the Toyota’s plan to launch the Prius hybrid in India.

The company was thinking of rolling out Prius hybrid in India by 2009 with the price tag ranging from Rs 20-22 lakh. Globally Toyota and Honda are the leading car manufacturers of hybrid vehicles.

According to Toyota Kirloskar, “the company is still evaluating the conditions for the hybrid car. However, Fortuner from the SUV segment is expected to hit the Indian roads by mid 2009 and compact car by 2010.

Mitsubishi to trim down its car production

Renowned car manufacturer from Japan, Mitsubishi Motorsis expected to cut down the production at its factory in Japan by up to 1, 00,000 units from this November.

The slow sales is said to be the reason for this drastic decision. The company will be reducing the production capacity of cars and SUVs. The economic pressure has given a great pinch to the car manufacturers resulting in slow car sales.

Another car major from Japan Toyota Motors, one of the healthiest car manufacturers as reflected by its AAA debt rating, is also thinking of posting its first quarterly sales decline in seven years.

The production cut will affect the number of models rolled out. This in turn will affect the Indian market too in a big way.

Another low-cost car for India

Small cars already dominate the Indian car market and now we have more coming up. The upcoming Tata Nano has created a sensation in the car market globally with its ‘one lakh price tag. Every car major is working on small and low cost car for India and the latest car brand to join the bandwagon of small cars is Toyota Motors.

The Japanese car manufacturer is working on a new car project and is expected to hit the Indian shores by 2010. The compact car, which will carry the price tag of nearly Rs 2.5 Lakh, will target the younger crown in general.

Toyota’s small car will be tough challenge to Nano, which is scheduled for launch by mid-2009. India is already crowded with small cars. Are the small cars stealing the lime light from the bigger cars?

Six more cars from Toyota

Leading Japanese automakers Toyota Motors are expected to roll out six new cars to the Indian auto market. The models will hail from different car segments including compact sedan, hatchback, diesel and SUV. Toyota is all set to give a tough competition to other car makers in their respective segments. Compact sedan powered by a 1.3L engine will be their first launch will compete with Tata Indigo CS and Maruti Suzuki’s Swift Dzire. Other models would be hatchbacks and sedans in competition with Suzuki’s Swift and Hyundai’s Getz.

The next generation of Corolla is expected to roll in by September this year and diesel corolla in 2010. The company also has plans to drive Fortuner SUV, with a price tag of Rs 16 lakh, to the Indian market in 2009.

Small car turns cheaper

Small car are the center of attraction now and are always in news. Their popularity in India is growing in a big way. Now the latest news about them is that the Congress UPS government has given tax sops to the Indian auto industry and this means that small car will be cheaper now. Now this is the time to rejoice for the new car buyers. Wait there is more to small cars; they will be still cheaper by Rs. 9,000-14,000 as there will be exemption of customs duty on steel too.

There will be a reduction of 4% in excise duty from 12%. There will be a huge difference in the price now and the sales figure of the small cars are gonnna go very high. There is another segment which has also undergone a reduction in duty from 24% to 14% and that in the hybrid section. Toyota Motors will be benefited with this reduction and later Hyundai motors, as they are planning to roll out their hybrid car in India very soon.