Toyota Kirloskar Motor Ramps Up Production

Frankly speaking, this is something we did see coming. After having re-opened the bookings for its popular Fortuner model at the start of the year, Toyota had already made public its plans to pump up the production of its mainstream mid-sized SUV from 500 units to 950 units on a monthly basis to make up for the backlog of 3,273 units from the previous year.

And then, the Etios came along and shook Toyota’s production plans once again, gaining the kind of popularity very few entry level sedans in this country are privileged to experience. With Toyota looking at bringing out 70,000 units of the Etios for the first year, its increasing annual production capacity was bound to face a revision in order to meet the overwhelming demand for its cars, especially the Fortuner and the new Etios sedan in India.

Keeping this in mind, Toyota Kirloskar will now ramp up production of its automobiles in India to 2,10,000 units. Announcing its plans to introduce the second shift of production in April, and its decision to postpone the launch of the hatchback Etios Liva from April to June 2011, Toyota has taken all the steps necessary to maintain its targets and reduce the waiting period for its cars.

Commenting on the expansion Mr. Hiroshi Nakagawa, Managing Director, TKM said “The demand for the Innova and Fortuner has persistently grown in the recent months and consequently the waiting period. The huge demand for the Etios has further provided momentum to expand our production capacity. We will enhance our production capacity to cater to our customers growing demand.” 

Furthering the above mentioned measures, the annual production capacity of the first plant currently manufacturing the Innova, Corolla Altis and Fortuner, will be increased from 80,000 units to 90,000 units in the third quarter of 2011. 

The second plant currently manufactures the Etios. To cater to the increasing demand for  Etios and with a view to reduce the waiting period, the annual production capacity for the second plant will be raised from 70,000 to 1,20,000 units . The 1,20,000 units will also include 20,000 units of the Corolla Altis, shifted from the first plant to the second plant in the first half of 2012.