Toyota Rumion, based on Maruti Suzuki’s Ertiga, will allow the Japanese auto major to tap into the compact MPV segment, where 325,000 vehicles were sold in the last calendar year. Toyota operates in India through Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM), a JV with Kirloskar Group.
“We are seeing a strong demand for utility vehicles in the Indian market. The compact MPV market itself grew by 22% in the last calendar year,” Atul Sood, vice-president (sales and strategic marketing) at Toyota Kirloskar Motor, told ET. “With the Rumion, we are targeting consumers, dominantly businesspersons, who want a vehicle for daily commuting and also for travelling with their families over weekends.” Toyota’s MPVs in India include best-sellers Innova Crysta and Innova Hycross – both priced upwards of ₹20 lakh – and Toyota Vellfire at the premium end of the market.
Toyota also plans to introduce electrified vehicles in the market along with partner Suzuki to shore up volumes sustainably in India.
Once renewable energy accounts for a more favourable part of the energy mix and charging infrastructure for electric cars comes up across the country, Gulati said the company will examine opportunities to bring in pure EVs.