The Toyota Vios is being tested in India and a launch is very probable next year. The vehicle will share engines with the Etios and will be priced at a premium like all Toyota cars.
Multiple reports suggested the launch of the Vios in India and now the vehicle has been spotted for the first time in the country, in Bangalore. Toyota has a plant in Bidadi which is near Bangalore so one can expect the company to launch the Vios in the country later this year. The automaker hasn’t been doing very well with sales mostly coming form its UVs, the Innova and Fortuner while the Corolla also manages good numbers. The Etios twins (or is it triplets with the Etios Cross?) have failed to live up to the company’s expectations, the Camry doesn’t sell either.
The Toyota Vios makes a lot of sense in the Indian car market, more so for Toyota as the company has the Etios in the C1 segment (entry-level C-segment) and the Corolla in the D1 segment (lower D-segment, Camry sits in the D2 segment). Thus the Vios can be perfectly positioned between the Etios and Corolla, thereby completing Toyota’s sedan portfolio in the country. The C-segment is a hot segment, led by the Honda City while the Hyundai Verna manages to come second but has been pushed off its runner up spot by the not so old Maruti Ciaz.
Globally Toyota offers the Vios with a range of engines and transmission options but in India, one can expect the same 1.5-litre petrol and 1.4-litre diesel engines from the Etios sedan. Unveiled at the 2013 Bangkok Motor Show, the third generation Vios is an Asia centric model and also goes by the Yaris nameplate in some markets. One can expect Toyota to slot the Vios between the Rs. 9-12 lakh bracket. The vehicle will have to fight a ton of competition as there are already 9 cars in the C2 segment, with Toyota being the only manufacturer who is conspicuous by its absence.
Spy Pictures Source – Team-BHP.com