The Indian market is known to appreciate small cars which are cheap to buy and run. This is why the country has been predominantly a hatchback market dominated by offerings from Maruti-Suzuki, Hyundai and Tata Motors. However with growing incomes compact sedans and even premium hatchbacks have become popular and Toyota knows this all too well. In a bid to become a mainstream player in the Indian market Toyota will unveil the Etios hatchback and notchback at the upcoming 2010 New Delhi Auto Expo. The world debut will be followed by an India launch of the nothcback version later by mid 2010, the first time Toyota has premiered a car in the country. A hatchback variant of the Etios will also be launched three months after the notchback goes on sale.

The Toyota Etios will be manufactured in India first followed by Brazil and will be exported to world markets. In India the car will be pegged below the Corolla and will compete with the Suzuki Swift sedan, Tata’s Manza and the Ford Ikon. Internationally the car is expected to be in the same bracket as the Toyota Yaris sedan and the Toyota Vios. Full details and pricing information is expected at the show but we expect the car to feature a choice of petrol and diesel motors. In the teaser video Toyota has emphasized a lot on ‘Quality Revolution’ indicating that the Etios will be built to exacting Toyota standards which we have come to love.

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