Toyota Kirloskar Motor Private Ltd. (TKM) commenced the exports of its ‘World First, India First’- Toyota Etios Series to South Africa. While the first batch consisted of 247 units of the Etios series, the company targets annual export of 20,000 units. We had bought the news earlier of the Ennore port near Chennai to be the host port for the export, and the first batch departed from this port on Wednesday. On this occasion, several Toyota officials were present, including Mr. Vikram Kirloskar, V. Chairman, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, Mr. Hiroshi Nakagawa, M. D., Toyota Kirloskar Motor, Mr. Vicente Socco, Executive V P, Toyota Motor Asia Pacific (TMAP), Mr. Takashi Sakai, Executive V P, Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) and several government VIPs.
Mr. Vikram Kirloskar, Vice Chairman, TKM, said on this occasion, “It is a very proud moment for the company, Toyota Kirloskar Motor with the first batch of Etios Series departing from India for the South African market. This is a new step toward trade with the exporting from Indai, I would like to convey my appreciation to the entire Toyota team, our associates and suppliers for their hard work, which have made it possible for us to achieve this goal.”
Also commenting on the occasion was Mr. Vicente Socco, Executive V P, Toyota Motor Asia Pacific, “The beginning of export from India, signifies the vital role played by Toyota Kirloskar Motors in the overall trade of Toyota Motors. India was always considered as a significant market for us and it is further enhanced with the initiation of the Etios export to South Africa. TKM’s venture into the export market signifies tremendous growth for Toyota.”
Commenting on this occasion was Mr. Hiroshi Nakagawa, M. D. of Toyota Kirloskar Motors said, “IT has been a long journey for the Toyota Motors with trade in India and now export with efforts of Toyota Kirloskar Motors; we have been triumphant in making Toyota India business a tactical center for both the local and international markets.
The export with South African market displays the classy expertise and finer value pioneered by the Japanese automaker for Etios range. We are convinced that Etios Series will be fairly successful in delivering Toyota’s conformity in quality to South African markets as well”. Moreover, the export Etios will share the platform with India-spec Etios at Toyota’s plant in Bidadi industrial area near Bangalore. This is the second plant of Toyota Kirloskar in the country.
Toyota confirmed that the export variants are trimmed to suit the particular market. As of now, the Japanese auto-giant has announced the export of petrol version of the Etios and the Liva to South Africa.