India-bound 2016 Toyota Innova to launch in Thailand in Q3 2015 - Report

TKM to manufacture engines for new Innova, Fortuner from 2016.

According to a report on AutoSpinn, the next gen 2016 Toyota Innova would have its market launch in Thailand in the third quarter of this calendar year (July-September period). During the same period, Toyota's factory in Karawang, Indonesia, will start producing the MPV for domestic and export (the Indonesian plant exports the Innova to Thailand) markets, the report reads.

For the Indian market though, TKM (Toyota Kirloskar Motor) is unlikely to start production of the second generation Innova until the next financial year (April 2016), which is when a launch is also expected.

The local subsidiary will be betting big on the successors of the Innova and Fortuner to drive sales and increase their overall market share (the Fortuner has a 74 percent share in its segment while the Innova is a market leader with 33 percent share).

TKM will also take an aggressive step in increasing localization on the new Innova and Fortuner models. A new engine manufacturing plant, set up near Jigani, Karnataka, will manufacture engines for these utility vehicles next year, thereby increasing local content to 80 percent.

Also read: 2016 Toyota Fortuner to come with increased focus on safety

To recap, the new Innova will be based on a new ladder-frame platform, and will be powered by a Toyota's new 'GD' engine family for markets abroad.

Rivals: Tata Aria, Chevrolet Enjoy, Maruti Ertiga, Honda Mobilio, Nissan Evalia
Expected Price: INR 9-15 lakhs, ex-Showroom
Launch Date: 2016 in India

[Source - AutoSpinn]