Toyota India rules out Fortuner 2.5L variant; Camry Hybrid's fate rests on government policy

Speaking to Indian Autos Blog at the launch of the new Toyota Camry in New Delhi yesterday, Mr. Sandeep Singh, Deputy Managing Director of Toyota Kirloskar Motor, squashed rumors of a smaller 2.5-liter diesel engine on the India-spec Fortuner. The Fortuner currently employs a larger 3-liter diesel engine.

“Firstly, Innova and Fortuner already share the 2.5-liter diesel engine in certain markets. We looked at that option (for India) and we concluded that it is not a better option not only in terms of product manufacturing convenience but also looking at the customer demand,” Mr Singh explained.

Toyota already sells the Fortuner with the 2.5-liter engine in Thailand and soon will make it available in Malaysia.

Mr. Sandeep Singh also said that the entry of Camry Hybrid entirely depends on the expected amendment in the government policies in the budget 2012-13. As of now, the ministry has proposed a Rs. 6,000 crore incentive package in order to support and boost manufacturing of electric and hybrid cars in India.

Last year, an incentive of Rs. 1 lakh was offered on the price of electric vehicles, which expired in March 2012. The duty of importing conversion kits was also reduced from 10% to 5%. There was a time when the entire custom duty was waived.

The fastest selling hybrid car in India is the Honda Civic Hybrid, which vanished from dealer yards in a few days when Honda slashed its price, for a limited period, by almost 50% back in 2008.