Toyota to launch small car in India

Toyota Motor Corp. will introduce its first small car in India, with a 1.2-liter gasoline engine and is also considering offering a diesel engine option, a senior executive at its local unit said. “We are well on track to launch the small car by end-2010 and will showcase it during the upcoming (New Delhi) Auto Expo in January,” said Sandeep Singh, deputy managing director at Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt.  Toyota Kirloskar will produce the new small car at its second factory, being built with an investment of Rs32 billion (US$677.11 million) near the southern city of Bangalore. Singh says the second plant will start with an initial capacity of 70,000 cars a year. (November 6, 2009)