Toyota Motor Corporation will source gearboxes and other parts for 30 of its globally selling cars from its auto parts joint venture in India, once its commence production next year.
Vehicles from Toyota's prestigious and upcoming Project IMV (international multipurpose vehicle), are among those which will source transmissions from Toyota Kirloskar Auto Parts, Toyota's 90:10 venture with the Kirloskars.
Vikram Kirloskar, vice-chairman, Toyota Kirloskar, said, "The joint venture will supply transmissions to around 30 Toyota vehicles across the world, including Asian and American markets."
Toyota has put in place a global sourcing network spanning many countries for project IMV. The company has chosen Thailand to manufacture engines for this project, as the cost structure for the engine plant were found to be more attractive than India.
Kirloskar pointed out the auto ancillary venture projects in India were highly important for Toyota, and could pave the way for more such projects into the country in future.
Toyota Kirloskar Auto Parts has a capacity of 1.68 lakh (168,000) transmissions per annum, which is almost four times the company's production capacity for the Qualis and Corolla in India.
Dato Akira Okabe, Toyota Motor Corporation's director (Oceania, Middle East & South-East Asian operations), said Toyota may launch a small car in India in future, but declined to elaborate, saying the company is still studying the prospects.
However, he said the company may consider a product from Daihatsu, Toyota's Japanese subsidiary.
Having established itself in India with the multi-purpose vehicle Qualis, Toyota has more recently strengthened its presence through the launch of Camry, the D-segment luxury car being imported in the completely built form, and Corolla, which it will produce in India.
Toyota is planning to sell 35,000 Qualis', 800 Camrys and 9,000 Corollas in India this calender year. It is also planning to launch the premium sports utility Landcruiser Prado towards end-2003.
Atsushi Toyoshima, managing director, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said the same company dealership will sell all the models.
He added that the dealership personnel were undergoing extensive training to be able to sell and service the new models.
