TOYOTA GOING TO SET TRD SHOP IN INDIA

TOYOTA is planning to introduce its in-house performance tuning shop – TRD (Toyota Racing Development) in India early next year. The range will be showcased at the Delhi Auto Expo next month in January.

“We will either launch it (TRD) at the Auto Expo or around three months after that. We will share all the relevant information at the Expo as we confirm our plans for the Toyota range in India. The approvals from our head office (in Tokyo) have just come,” Mr Sandeep Singh, Deputy Managing Director of Toyota Kirloskar Motors told Business Line. Also involved in motorsports, TRD offers accessories and performance parts such as superchargers, suspension kits, brake pads, sport exhausts for most Toyota models like the Corolla, Camry, Land Cruiser and Fortuner.

Currently, in-house performance versions are offered only by the luxury carmakers in the country, such as BMW's ‘M' models, Mercedes-Benz's ‘AMG' range and Audi's ‘RS'-badge models.

“With so many luxury and sports car companies coming to India, and the F1 this year, the excitement around motorsports is on a high . This may be a good time for car companies to offer options of more customised and stylish variants as a differentiator in a market with many options,” an industry expert said.

Mass segment carmakers do not yet offer a performance line in India, but many have such a range in other markets or have tie-ups with external tuning firms. In-house tuning divisions include Ford's SVT, Nissan's Nismo and Mitsubishi's Ralliart.

This development follows news of Toyota bringing in its luxury brand – Lexus, to India. To be launched by 2013, Lexus will have a separate sales network and give tough competition to Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi. Over 15,000 luxury cars were sold in India last year and the 20,000 units mark is expected to be crossed in 2011.

Source - thehindubusinessline