In an interaction, Toyota said that it will roll out products based on multiple technologies to cater to different customer segments.
Masakazu Yoshimura, managing director of Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said it aims to introduce products based on several clean technologies for the Indian market. He added that the company will strengthen the internal combustion engine based model range to meet all kinds of emerging customer requirements in the country. He was talking to news agency PTI on the sidelines of Auto Expo, 2023.
Yoshimura said India is one of the most important markets for Toyota globally. He added that the automaker will continue to roll out products based on environment-friendly technologies considering various factors such as the country's energy mix, consumer needs and infrastructure readiness.
The automaker also acknowledged the Indian government's support in terms of various schemes such as the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (FAME II) and Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes. He advocated a carbon based taxation system.
During the conversation, Yoshimura also said that the automaker is conscious of the fact that a huge amount of foreign exchange goes into importing fossil fuels.
"So this is probably one of the biggest problems for the country. So, we are doing everything possible to support whatever the government wants to solve," he added.
He added: "We are just a manufacturing, sales and marketing unit. So the scope is quite limited but what we can do with new technology, new products, maybe that is the area we can focus on."
Toyota has committed to carbon neutrality by 2050 and aims to achieve net zero carbon in manufacturing operations by 2035.
The automaker continues to offer customers a wide choice of vehicle powertrain technologies including Strong Hybrid Electric Vehicle (SHEV), Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV), Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV), Fuel-Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEV) . Flex-fuel as well as Flex Fuel Strong Hybrid Electric Vehicle (FFV-SHEV), and other biofuel vehicles.
In India, Toyota recently launched a pilot project on flexi-fuel strong hybrid electric vehicle (FFV-SHEV) technology.
"Our focus is on what the people want and what the country wants to solve," he said.
He also stressed on the need for products that match the needs and requirements of a particular region.
“People are saying it is Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) or Internal Combustion Engine (ICE).. It should not be like A or B, it should be A, B and C, to match it with regional issues Must be diverse. So what we are saying is mobility for all, we cannot leave anyone behind..that is our philosophy.'
Asked about taxation policies, Yoshimura said the government has been supportive with favorable schemes like FAME 2 and PLI.
However, he admitted that in terms of GST, it is pure battery electric vehicles that are getting lesser taxation benefits as compared to hybrid models.
Yoshimura said, "So, we are saying that it should be like a carbon-based taxation system. It is always the best."
Carbon-based taxation systems set a fixed price per ton of carbon or carbon dioxide emitted to encourage low carbon emissions.
On the global tie-up between Toyota and Suzuki, he said the tie-up is doing very well in India as well.
On supply-side challenges, Yoshimura said he expects the situation to be better this year than last year.
However, it is difficult to predict the exact position given various global geopolitical issues that may have an impact on logistics and other related sectors, he said.
On the business outlook, he said sales are expected to be better than last year.
"I don't know the figures but it will be better...Hopefully it will be double (digit growth)," Yoshimura said.
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