Toyota Kirloskar Motor ramps up production to 2,10,000 units

BANGALORE: Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) today announced that it will ramp up its annual production capacity to 2,10,000 units.

The ramp up is in line with TKM's increasing annual production capacity in order to cater to the increase in demand for Innova, Fortuner, Corolla Altis and Etios, a company press release said.

The company recently announced plans for introduction of a second shift production in April, reduction in production time per vehicle, production enhancement and postponement of the launch of hatchback Etios Liva from April to June 2011 aimed at reducing the waiting period for Etios.

Furthering these measures, annual production capacity of the first plant currently manufacturing the Innova, Corolla Altis and Fortuner, will be increased from 80,000 units to 90,000 units in the third quarter of 2011.

The second plant currently manufactures the Etios. To cater to the increasing demand for Etios and with a view to reduce the waiting period, annual production capacity for the second plant will be raised from 70,000 to 1,20,000 units, it said.

The expansion will be carried out in a phased manner starting July 2011, extending into the second quarter of 2012. The 1,20,000 units will also include 20,000 units of Corolla Altis, shifted from the first plant to the second plant in the first half of 2012.

Hiroshi Nakagawa, Managing Director, TKM said "The demand for Innova and Fortuner has persistently grown in the recent months and consequently the waiting period. The huge demand for the Etios has further provided momentum to expand our production capacity. We will enhance our production capacity to cater to our customers growing demand."

Sandeep Singh , Deputy Managing Director, Marketing, TKM added "We recently announced our plans to bring down the waiting period for Etios, which included enhancing production and deferring launch of Etios Liva. This production expansion will further our aim to bring down the waiting period."

Toyota had postponed the opening ceremony of its second plant in Bidadi scheduled for March 15 following the earthquake and tsunami in Japan.