New Delhi: Toyota Motor Corporation on Wednesday said it would definitely be manufacturing a small car in India, but was waiting for an effective way of competing and foraying into the booming segment at the 'right time', even as it eyes a 10 per cent market share by 2010.
"Of all the emerging markets we are targetting, including Brazil, Russia, India and China -- the (BRIC) countries, India is becoming a priority, as we see competition here. We would like to achieve a 10 per cent market share by 2010, and it is very natural to look at making a small car here, as we want to go where the market is going," Toyota Motor Corporation Executive Vice-President Yoshimi Inaba told reporters while launching the Toyota-Technical Education Programme (T-TEP).
The company has been planning to enter the small car segment in India, currently occupying 75 per cent of the market, but has not yet finalised its plans. However, with the aim of a 10 per cent market share by 2010, Toyota's small car is likely to hit the Indian roads within the next 2-3 years.
"Sooner than later we will be able to announce plans for India. We are currently studying the Indian market to ascertain how and when we come into it," he said.
Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) today launched the apprentice-training initiative -- T-TEP, in association with Toyota Motor Corporation and its nationwide dealer network, at an investment of Rs 25 crore.
The programme was inaugurated by Minister for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises Santosh Mohan Deb.
"Through this programme, TKM will be contributing to the broader industry training and skill enhancement of the Indian automotive
workforce,'' the Minister said. Toyota will partner with 20 industrial training institutes in India till the year 2009 and will train over 1,000 students every year. In the first phase of the programme, TKM has partnered with 4 technical institutes in Delhi, Chennai, Hubli (Karnataka), and Mumbai.
Under the programme, which is an attempt by the company to provide trained manpower in the repair and diagnostic fields and ensure a higher turnover of trained technicians, TKM will train instructors of the institutes to enhance the skill sets and employability of the ITI students in the 15-18 age group.
Besides, the students will also undergo on-the-job training at Toyota's dealerships, and 11 Toyota dealers have been certified for training these technicians.
Globally, this programme exists in 50 countries including Pakistan, US, Australia, Italy, South Africa, China and Vietnam. TKM, which is a joint venture between Toyota Motor Corporation and the Kirloskar group, has invested nearly Rs 1,500 crore in its plant
at Bidadi, employing 2,400 employees. It has an installed capacity of 60,000 units per month.
The company is planning expansion in terms of its existing plant as well as increasing capacity, but refused to give out any further
details.
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