TKM launches new Corolla variant

Bangalore, Sep 4: Celebrating the four decades of leadership position globally of its premium sedan Toyota Corolla, Toyota Kirloskar Motors (TKM) today announced the launch of a new variant of the premium sedan named the Toyota Corolla Executive.

The move is aimed at bringing the world's largest-selling car Toyota Corolla within the reach of a wider section of customers the Company said in a release here.

Announcing the launch of the Corolla Executive, Mr. A.

Toyoshima, Managing Director, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, ''The Corolla Executive was in response to a definite market need.

Customers keen on buying the Corolla, which is world famous for its safety and reliability features, can now afford it without compromising on the core strengths of the product.'' The Corolla, launched in Japan in 1966, has retained the Best Seller tag for 36 of its 40 years. It has sold 31.64 Million units across 149 countries since launch. In India, the 9th Generation Corolla which has won the hearts of its customers through styling and quality performance, has sold 30,000 units since launch in 2003.

The new Corolla Executive was targeted at the huge segment of corporate customers who were till now shying away from buying the Corolla due to budget constraints. The price of the new variant is within the Rs Nine lakh ceiling on corporate purchases made by Senior and Middle level executives.

The new variant was aimed at the highly-competitive mid-size segment which has been growing at 23 per cent last year the release said. The entry of new Corolla variant into this segment was expected to offer the customer a premium product at an affordable rate.

The Corolla Executive comes with the state-of-art 1.8L VVT-i engine, which is known for its power and superior torque. It had no major deviations from the regular technologic specifications of the H1 Corolla. Equipped with an ABS, the new variant comes without airbags and audio system. A three spoke steering wheel and steel wheels are the other changes in the new variant.

UNI