Toyota Lunched Hatchback Model Based on the Etios

A full year has past since Toyota launched its first mid-sized sedan in the country. The Etios became the Japanese car maker’s entry-level offering following which a hatchback model based on the Etios was launched. The Toyota Liva was thus born. Both models have done fairly well but neither of the two has managed to shake the foundations of the front runners. Compared to products from Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors and Hyundai, Toyota hasn’t been able to capture the market as such. Still, the Liva’s sales are at least better than Skoda and Volkswagen.

Toyota has two hatchbacks in its overseas portfolio – Yaris and Aygo – that it couldn’t bring to India as both were designed without taking India into consideration and were expensive compared to offerings from rival brands.

Toyota is likely to manufacture the Etios in other destinations. Recently the Liva was spotted testing in Brazil, its badges were taped. The car is packed till the wheel arch brushes the rear tire. For the Brazilian market, Toyota has to rework the engine to run on high ethanol content. They could also drop an AT variant, and the sedan’s 1.5-liter petrol engine could feature on certain Liva variants to capitalize on the country’s decent demand for powerful hatchbacks.

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