Innova leads passenger car segment in South

Toyota Innova, the multi-purpose vehicle from Toyota Kirloskar Motor Private Limited, has captured 15 per cent of the market in the Rs 5-12 lakh car segment in South India.

Innova, positioned as a crossover between a passenger car and a multi-purpose vehicle has emerged as the leading car brand in this segment in four southern states during the first six months of 2006.

Innova's marketshare has increased by 5 per cent from 12 per cent in January-March 2006 to 17 per cent in April-June 2006.

This segment, which is crowded with 18 players, accounted for 44,925 units between January and June 2006 in South India, a growth of 22 per cent over the same period last year.

Innova registered 35 per cent growth in sales at 6,676 units across the region as compared with 4,913 units in the same period last year, a growth of 35 per cent.

For the full year, Toyota aims to sell 14,400 units as against 10,200 units sold in the 10-month period of 2005. Innova was launched in February 2005.

According to Sailesh Shetty, deputy general manager, sales, TKM, Innova has emerged as the preferred vehicle for both sedan and MPV buyers.

"Innova meets all the requirements of our customers from driving to work to going on a holiday with their families and friends," he told reporters here recently.

Toyota sold 1,918 units in Karnataka, 1,667 units in Andhra Pradesh, 1,244 in Kerala and 1,847 units in Tamil Nadu during the first six months of the present calendar year.

In the MPV segment, Innova captured 36 per cent of the market at 19,198 units during the period as against 31 per cent at 15,800 units in the same period last year.

For the full year, Toyota has set a target to sell 40,000 units as against 32,000 units sold last year, Sailesh added.