KARACHI: Rejecting rumours of discontinuation of Toyota’s hot brand Corolla GLi and XLi, an official of Indus Motor said both Corolla XLi and GLi will continue in the country as hot brands of the company.
The Indus Motor Company Ltd (IMC) now depends on Corolla XLi and Corolla GLi for the last 17 years in Pakistan as both the models have remained hot favourites among the automotive consumers.
“The company has prepared a study and it’s the company’s routine work. It doesn’t mean to implement it very soon,” the official informed. “The company is not working on any plan to discontinue both vehicles and it’s just a rumour,” he claimed.
After the mounting graph of Honda’s new City models and Suzuki’s Vitara and Cultus, the industry sources said, the company is little perturbed and thinking to change its model which can compete for rival vehicles and regain its popularity in the Pakistani market again.
In the replacement of Corolla GLi, XLi, a new 1300cc Toyota models may be introduced. People and dealers believe the new model will compete with the new Honda City. It could be Yaris or Vios but more chance is that Toyota might just launch Toyota Vios 2018 by the next year. But it is just a rumour and the company has not confirmed it.
In the first quarter, 2017-18 Honda’s sales grew 56 per cent to 12,606 units while the sales of Toyota Corolla increased by only 4-5 per cent during the said period.
An analyst said, “There is a demand of Honda Civic and BRV and the sales of Honda vehicles have gone up by 24 per cent in the month of September 2017.”
Suzuki’s (PSMC) sales were also up 22 per cent YoY as price-conscious models Mehran went up by 43 per cent), WagonR 60 per cent, and Cultus 33 per cent all exhibiting healthy growth. Cumulative first-quarter sales were up 30 per cent YoY of PSMC to 32,777units.
Toyota’s Indus Motors (INDU) lagged behind peers with only 4-5 per cent growth in September 2017 and it sold only 4,108 units and in first quarter sold 12,756 units due to production constraints. There is also news that the Toyota is facing problems on production sides and could not meet the demand. The On-Money on Toyota’s vehicles is also increasing day to day.
“Rumors suggest that Toyota Indus is ultimately going to discontinue 1300cc Corolla. And instead, a new 1300cc Toyota model will be launched,” the analyst claimed.
A dealer said, “The consumers are looking for the small cars like Vitz and if Toyota does launch a smaller car they can compete with Honda and Suzuki in Pakistan. Otherwise, there is no future of big vehicles in Pakistan.”
“We keep discussing changes and new models with our principals. However, there is nothing concrete right now. If there is any material news, the company will inform the public accordingly,” IMC CEO Ali Asghar Jamali said to Dawn.
XLi and GLi models constitute a 60-65pc share of total Corolla sales by IMC, said Jamali.
Dewan Motor Ltd is also going to launch its latest car BMW 5 Series, a plug-in Hybrid variant on October 18 in Lahore, it is learnt. The hybrid variant will now join the ranks of the world’s most successful business Sedan.
The world’s most successful BMW 530e iPerformance, a plug-in hybrid, is now also available in Pakistan. In this connection, BMW has initially fixed charging stations in Pakistan including in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad and others big cities.
Toyota Indus should consider Introduction of security features like immobilizer, which is presently available in City, Vagon R and now in Cultus ,spending a huge amount and in turn nothing is offered by company could be a possible reason in sales reduction and if stats are accumulated regarding theft Corolla is again number one choice of thieves so why one should pay more than rival brands for less features
Toyota Corolla is an UGLY car. Not Good Looking at all. Interior also is not perfect.
This is better. to discontinue this on-going model in Pakistan. This should be replaced by powerful smaller smart model. That’s it.
Lahoris have a slavish mentality apparently, yet I am surprised to note that despite NaaAhl family’s repeated promoting of BMW Lahoris still want this Brand?