Toyota Urban Cruiser launched in India: Price starts from Rs 8.4 lakh
The Urban Cruiser is that the second model to be launched in India under the worldwide Toyota-Suzuki alliance after the premium hatchback, Glanza. it’s the cross-badged version of Maruti Suzuki’s compact SUV Vitara Brezza.
Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) will start deliveries of the Urban Cruiser from mid-October. (Image source: Toyota Bharat)
Japanese auto major Toyota on Wednesday launched its compact SUV Urban Cruiser, which it’s sourced from compatriot Suzuki, in India with price starting at Rs 8.4 lakh because it looks to use cross-badged products from the latter to draw more customers within the volume segment.
The Urban Cruiser is that the second model to be launched in India under the worldwide Toyota-Suzuki alliance after the premium hatchback, Glanza. it’s the cross-badged version of Maruti Suzuki’s compact SUV Vitara Brezza.
The model is powered by K-Series 1.5 litre four-cylinder petrol engine and can be available in manual transmission and automatic drive options in three variants of mid, high and premium priced between Rs 8.4-11.30 lakh.
Virata Brezza on the opposite hand is priced at Rs 7.34 lakh for the entry level variant and goes up to Rs 11.15 lakh for the highest end (all prices ex-showroom Delhi).
Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) will start deliveries of the Urban Cruiser from mid-October.
“Globally, our collaboration with Suzuki goes alright , particularly in India. once more Urban Cruiser will show us a way stronger relationship,” TKM director Masakazu Yoshimura told PTI.
He said the cross-badged products from Suzuki will serve to draw more customers to the Toyota fold to develop a long-term relationship with the corporate .
Citing the instance of Glanza, which Maruti Suzuki sells as Baleno, he said the corporate has thus far sold 30,000 units which is Toyota’s first challenge into the B-segment targeting young millennial customers in India.
“Surprisingly, the merchandise has been well accepted, and our aftersales marketing strategy is additionally well accepted,” Yoshimura said adding even sales of Maruti Suzuki Baleno has increased.
“With Maruti Baleno and our Glanza, (together) as a motor industry we are welcoming old and new car buyers into that segment. Either from two-wheelers or second user cars, many first-time customers are the bulk of the buyers,” he said adding “that is sweet evidence which is showing our collaboration between Suzuki and Toyota globally (is working well)”.
Yoshimura further said,”The same applies to Urban Cruiser, even as Glanza. this is often the phase two of our collaboration with Maruti Suzuki.”
He said Toyota’s entry into the compact SUV space comes at a time when the segment has gained much popularity in India thanks to its somatotype and superior road presence thereby garnering greater connect and appeal among today’s youth.
The model will compete with the likes of Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Hyundai Venue, Kia Sonet, Honda WR-V, Mahindra XUV 3OO, Tata Nexon and Ford Ecosport.
The launch of the Urban Cruiser may be a direction towards the company’s “focus of delivering the simplest products and services to customers who have remained loyal to the brand over the years while trying to find ways to welcome more customers, particularly the youth, to the Toyota family”, Yoshimura added.
“We always believe that sales isn’t the last a part of us being as a manufacturer. it’s the start line to make relationships with each and each consumer,” he said.
When asked if the corporate would export the Urban Cruiser from India, he said,”We don’t have that plan. Maybe within the future but at the instant we don’t have that specific plan.”
The Urban Cruiser comes with safety features like dual front airbags, anti-lock braking system with electronic brakeforce distribution, hill hold control and reverse parking camera with display in audio.
Besides, it features a replacement 17.78 cm smart playcast touchscreen audio and 4 door speakers and two tweeters, among others, the corporate said.
