Toyota Kirloskar drives in first mass-market hybrid car in India
In tow with Japanese carmakers’ preference for hybrid vehicles as part of their anti-pollution drive, Toyota Kirloskar Motor on Friday unveiled the Urban Cruiser Hyryder SUV, its first mass market hybrid car in India.
“We have three challenges — pollution, crude oil import, which is leading to a trade deficit, and increasing fuel charges. To tackle them, self-charging string hybrid electric vehicles are a practical solution for the country,” said Venugopal P B, vice-president, Toyota Kirloskar Motor.
Japanese automakers’ stress on hybrids stands distinct from the government’s heavy push for full electric vehicles. Auto majors such as Maruti Suzuki, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, and Honda Cars are pushing the government for incentives for hybrid vehicles similar to those that battery electric vehicles (BEV) get.
