Toyota to increase Etios production in Brazil

Toyota Motor Corporation today announced that its subsidiary Toyota do Brasil plans to increase annual production of the Etios at its Sorocaba Plant in São Paulo from 74,000 units to 108,000 units.

The increase, which is scheduled to come into effect at the beginning of 2016, is aimed to meet increased demand for the vehicle series in Brazil, and will involve additional investment of around 100 million Brazilian real. The plant currently has around 1,600 employees. Toyota says it will utilise its lean manufacturing expertise to ensure an optimal return on the investment through rigorous process innovation and highly efficient utilization of existing plant facilities.

At the time of its launch in Brazil in September 2012, Etios sales ranged between 2,000 and 3,000 units per month and have now around 6,000-7,000 per month. Customer feedback in the local market saw improvements to the Etios series in the form of new seat upholstery and seat height adjusters. The model line-up was expanded in November 2013 with the addition of the Etios Cross crossover vehicle. On the dealership front, Toyota is currently setting up 54 new showrooms and satellite stores during 2014-2015 to improve access to aftersales.

Koji Kondo, president of Toyota do Brasil, said: "This expansion of Etios production at our Sorocaba Plant is a result of always listening carefully to customer feedback to produce ever-better cars."

Steve St. Angelo, chairman of Toyota do Brasil and Toyota's CEO for Latin America and the Caribbean Region, said: "I am very proud of the good teamwork and cooperation of our Toyota Brazil Team. They build quality in every car. They take care of the customers. Congratulations on this expansion and creating much-needed Brazilian jobs."

Toyota do Brasil has two other plants in Brazil. While the Indaiatuba, Sao Paolo, plant has been making the Corolla (70,000 units per annum) since August 1998, the Sao Bernardo plant (set up in 1962) makes parts for the Corolla and Hilux.