Toyota is planning to introduce a base-spec Yaris for the commercial sector in a bid to increase the volumes. And market share in the region. So, the Japanese carmaker does not sell any car to fleet customers as the Etios has been discontinued.
For the fleet owners, the Toyota Yaris gets a bare-bones version. With a manual transmission and probably CNG powertrain option. So, it comes with an optional single 1.5-liter petrol engine.
After the Toyota Etios retired. So, the Yaris the company’s last mass-market sedan to sold in the fleet category.
The standard features included in their entry-level model. So, including projector headlamps, cooling glove box, height-adjustable driver seat. With remote locking, all-round control windows, control-adjustable ORVMs, divided rear seats. And also 3 airbags, can be removed.
It would remove the long list of apps to make the quality competitive for the commercial market. Once the fleet version comes. It’ll be fascinating to see the Yaris prices.
The decision by Toyota to pull the plug on the slow-selling Etios. This was also available in a commercial version. So, it presented the firm with a compelling business case to pursue a fleet replacement in the Yaris.
So at present, the Yaris is sold to private customers in seven models. At Rs 8.76 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The J (optional) entry-level model fitted with projector headlamps, a cooling glove box, a height-adjustable driver’s seat. With remote locking, all-round control windows, control-adjustable wing mirrors, rear armrest, divided rear seats. And also three airbags. So, the company is looking to remove the list of equipment to reach a “taxi-appropriate, low-specific model.”
The Yaris is powered by a 1.5-liter petrol engine with 107hp. Assuming that Toyota will only sell the base-spec model with a manual gearbox to keep prices to a minimum, it is safe. One might also look at a fleet operator version of CNG.