The Hindu Business Line : Toyota Prado to hit the Indian roads by month-end

AUTO major Toyota Kirloskar Motors is gearing up to set-off some fresh action in the crowded domestic sports utility vehicle (SUV) market. It will launch its premium product the Land Cruiser Prado later this month.

Top company sources told Business Line the company has firmed up plans to initially launch its V6, 4-litre petrol engine version of the SUV. Plans are to bring in completely built units of the SUV from the Toyota plant in Japan. A company spokesperson, when contacted, said: "Plans for the scheduled launch date are still being worked out", and declined to give any further details of the project. Sources said the company was targeting sales of an estimated thousand units in the first year.

The 5-door, 235 bhp SUV will have features such as 5-speed auto-transmission, permanent four-wheel drive, dual zone airconditioning, height control mechanism and the trademark Toyota Electronic Modulated Suspension.

The company has still not finalised the price. Toyota Kirloskar Motors is also planning an MUV to replace its Qualis model and is believed to be working on a 2005 launch for the vehicle that will be simultaneously launched across other global markets such as South Africa and Thailand.