The Hindu Business Line : Toyota Kirloskar Motor yet to decide on small car

New training institute: Mr Yasukuni Enoki, Ambassador of Japan To India (second from left), and Mr Mitsuo Kinoshita, Executive Vice-President, Toyota Motor Corporation, at the inauguration of Toyota Technical Training Institute at Bidadi Industrial Area, Ramanagar Taluk, Karnataka on Wednesday.

Our Bureau

Bangalore, Aug 1 Toyota Kirloskar Motor has yet to take a firm stance on its plan to launch the compact car manufacturing in India even while reports suggest that the Indian subsidiary of the Japanese auto major was eyeing the proposal as part of its strategy to garner a 10 per cent share in the Indian market.

“We believe the small car is popular in India. We are studying the feasibility. But there is no concrete decision yet,” said Mr Mitsuo Kinoshita, Executive Vice-President of Toyota Motor Corporation.

Mr Kinoshita was here to attend the launch of Toyota Technical Training Institute (TTTI) here on Wednesday.

To a question whether TMC was interested in buying the Land Rover or Jaguar cars, which are reported to be on sale, Mr Kinoshita said “there was neither an offer to nor do we intend to bid for it.”

Earlier, addressing a gathering, Mr Kinoshita said it is the first such facility outside TMC’s establishment in Japan. The 70-year-old Toyota Technical Skill Academy, which imparts training to students to acquire skill in automotive production, is one of the two supporting organisations that will enhance the value of TTTI. Nettur Technical Training Foundation, Chennai is the other institution.

The plan to tap the latent talent of those who could ill afford higher technical learning is part of TMC’s strategy to prepare manpower for the growing demand from the automotive industry.

Set up at a cost of Rs 22 crore, the TTTI has already selected a batch of 64 students and the first session will start later this month. The three-year course offers four streams in automotive assembly, automotive paint, automobile weld and mechatronics (a combination of mechanical and industrial electronics). Students will be paid a stipend of Rs 1,800 to Rs 2,200 per month during the residential course. TTTI students have the choice to join Toyota or any other organisation to pursue a career in automotive sector.