{"id":130475,"date":"2022-12-06T05:36:46","date_gmt":"2022-12-06T05:36:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fin2me.com\/?p=130475"},"modified":"2022-12-06T05:36:46","modified_gmt":"2022-12-06T05:36:46","slug":"long-term-science-is-the-only-thing-that-works","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fin2me.com\/business\/long-term-science-is-the-only-thing-that-works\/","title":{"rendered":"‘Long-term science is the only thing that works’"},"content":{"rendered":"
‘If we are to be a contributor to the economy, we have to reduce carbon and imports.’ Toyota Kirloskar Motor will put the Innova Hycross on the market in January.<\/p>\n The model, expected to be priced at more than Rs 20 lakh (Rs 2 million), will have hybrid options apart from gasoline.<\/p>\n This is the first hybrid offer by the company in the mainstream UV (utility vehicle) segment after the Hyryder.<\/p>\n In an interview recorded a few days before his death of a heart attack, Vikram S Kirloskar<\/strong>, vice-chairman, Toyota Kirloskar, told Shally Seth Mohile<\/strong>\/Business Standard<\/em> that his company is content with pursuing hybrid technology even as others have chosen the pure battery electric route to reduce carbon emission.<\/p>\n Toyota has been almost a lone-ranger when it comes to hybrids. Given that the policy push is unidirectional (on EVs), does it hurt?<\/strong><\/p>\n No. We have taken a stand that we are in for overall carbon reduction.<\/p>\n Scientifically, in India, on a well-to-wheel basis we are 100 per cent sure that hybrids have a much lower carbon footprint than any other technology.<\/p>\n In my opinion, long-term science is the only thing that works.<\/p>\n The share of renewable energy as a percentage of total generation is only 30 per cent.<\/p>\n Unless this goes up I don’t see carbon emission coming down.<\/p>\n We are content with hybrids, and are testing flex fuels.<\/p>\n I think flex fuels will do both — reduction in carbon and also bringing down imports.<\/p>\n If we are to be a contributor to the economy, we have to reduce carbon and imports.<\/p>\n We will achieve both — that’s our target. The choice of technology will be based only on this.<\/p>\n As far as EVs are concerned, we are manufacturing electric motors as well as hybrid transmissions.<\/p>\n There’s not much difference between making parts for pure EVs and hybrids. We will focus on what reduces carbon and imports.<\/p>\n So will Toyota stay clear of EVs even as most others are pursuing them?<\/strong><\/p>\n I am not saying we will stay clear of EVs. We will do what our customers want.<\/p>\n A lot will depend on the market and infrastructure. We are committed to the prime minister’s call of ‘Make in India’, and carbon reduction.<\/p>\n We will make sure our product strategy fits into these.<\/p>\n Do we see any movement on tax reduction on hybrids?<\/strong><\/p>\n The customer is benefiting from hybrids. If you look at the Hyryder, fuel consumption is half its comparable ICE (internal combustion engine<\/em>). It’s up to the government to figure out.<\/p>\n We haven’t asked for tax reduction anywhere. As a country, we need to spend on infrastructure and a whole lot of other areas.<\/p>\n If at all there’s any reduction, it has to be over 10 years. It will benefit not only the industry but the economy if the volumes increase.<\/p>\n I don’t want a budget deficit. If I have a choice between tax reduction and a lower budget deficit, I will go for the latter.<\/p>\n The Hycross will sell alongside the Crysta. This is a departure from what you have done so far — replaced the existing model with the new one. What explains this?<\/strong><\/p>\n There still is very significant demand for the Innova. Both the models are different in design and construction.<\/p>\n A lot of people still want the Crysta, which has a ladder frame design for certain kinds of road conditions.<\/p>\n Although this car (Hycross<\/em>) can take all kinds of road conditions, we are still retaining it in case some people still want it.<\/p>\n Also, considering that it shares quite a few parts with the Fortuner, it makes sense to continue the model.<\/p>\n What has worked for you in Toyota Motor Corp’s alliance with Suzuki Motor Corp? What lies ahead?<\/strong><\/p>\n We have learnt a lot from each other on manufacturing, purchasing, the cost structure, and efficiency structure.<\/p>\n At a working level there’s a very good partnership.<\/p>\n We aren’t competing directly on any specific thing.<\/p>\n It has taken a long time because a lot of upfront planning is making sure that the goals are clear from each side.<\/p>\n A broader product line-up has helped our dealer network in getting more people into the showroom and giving better service.<\/p>\n Also, we are likely to hit full volumes at our plant, and we won’t have any capacity left by the middle of next year.<\/p>\n The Suzuki Ertiga and Ciaz have been selling as the Toyota Rumeo and Belta, respectively, in some markets as part of the alliance for almost a year. Do we see them here as well?<\/strong><\/p>\n Each country has a different strategy, depending on customer requirements and pricing. India is a small SUV market.<\/p>\n The interesting thing about the Toyota Suzuki alliance is that each country and the requirements there are being looked at. The strategy is not model-wise, but country-wise.<\/p>\n Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani\/Rediff.com<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
‘We will achieve both — that’s our target.’<\/strong><\/p>\n