The car industry in India is a booming one with many different companies vying for a share of the market. One such company is Toyota, who entered the Indian market in 1997 with much fanfare. However, by 2010 they had discontinued their operations in the country. So, what went wrong? Why did Toyota cars fail in India? In this blog post, we will explore some of the reasons behind Toyota’s failure in India and what other companies can learn from it.
The Indian Automotive Market
The Indian automotive market is one of the most complex and challenging in the world. In a country with over 1.3 billion people, there are many different types of customers and vehicles.
Toyota entered the Indian market in 1997 with a joint venture with the Indian company, Hindustan Motors. The venture was called Tata Motors. The plan was to produce a low-cost car for the Indian market, but it did not go as planned.
The first problem was that the car was too expensive for most Indians. It also had several quality issues, which made it unpopular with customers. As a result, Tata Motors sold very few cars and lost money every year.
In 2010, Toyota decided to try again in India by setting up its own subsidiary, Toyota Kirloskar Motor Company. This time, they focused on producing a small car called the Etios. The Etios was a success and helped Toyota to become one of the top selling brands in India.
However, in recent years, Toyota has been struggling in India due to intense competition from local brands such as Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai. These companies have been able to offer much better value for money than Toyota. As a result, Toyota’s sales have declined sharply in recent years and it is now struggling to maintain its position in the Indian market.
Toyota’s Strategy in India
Since its inception, Toyota has been known as a company that produces high-quality cars. In recent years, however, the company has been facing some challenges, especially in India.
In India, Toyota had a joint venture with the Indian company Tata Motors. The joint venture was called Tata Toyotsa Motors and it was created in 2010. However, due to some disagreements between the two companies, the joint venture ended in 2017 and Tata Motors acquired all of Toyota’s shares in the venture.
Since then, Toyota has been trying to establish itself in India as a standalone company. The company started by launching new models of cars that were specifically designed for the Indian market. However, these cars failed to meet the expectations of Indian customers and did not sell well.
In order to boost its sales in India, Toyota adopted a new strategy. The company decided to focus on selling its existing models of cars that were popular in other markets such as Europe and Japan. This strategy worked and Toyota’s sales increased significantly in 2018.
However, this strategy is not without its risks. If Toyota fails to deliver on its promise of quality cars, it could lose out on potential customers who are looking for reliable and affordable cars.
Why did Toyota’s Cars Fail in India?
It is no secret that Toyota cars have not been doing well in India. In fact, they have been failing miserably. There are several reasons for this, the most important of which are discussed below.
1. Lack of understanding of the Indian market: Toyota cars are designed keeping in mind the needs of developed countries like Japan and the United States. They simply do not suit the conditions prevailing in India. For instance, the roads here are not as smooth as they are in developed countries, and hence, a car that is comfortable to drive on such roads would not be suitable for Indian conditions.
2. Lack of diesel variants: Diesel cars are very popular in India due to their fuel efficiency. However, Toyota does not offer any diesel variants in India. This has put them at a disadvantage as compared to other brands such as Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai, who offer both petrol and diesel variants of their cars.
3. High prices: Toyota cars are priced much higher than their rivals in India. This is one of the main reasons why they have failed to make a mark in this market. Many potential customers simply cannot afford a Toyota car.
4. Poor after-sales service: Another reason why Toyota cars have failed in India is due to poor after-sales service. This has been a major issue with many customers who have had to face long waiting periods for spare parts and repairs.
5. Limited model range: Toyota offers a limited
The Future of Toyota in India
The future of Toyota in India is looking bright. The company has been making positive strides in the country and its products have been well-received by customers. Toyota is committed to furthering its investment in India and expanding its operations in the country. It plans to introduce new models, technologies, and services that will appeal to Indian consumers. Toyota is confident that it can succeed in India, where it has already established a strong presence.