Toyota Kirloskar Motors (TKM) has decided to extend the battery warranty of their Self-Charging Hybrid Electric Vehicles (SHEVs) to 8 years in India. At present, they have 2 SHEVs in India, the Camry and Vellfire. The existing warranty period is 3-year or 1,00,000 kilometres, which is now pushed to 8-years or 1,60,000 kilometres (whichever comes first). 

This decision comes on the occasion of World Nature Conservation Day and the brand’s commitment towards carbon neutrality by 2050. 

The new change will come to effect from August 1 2021. For all the customers who have made the purchase of Camry or Vellfire hybrids in January 2019 and onwards, the company will offer the extended warranty at a special price. This is the longest hybrid battery warranty provided by any carmaker in the industry and is made available to all owners of Toyota SHEVs. 

V.Wiseline Sigamani, Associate General Manager (AGM), Sales and Strategic Marketing, Toyota Kirloskar Motor said, ”Toyota has been at the forefront of global vehicle electrification for more than two decades now. In India too, TKM was among the first automakers to introduce SHEVs in the market. SHEVs which have both petrol and electric powertrain, are extremely environment friendly while requiring no behavioural changes at the customer’s end. 

With customers being the first priority, Toyota has been unceasingly striving to offer diverse service schemes. Through the longer battery warranty, which is the most comprehensive coverage in the market today, we continue to bring many smiles and peace of mind to customers buying a hybrid electric vehicle and enhancing the momentum of vehicle electrification in the country.” he concluded. 

Toyota SHEVs offered in India 

The Toyota Vellfires is a luxury MPV that comes as a completely built unit (CBU) to India. This puts a high price tag of Rs. 89.9 lakh (ex-showroom). A 2.5L 4-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine powers the Vellfire which makes a total of 115Bhp and 198Nm of torque. This is mated to two electric motors, one on the front and one on the rear axle. The ICE works in conjunction with the 143hp front axle motor and the 68hp rear axle motor is kicked in by an ECU only when necessary. 

The Camry on the other hand is a luxury Sedan offered as a CBU similar to the Vellfire. The sedan is powered by the same 2.5L 4-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol motor but makes 178bhp instead. The electric motor makes an additional 120bhp but the combined output of the sedan is 218bhp. The Camry hybrid is priced at Rs. 40.6lakh (ex-showroom) and takes on the Skoda Superb. 

Toyota future plans

Toyota is rumoured to be working on a mid-size SUV with Maruti Suzuki which is expected to make its debut in 2022-23. But the joint venture with Maruti Suzuki on launching their cars under Toyota badging and a different nameplate is going well. In fact, Toyota is ready to launch the Belta anytime soon, the Ciaz counterpart. They also have plans on introducing an affordable MPV based on the Ertiga. 

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