Toyota begins third-shift operations at its Karnataka plant to boost production capacity

Toyota Kirloskar Motor has started third-shift operations at its Bidadi manufacturing facility in Karnataka from May 2023. This move aims to increase production capacity and reduce waiting times for its entire range of cars. Notably. the third-shift operations will raise the Bidadi plant's production capacity by 30 per cent. As a result, we expect the new shift to reduce waiting periods of the cars, such as the Innova Crysta, Innova Hycross, Fortuner, and even the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, which Toyota manufactures at its facility.

Toyota begins new shift at Bidadi plant

To support the third-shift operations, Toyota has said to have invested Rs 90 crore to upgrade the plant's infrastructure. Additionally, the company has hired an additional 25 percent of employees, including a larger workforce from the Toyota Technical Training Institute (TTTI), which is located at the Bidadi plant. The TTTI provides technical education and aims to enhance students' advanced technology skills with the help of Toyota's certified trainers from around the world. Meanwhile, the capacity of TTTI was also increased from 200 to 1,200 students in 2022.

As part of Toyota's commitment to the Toyota Environmental Challenge (TEC) 2050 and 'Plant Zero CO2 Emissions Challenge,' the company has adopted usage of renewable energy sources. The third-shift operations at the Bidadi plant are also powered by 100 percent renewable energy.

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara and Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Regarding production, it should be noted that both Maruti Suzuki and Toyota manufacture their respective SUVs, the Grand Vitara and the Urban Cruiser Hyryder, at the Toyota Kirloskar Motor's Bidadi plant. The SUVs share similarities in terms of platform, engine options, and features.

The prices of the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder start from Rs 10.73 lakh (ex-showroom) and go up to Rs 19.74 lakh (ex-showroom). On the other hand, the prices of the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara range from Rs 10.70 lakh (ex-showroom) to Rs 19.95 lakh (ex-showroom).

Toyota sales

In April 2023, Toyota Kirloskar Motor witnessed a six per cent decline in domestic sales, with 14,162 units sold compared to 15,086 units in the corresponding period of 2022. However, the company experienced strong sales growth in the first four months of the current calendar year, with a 26 per cent increase and 61,005 units sold. This figure surpasses the sales of 48,278 units in the same period of the previous year. Toyota also exported 1,348 units of the Urban Cruiser Hyryder in the previous month.

Speaking on the announcement, Sudeep Dalvi, SVP and CCO, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, "We are extremely thrilled to see the market responding very positively to our entire product line-up. As we remain optimistic about the market, our 'customer first' philosophy will continue to manifest across all our business decisions – one of which is the start of the third-shift operation which is a testimony to the overwhelming response received by our offerings thus enabling us to meet the delivery commitments to our customers."

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