Etios, Liva models to be recalled by Toyota in India to replace faulty pipe

BANGALORE: Famous Japanese auto major Toyota, has decided to recall 41,000 units of its sedan Etios and small car Liva in the country with the aim to replace faulty inlet pipe to fuel tank.

The firm, which is present in India via a joint venture with the Kirloskar Group -- Toyota Kirloskar Motor, has said that this is not a recall but rather a safety campaign.

Mr Sandeep Singh, Deputy Managing Director – Marketing, said, “It is a proactive approach by us. This development is not at all dangerous but as per Toyota's worldwide policy, we are informing customers that they can come to dealers at their convenient time and replace the pipe.”

The firm will be replacing filler hose (inlet pipe to the fuel tank) since it can crack up leading to fuel leakage when the tank is filled to the brim. Net total 41,000 units of Etios and Liva manufactured until October 8 this year since their introductions will be covered under this exercise.

In December last year, TKM had unveiled the Etios sedan in India priced in the range of Rs 4.96 lakh and Rs 6.86 lakh.

In June this year, the firm has unveiled its small car Liva, priced between Rs 3.99 lakh and Rs 5.99 lakh TKM has said that it is making use of the social media like Facebook and the firm's own website to inform customers about the development.

In 2008, Toyota had declared recall of almost 20,000 units of its popular multi-utility vehicle, Innova, in India to repair the defective part that could lead to oil leakage. The auto company has invested Rs 3,200 crore to establish its second manufacturing facility in Bangalore, where the cars are being produced.

The company has decided to invest Rs 1,650 crore to raise its production capacity by one-lakh units and for surging localisation of components by 2014. In October this year, the firm had revealed its plans to commence exports of the two models to South Africa by March next year.