Toyota Kirloskar drives in first mass-market hybrid car in India

Japanese carmakers taking the hybrid route for cleaner mobility in India

In tow with Japanese carmakers’ preference for hybrid vehicles as part of their anti-pollution drive, Toyota Kirloskar Motor on Friday unveiled the Urban Cruiser Hyryder SUV, its first mass market hybrid car in India.

“We have three challenges -- pollution, crude oil import, which is leading to a trade deficit, and increasing fuel charges. To tackle them, self-charging string hybrid electric vehicles are a practical solution for the country,” said Venugopal P B, vice-president, Toyota Kirloskar Motor.

Japanese automakers’ stress on hybrids stands distinct from the government’s heavy push for full electric vehicles. Auto majors such as Maruti Suzuki, Toyota