Toyota Dealership in Kolkata Host Exciting Motorsport Activities to Popularize its Etios Motor Racin

March 3, 2012 - PRLog -- Etios Motor Racing (EMR) was introduced at the Auto Expo 2012 in Delhi
•   Concept racing cars are displayed this weekend at the Toyota dealership in Kolkata – Topsel Toyota
•   2012 to see a whole lot of motorsport activities by TKM to popularize EMR
•   Toyota Racing Development(TRD) to support the activities
•   EMR Trophy’s series of races to start in 2013

Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt. Ltd. (TKM) today unveiled the concept cars of its upcoming Etios Motor Racing (EMR) Trophy along with exciting motorsport activities in Topsel Toyota, Kolkata. This new venture is in line with its global philosophy of introducing ‘WAKU DOKI’, which in Japanese means ‘excitement, joy and fun.’
Commenting on Toyota’s entry into motorsport in India, Mr. Hitoshi Fukui, Managing Coordinator-Marketing, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said “Globally, Toyota aims to continually renovate itself for sustainable growth of the brand. And here in India, we have decided to start motorsports to reiterate our commitment to our customers and to provide an opportunity of ‘WAKU DOKI’ through our brand. We are also glad as our global racing partners, Toyota Racing Development have joined us in this endeavor”.  
Showcased at the Delhi Auto Expo 2012 earlier this year, the new sporty avatar of the Etios will re-emphasize Toyota’s efforts to reach out to the younger target group through the Etios Brand, and more importantly take motorsports closer to its customers and the youth of the country. The EMR concept cars will be touring 14 cities and 24 TKM dealerships across the country, for around four months.
Apart from the EMR concept cars on display, there was a host of motorsport based activities for all age groups visiting the dealership. Relevantly themed games like racing simulators and remote controlled cars on race tracks were installed to enthrall motorsport enthusiasts. Children who accompanied their parents were given a crash course in basic automobile technology in a zone called the ‘Children’s Automotive Learning Area’, apart from other fun contests and activities.  
This year will be dedicated to popularizing the EMR brand. Apart from the dealership activations, there will be exhibition races, roadshows and a whole lot of activities lined up before the actual races start next year.


About Etios Motor Racing (EMR)
Continuing the Company’s global legacy of motorsports, the EMR tourney will be supported by one of the most accomplished and acclaimed companies in motorsport history – TRD (Toyota Racing Development), the corporate brands from the Toyota affiliate, Toyota Technocraft Co. Ltd.
The EMR Trophy series that is slated to be held in 2013 will be based on a one-make racing championship platform. The cars will be FIA qualified with racing parts supplied by TRD, and their technical expertise will be utilized throughout the series. Toyota will also partner and work closely with Indian motorsport experts such as Red Rooster Racing (International) Pvt., Ltd. based in Bangalore to better understand the needs of the sport and work towards popularizing it.    
The Etios racing platform will help talented young racers develop their skills, and further train them to gain a competitive edge for their future in motorsports. They will be mentored by experts in the field, and will be given an opportunity to compete among the best in the country. This series will not only highlight the technological prowess of the manufacturer, but also the endurance levels of the Etios and the ‘fun to drive’ aspect of the vehicle.
Driver Selection
1.   Online application were open for over a month and the response was a record number, 3130 registrations
2.   Rigorous EMR camps will be conducted between March and June, 2012 to shortlist the drivers and arrive at the final driver line-up
The selected applicants will go through simulator evaluation rounds and go-kart selection rounds to begin with, and then graduate to driving the Etios Motor Racing cars along with in-depth lectures as part of the training process. All the training will be conducted by professional drivers and instructors from Toyota and local racing experts. The study material will be a combination of what is used in Japan and what is required by FMSCI to ensure the drivers are trained to international standards.
Mr. R K Ramesh, General Manager, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, “We introduced Etios Motor Racing in India earlier this year as our effort to enhance Etios brand values such as fun, passion, youthfulness and advanced technology. We are therefore very happy with the response received for the EMR driver selection programme, and will train these young racing aspirants from India, molding them into world-class motorsport champions.”


Overview of TKM:
Company name   Toyota Kirloskar Motor Private Limited
Managing Director   Hiroshi Nakagawa
Equity participation   TMC: 89%, Kirloskar group: 11%
Number of employees   Approx. 6,000 +
Land area   Aprox. 432 acres (approx.1,700,000 m2)
Building area   74,000 m2

Overview of TKM 1st Plant
Established   October 1997 (start of production: December 1999)
Location   Suburb of Bangalore, Karnataka State
Products   Innova, Fortuner manufactured in India.
Camry, Prado, Land Cruiser and Prius imported as CBUs.
Annual production capacity   Approx. 90,000 units

Overview of TKM 2nd Plant
Location   On the site of Toyota Kirloskar Motor Private Limited (on the outskirts of Bangalore, Karnataka State)
Products   Corolla Altis, Etios, Etios Liva (Petrol & Diesel)
Start of production   December 2010
Annual production capacity   1,20,000 units

# # #

Based on resident knowledge and experiences, Buzz Communications develop a market by market strategy to deliver locally relevant messages to news outlets.