The Indus Motor Company (IMC), assembler of Toyota vehicles in Pakistan, takes a bold step to counter increasing fuel prices in the country by planning to launch Corolla Cross Hybrid vehicles by end of December or start of January next year.
This launch is considered to be a strategic move by the company to bounce back amid diminishing car demand and increasing fuel prices.
Ali Asghar Jamali, CEO IMC, said in a press briefing that the new Corolla Cross is likely to consume 50% less fuel than its conventional counterparts running on diesel and petrol.
He further said that the hybrid technology will significantly cut the import bill and help save around $37 million on 30,000 hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) units.
Jamali said, “This move towards HEVs is a sustainable solution to Pakistan’s economic challenges, addressing macroeconomic objectives, bolstering employment, increasing exports, and trimming imports.”
Toyota Corolla Cross is going to be Pakistan’s first ever locally assembled HEV SUV vehicle. The company has already invested $100 million in introducing HEV cars in the country.
In addition to fuel consumption, the HEV vehicles are also ideal in reducing carbon footprints.
Jamali added, “Pakistan is acutely affected by climate change, necessitating comprehensive measures across all sectors.”
Jamali is looking at the sale of around 6,000 units per month initially, however, he is hopeful that the demand will further increase with time as the economy stabilizes.
