The company said it had captured a marketshare of 35 per cent in the Indian multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) segement, selling more than 21,785 vehicles, which exceeds the yearly target by 1,785 vehicles.

The company has unveiled a special limited edition of Qualis to commemorate its first anniversary. This comes in solid black with an exclusive gold stripe. It also has a gold Toyota emblem on the front grille, white alloy wheels and snazzy protective moulding along the sides to distinguish it from any other Qualis. Only 1,000 vehicles of this edition will be produced and will be priced at around Rs 8 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

Though the automobile industry is passing through a recessionary phase, Toyota sales in December was around 2,452 compared to 1,820 vehicles in the previous months.

The company has developed an exclusive dealer network comprising 27 dealers all over India, and plans to increase it to 45 by 2001-end. Production unit at its Bangalore plant is to be raised to 50,000 units by 2003.

As a part of the implementation of key marketing strategies, the company has targetted the rural and semi-urban sector of the country.

According to TKM general manager (marketing) Sandeep Singh: "Qualis is poised in a category all to itself having set new benchmarks for quality, reliability and performance.

Qualis is not only targetted at families but also at tourists. The urban market is suffocated, and thus we are laying more stress on the rural and semi-urban parts in India."

Qualis has a marketshare of around 38 per cent in the south and 30 per cent in the north and west. On account of its late launch, the marketshare in the east is slightly low. "We are putting effort to set up more satellite workshops and retail shops. Toyota being a pioneer in the automobile industry is committed to contribute superior products and service with a wide range of mew cars in various segments in the Indian market," said Mr Singh. "But at present we are waiting for the new automobile policy to be declared by the government of India," he added.