Toyota kicks off work on new e-drive unit and its training arm’s expansion

“With an aim to promote local manufacturing of advanced technologies and upskilling, Toyota’s concerted efforts with the production of electrified parts, namely e-Drive and expansion of its training facility is remarkable. And I believe these initiatives will immensely contribute towards creating a global supply chain coupled with a great talent pool in India,” Union Heavy Industries Minister Mahendra Nath Pandey, who kicked off the two ambitious projects, said.

Skill Development minister CN Ashwath Narayan, Magadi MLA A Manjunath, Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKML) vice chairman Vikram Kirloskar, TKML managing director Masakazu Yoshimura and TKAP managing director KN Prasad were present on the occasion.

The TKML is expanding its training institution with capacity going up from 200 to 1,200 students (academic batch-wise). This will be a major boost to the existing skill facility at its Bidadi plant with a focus to scale-up students’ skill levels on advanced technology, by Toyota expert trainers, the company said in a press release.

TKM has trained more than 77,360 employable youths through various skill development initiatives, it added.

The TKAP’s proposed e-drive facility, as per its MoU with the Karnataka Government, will not only meet the domestic market requirements, but for the first time will also export back to Japan and to other countries.

“We believe that with the localization of e-drive, there will be a higher penetration of electrified mobility including strong hybrid electrified vehicles (SHEV) in the country. E-Drive is an Advanced Automotive Technology (AAT) with high-speed motor and is notified under the PLI (Production Linked Incentive) scheme,” the press release said.

“As the government of Karnataka is already aiming towards establishing Karnataka as the hub of global supply chain along with sustainable developments, we see Toyota playing a major role in realizing this vision,” Minister Ashwath Narayan said.

Vikram Kirloskar, the vice chairman at TKML, said their objectives were to usher large-scale investment to make deeper cuts in carbon emissions, higher employment generation, creating local manufacturing hub not only for domestic needs but also for global markets, local community development and advancement in innovation.