Toyota and Maruti Suzuki have joined forces to introduce hybrid cars in India, aiming to make this technology more accessible. Toyota recently launched the Innova Hycross hybrid, leading to significant waiting periods, sometimes exceeding a year. However, Toyota has ramped up production to meet the surging demand and aims to reduce waiting times to less than six months by year-end.

Over 50 percent of total sales are of hybrid variants, indicating strong consumer preference for these fuel-efficient and quiet vehicles. Sabari Manohar, Toyota India's group head of customer services, attributes this preference to the hybrid's impressive fuel efficiency and silent cabin experience, akin to an electric vehicle (EV).

Surprisingly, even fleet buyers are opting for the base-spec hybrid variant due to its excellent fuel economy, despite the higher initial cost. The hybrid's higher mileage allows fleet buyers to recover the premium through fuel savings, making it a more cost-effective choice in the long run.

Toyota faced challenges in meeting demand, temporarily halting bookings of the top two hybrid trims last April due to limited production capacity and semiconductor shortages. To address this, Toyota implemented a third shift at its plant, resulting in a 32 percent increase in capacity, with the majority allocated to hybrid production.

Despite the government's focus on EVs, hybrids are gaining traction due to their convenience, affordability, and existing infrastructure. With EV infrastructure still developing, consumers prioritize hybrids, considering sustainability alongside convenience and affordability.