Visakhapatnam, October 2023.

Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) announced its participation in the Eastern Naval Fleet Drive 'The Eastern Arc,' organized by the Eastern Command of the Indian Navy Today, the fleet drive started-off to continue over the next 12  days, covering 17 cities and spanning a total distance of approximately 6000 kilometers, along two radial routes and groups, on the East Coast of India.

The flag-off ceremony of this important event was held at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam, in the gracious presence of  Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, Flag Officer Commanding in Chief Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Gurcharan Singh, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet alongside the TKM representative, Mr. Atul Sood, Vice President – Sales and Strategic Marketing. With a view to support the good cause of Indian Navy , TKM has extended necessary support with a fleet of seven vehicles including Four Hilux and Three Fortuner models, that will be utilized to traverse the challenging terrains and rugged off-road routes across various remote locations. This Eastern Naval Fleet Drive is set on its remarkable journey through the diverse and vibrant landscapes of India's eastern region, with the Toyota vehicles which is renowned for its unmatched performance, versatility, and off-roading capabilities.

The Eastern Naval Fleet Drive, aptly named 'The Eastern Arc,' holds significant importance as it aligns with the Indian Navy's outreach programs and activities, aimed at engaging with the civil populace. It also serves as a unique opportunity to raise awareness about the various roles and responsibilities of the Indian Navy. TKM has provided a fleet of seven vehicles, including four Hilux and three Fortuner vehicles, specially prepared and equipped to endure the challenging terrains and distances. The Eastern Naval Fleet Drive will be conducted in two groups – the Northern group and the Southern group, each consisting of three and four cars, respectively. Both groups will commence their journey from Visakhapatnam and follow separate routes, with the Northern group embarking on this endeavour from Visakhapatnam to Kibithoo and the Southern group setting course from Visakhapatnam to Kanyakumari, creating memorable stopovers along the way, contributing positively to the community development.

Needless to mention, known for Quality, Durability and Reliability (QDR) and unparalleled capabilities, Toyota Hilux and Fortuner have been chosen by the Indian Navy for tackling diverse landscapes enroute their fleet drive. The Hilux, with its ruggedness and powerful performance, exemplifies the unique product strengths, while on the other hand, the Fortuner is well recognised for its premium driving comfort, powerful performance, and with a perfect blend of sophistication and unmatched style the Fortuner compliments every journey with confidence be it on-road or off-road travel requirements.Together, they represent the values of endurance, performance, and resilience, which are deeply ingrained in Toyota’s world-class cars.

Earlier in July 2023, TKM handed over a fleet of Toyota Hilux, marking the company’s first-ever delivery of its Hilux to the Indian Army. Further, in Sep 2023, Toyota displayed two modified (with the support of an authorised external vendor)Hilux vehicles - Field Diagnosis Vehicle (FDV) & Rapid Intervention Vehicle (RIV) at the North Tech Symposium organised by Northern Command of Indian Army. In addition, another customised Hilux (with the support of an authorised external vendor)namely Forest Patrolling Vehicle (FPV), including FDV were showcased at the recently held East Tech 2023 (during Oct ’23), by Eastern Command of the Indian Army.

Commenting on the flag-off of the Eastern Naval Fleet Drive of Indian Navy, Mr. Atul Sood, Vice President – Sales and Strategic Marketing of Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said,“We are honoured to be an integral part of the Eastern Naval Fleet Drive 'The Eastern Arc,' which symbolizes deep values that resonates well with Toyota’s belief in contributing to the community development. This fleet drive serves as a unique platform for us to showcase the remarkable capabilities of our vehicles – Hilux & Fortuner, further supporting the Indian Navy's noble mission of community engagement and fostering awareness about the career opportunities that lies within its ranks.

At Toyota Kirloskar Motor, we have always been driven by a relentless pursuit of excellence, a commitment to quality, and a passion for innovation. These values are reflected in every vehicle we produce, and they have made Toyota one of the most trusted and respected automotive brands globally. As our vehicles embark on this important journey, traversing diverse terrains, covering extensive distances, and tackling challenging conditions with ease, we are confident ofcreating unforgettable experience.”

TKM believes in going the extra mile, and the association with India Navy through this fleet drive epitomizes such commitment to exceeding expectations, not only by providing its high-quality product but also its dedication to fostering community engagement and supporting endeavours that benefit society. Toyota is proud to be supporting the Indian Navy's initiative to connect with the people of the Eastern Coast. Together, they echo the sentiment, "No land too far, no beach too hard," as they embark on this remarkable journey, united in the commitment to the nation and its people.