TOKYO (AP) -- Toyota says it will begin exporting vehicles that it makes in India to South Africa, the first time the Japanese automaker is selling its made-in-India cars elsewhere.
Toyota Motor Corp. said Friday that the Indian-made Etios sedan will be exported to South Africa from March. It said the models for South Africa will be designed especially for that market.
Toyota has been hit hard by the global economic slowdown and the supplier disruptions caused by the March 11 tsunami and earthquake.
Japan's top automaker is counting on newer markets such as India to keep its vehicle production growth going.
Toyota has said annual production capacity in India will rise to 310,000 vehicles from the current 160,000 in 2013.