In an effort to reduce wait times for several of its well-known models, including the Innova Crysta and Fortuner, Toyota Kirloskar Motor has started a third shift at its Karnataka-based manufacturing.

In order to increase production capacity, the automaker started a third shift in Plant 1 in Bidadi, a suburb of Bengaluru, the first week of May.

The company has added over 1,500 workers for the third shift at the plant and spent over Rs 90 crore upgrading the facility's current infrastructure.

"We have commenced a third shift at the plant which produces models like Innova Crysta, Innova Hycross and Fortuner. These products have been quite successful and there is quite a long waiting period. We are trying to minimise the impact for the customers," TKM Senior Vice President and Chief Communication Officer Sudeep S Dalvi said.

He mentioned that the third shift required some modifications at the plant, which required a corporate downtime lasting about a week. "We have invested more than Rs 900 million in the plant capacity expansion," said Dalvi.

He stated that the factory would be able to generate 30% more during the third shift than it is currently able to. TKM wants to increase production at the plant, which presently turns out close to 1 lakh units annually, to over 30,000 units annually.

Within the boundaries of the Bidadi property, the automaker has two plants that produce several product lines. Innova Hycross, Innova Crysta, Fortuner, and Legender are being produced at TKM's Plant 1 since it began operations in December 1999.

The Bidadi facility also assembles items like the Hilux and Camry Hybrid. It currently has a 3.10 lakh unit annual production capacity for TKM.

Dalvi emphasized that the current capacity enhancement program does not apply to activities at its second factory, which produces goods like the Hyryder and Grand Vitara.

Due to continued supply issues, TKM made the decision in April to temporarily cease bookings for the highest trims of its multipurpose vehicle, the Innova Hycross, beginning on April 8.

Due to overwhelming demand and a longer wait time, it also stopped taking orders for the Innova Crysta's diesel version last year.

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