No new Toyota cars to be launched in 2017

Toyota has declared that it won’t be launching any new cars in India this year. The Japanese manufacturer would rather utilise this time to comprehend the upcoming GST bill and its implications on the organisation and its dealers. Furthermore, it longs to devise strategies for a linear transition from BS4 to BS6 compliant vehicles on time or before the given deadline of 1st April 2020.

The Japanese giant has slammed media reports of the possible, upcoming launch of its Vios sedan in India this year. However, the company is certain of showcasing some new products at the 2018 Auto Expo. According to Toyota, India is getting ready for hybrids and electric vehicles, but at a slow pace. At the moment, the firm doesn’t plan to flood the market with new products, which happens to be their next medium term goal. They are certain to launch new products later, but nothing for this year.

Meanwhile, the manufacturer awaits further clarification on the vague deadline given for BS6 emission norms and its repercussions. According to a Toyota spokesperson, the Government is very confident of bringing BS6 compliant fuel by April 2020 but the automotive industry would need this oil resource much earlier in order to test their cars with the same if the former wants them to meet the deadline.

Deadlines and adhering to the Government norms, these are two areas where Toyota as a firm has always been very punctual. The Japanese automaker was early to introduce petrol versions for their top-selling products like the Innova Crysta and Fortuner at the time of the diesel ban crisis in the National Capital Region, although the petrol versions of the Innova Crysta and Fortuner account for just 5 and 2 percent of their total sales respectively.

Further substantiating on the given statement, Toyota has also been one of the few companies to manufacture BS4 compliant vehicles since 2010. Even as of 2016, the entire Toyota stable in India is BS4 compliant, just like other manufacturers. The company seems positive and is already on its way to the adoption of BS6 norms before deadlines as the current-gen Toyota Camry Hybrid meets BS6 emission norms already.