Latest Car News in India

Toyota Fortuner 2.5L, Camry Hybrid launch in trouble

It seems that the shillyshally by the government will mar the auto industry in India. Already the petrol price hike had devastated sales of some of the most popular cars such as Maruti Alto, Honda City and Hyundai Santro besides other petrol cars now that the government is thinking, thinking and thinking and not coming out with a decision will mar the diesel cars as well. Notably, the government mulls over to put additional tax on diesel cars following which diesel cars will become more costlier than the petrol cars. Already the diesel cars are around Rs 80,000 to Rs 1 lakh costlier than petrol cars. This is done to meet the gap between the differential pricing of petrol and diesel. Also, this measure is supposed to dissuade people from using the subsidized fuel.

The clear effect of the dillydally by the government can also be seen on Toyota cars. It is believed that Toyota will not be bringing the under powered diesel motor based Toyota Fortuner in India as it would be of no use if diesel car invite high taxation. Also reports are in that the future of Toyota Camry Hybrid’s entry in India is also in murky, all because of the no decision on the incentive package for electric and hybrid cars in India.

Toyota currently sells Toyota Fortuner in the 3 L diesel engine option while the Innova and Fortuner are sold in 2.5 L diesel engine avatar in some of the markets such as Thailand. Soon it will be launched in the Malaysian market as well. Though the option to bring in the 2.5 L engine powered Fortuner in India is far conducive for the car maker but there is no such demand for that version in the country. However, experts believe that since the 2.5 l version will be a downgraded version it will also be priced less than the present generation Fortuner and thus there could be a rise in demand for the Toyota SUV.