NCR diesel ban: Toyota hopeful of recommencing sales following next Supreme Court hearing

Toyota India launched an all-new generation of the Innova (labelled Innova Crysta) yesterday in what can only be deemed as a low-key event. Instead of consolidating the media and showing them their all-important model under the shimmering lights (which is usually the case), the brand simply issued an official statement complete with the ex-showroom prices and the details of the car.

A major player in the National Capital Region (NCR), Toyota India is among the worse-affected automakers due to the ongoing ban on registration of new diesel vehicles with engine capacity of over 2000cc. The ban, which was first imposed on December 16, 2015, until March 31, was later pushed to April 30, 2016, in a bid to curb the air pollution in the NCR.

The Supreme Court, however, isn’t likely to lift the ban anytime soon. As per the latest hearing held on April 30, the court has extended the prohibition till the next hearing that is scheduled on May 9.

As one would expect, the ban has left many mainstream manufacturers in huge trouble with regards to sales efforts. While brands like Mahindra seem to have found a way out by introducing downsized engines for their range to make them applicable for sale in the NCR, Toyota India is yet to counter the ban which has ultimately terminated sales of the Fortuner and the Innova. This also explains why the new Innova Crysta will not be launched in the NCR for now.

Nevertheless, Toyota India is hopeful that the Supreme Court will lift the ban in the next hearing of 9th May. More importantly, with the ban duration now well into the fourth month, it remains to be seen as to how the Supreme Court plans to take it forward. Until then, take a look at what we think are the ideal alternatives for the 2-litre-plus diesel vehicles by clicking here.