Toyota stops Camry Hybrid as sales drop due to GST

Production of the Toyota Camry Hybrid has been suspended due to the dwindling sales numbers of the premium sedan. The dip in sales is the result of the increased price tag thanks to the removal of sops for hybrids under the new GST ruling.

Thanks to the rebates under the FAME initiative, the Toyota Camry Hybrid was priced almost the same as its petrol counterpart. Due to minimal price difference and better fuel efficiency, the Hybrid constituted almost half of the Camry’s sales. Now that the taxation has been increased to 28 per cent from the previous 18 per cent and with an additional 15 per cent cess coming into play, the ex-showroom price of the Camry Hybrid has increased to almost Rs 38 lakhs from the Rs 32 lakhs price tag.

With the Indian government pushing for EVs, the hybrids are being taxed at par with regular cars. Toyota, who has already invested in the hybrid production line and also planned to invest in training its service staff, is now rethinking its strategy. With over 30 models in its hybrid portfolio, Toyota had planned to start with hybrids and eventually move on EVs.

The Camry has the ability to drive for a few kilometres on electric power only and hence should not be grouped with the poser hybrids like Maruti’s SHVS and Mahindra’s Intelli-Hybrid, the cars that had been taking advantage of the FAME initiative. Nonetheless, Toyota will continue selling the Camry with the conventional petrol engine and has a few hybrid cars in its inventory if you want to buy one immediately.