Toyota India Stops Manufacturing BS-III Vehicles

The auto industry is gearing up to stop producing BS-III compliant vehicles from April 1, 2017, although there seems to be some noise around the pollution board banning Euro III vehicles from April 1

Updated: Tuesday, February 7, 2017, 17:29 [IST]

Toyota Kirloskar Motor has stopped manufacturing Bharat Stage III vehicles much ahead of April 1, 2017, deadline. The Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) is banning Euro-III or BS-III vehicles from being manufactured in an effort to reduce the carbon imprint of the automobile industry.

Toyota Kirloskar Motor Stops Manufacturing BS-III Vehicles

The Japanese company said that it has stopped manufacturing BS-III "more than a year ago and they believe in providing state of the art technology through our vehicles in our country's fight against pollution. All our vehicles currently being sold in India are BS IV compliant.

The company further added that "further in line with Government of India planning, we are readying to introduce BS VI fuel compliant vehicles as soon as such fuel is available across the country."

The auto industry has not been very happy about the ban by EPCA saying that there would a massive stockpile of nine lakh vehicles in April 2017 when BS-III is phased out.

Auto Industry body Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) has informed the pollution control board that BS-III vehicles of 20,000 passenger vehicles, 75,000 commercial vehicles, 47,000 three-wheelers and about 7,50,000 two-wheelers will remain unsold as of April 1, 2017.

There has been an increase in demand for commercial vehicles as customers pre-purchase discounted BS-III trucks prior to the April 1 deadline. Many of the auto experts believe the sales of commercial vehicles will flatten post the deadline.

Toyota in India sells, Etios Liva hatchback, Etios platinum sedan, Innova Crysta MPV, Fortuner SUV, premium sedans Corolla Altis and Camry and top of the line SUVs Land Cruisers.