Lifting of diesel ban helps Toyota increase sales in September

Toyota sales for September 2016 have grown by six per cent. The Supreme Court's decision of allowing the fresh registration of high-end diesel cars and SUVs in Delhi and the National Capital Region has helped the manufacturer push its overall sales numbers.

Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) sold 12,067 vehicles last month including exports, while the carmaker's cumulative sales in September 2015 were 11,376 units. And, this is despite the fall in export numbers, which were 1,100 units last month as against 1,252 units in September 2015. So it’s the sale of vehicles in the domestic market that has helped boost their overall sales numbers.

Toyota sales increase by six per cent as diesel ban is lifted

Out of the total passenger vehicles sold in India, the number of diesel vehicles sold declined over the year due to the ban. In fact, the share of diesel vehicles in industry sales dropped by a substantial amount this fiscal year. The most affected automobile firms included Toyota Kirloskar Motors, Tata Motors, Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd. and Mercedes-Benz India. They had experienced a significant sales dent since last year. Now that the ban is lifted allowing fresh registration of these high-end diesel cars, the decision has come as a relief for them.

N. Raja, Director and Sr. Vice President, sales and marketing, Toyota Kirloskar Motor said, "The recently launched Innova Crysta has received an overwhelming response from the market including the Delhi and NCR region. Lifting of the ban has opened the order flow for Innova Crysta diesel vehicles in Delhi resulting to an average waiting period of 1.5 to 2months. We are trying our best to bring the waiting period down so as to serve our customers better."

Though Toyota has not given out a number, the new Innova Crysta's sales from Delhi and the National Capital Region should have helped boost the sales. This is where the cars were banned from being sold or registered earlier. Also the recent launch of the Platinum Etios and Liva should only bring good news for the manufacturer. We can only expect Toyota's sales numbers to further get a boost during this festive season.