Toyota Corolla Altis And Etios Range Leaves Indian Market
Toyota stopped making the Corolla Altis and Etios models at the start of 2020. Engines of these models were not updated to meet BS6 emission norms. Corolla Altis was offered with 1.8-litre petrol and 1.4-litre diesel engines. Etios range consisted of Liva and Cross hatchbacks, and Platinum sedan. The Etios models were offered with 1.2-litre petrol, 1.5-litre petrol and 1.4-litre diesel engines.
The shift to more stringent BS6 norms has witnessed the exit of many two-wheelers and four-wheelers. The additional costs of making the vehicles BS6 compliant have resulted in manufacturers discontinuing a lot of vehicles from their portfolio. Not so good sales number has also factored in on this decision. Toyota too, recently announced that they are stopping the sales of the Etios sedan, the Liva hatchback, the Etios Cross hatchback, and the Corolla sedan in the Indian market.
The Etios range had a good run for Toyota and the sedan was particularly popular among fleet owners. But as the competition caught up and the new BS6 emission norms closing in, Toyota decided to call off the entire Etios range altogether. It all started back in 2010 when Toyota first unveiled the Etios sedan and launched it later in the same year. The sedan was followed by the Liva hatchback back in mid-2011 and come 2015, they also launched the Etios cross. All the cars combined together dished out 4,48,500 units of the Etios range in India until the end of its life-cycle.
All the above mentioned engines have not been updated to meet the stricter BS6 emission norms. Toyota is unlikely to replace the Etios range of mass market models and let the Glanza be its entry-level offering in India. However, there is no official word if one of the world’s best selling models, the Toyota Corolla, will return to the Indian market at a later date.
The Corolla Altis was available with a 1.8-litre petrol engine and a 1.4-litre diesel engine. The petrol engine was tuned to produce 140PS and 173Nm whie mated to a 6-speed manual with the choice of a CVT automatic. Meanwhile the diesel engine had an output of 88PS and 205Nm and was only offered with a 6-speed manual. It was priced from Rs 14.83 lakh to Rs 20.19 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).
Toyota has also discontinued the more premium Corolla Altis sedan in India. The Corolla Altis too had a good run in the Indian market. The India junta loved it for its no-nonsense character, practicality and comfort. The executive sedan segment to which the Corolla Altis belonged to has seen some new entries in the past few years and the Corolla Altis found it hard to stay relevant. With the Toyota Corolla Altis making an exit, the only options available in the executive sedan segment are the Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra and the Skoda Octavia.
Speaking on the occasion Naveen Soni, Senior Vice President, Sales and Service, Toyota Kirloskar Motor said, “The month of March 2020 witnessed the last batch production of the Etios series as well as the Corolla Altis, bringing an end to the iconic journeys both the models have enjoyed in India. A true representation of Toyota’s philosophy of offering Quality, Durability and Reliability, the launch of Etios in India was a significant landmark for us. Similarly, Corolla Altis also carved a niche for itself in the sedan segment. Both the models celebrated a successful run in the Indian market and it reflects in their sales performance.”
There is a new-gen Corolla Altis on sale in international markets but Toyota may not bring it to India given the lack of demand for sedans as compared to SUVs and MPVs. The mid-size sedan went up against the Hyundai Elantra, Honda Civic and the Skoda Octavia in the country.
