GST Effect: Toyota Camry Hybrid Production Halted in India

Toyota Camry Hybrid was one among highly affected models with the implementation of GST. It will no longer be made on the production line of Toyota India. The increase of almost INR 6 lakh in its ex-showroom price forced buyers to move into another direction and Toyota was left with no other option.

Buying a Camry Hybrid at INR 37.22 lakh is not at all a good deal now as die hard Camry fans will prefer going for petrol version at INR 29.75 lakh. The drop of 73% in sales clearly hints that the new policy won’t work good for mild hybrids in India.

Another manufacturer that suffered partially from GST cess increase was Maruti Suzuki. As their Ciaz and Ertiga were counted in mild hybrids, the increase in price was somewhere close to INR 1.5 lakh for some models.

The production of Toyota Camry Hybrid was stopped by end September while drop in sales number for Ciaz was witnessed along with the rise of new Hyundai Verna and Honda City in that segment. Pure electric cars are offered with just 12 percent GST.

Toyota had specially invested INR 39 crore on the development and production of their once popular hybrid model. Presently, Indian government levies 48% GST on cars belonging to Camry segment. SUV’s are taxed even higher at 50% while mid-size cars fall in 45% GST bracket.

Mass market cars are taxed at 29% for petrol and 31% for diesel engines under 4 meter of length. 2017 Toyota Camry Hybrid was launched in India in Feb 2017 at INR 31.98 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). Camry rivals none other than Honda Accord in its segment. Accord Hybrid is priced at a much higher point and may soon receive the same fate as Camry Hybrid in India.