Pre-buying of diesel vehicles ahead of BS-VI implementation may help arrest sales decline: TKM

Toyota Kirloskar Motor expects pre-buying of diesel vehicles later this year ahead of the implementation of BS-VI emission norms in April 2020 to help arrest the ongoing decline in sales, according to a senior company official.

With prices of diesel vehicles expected to increase in the range of 15-20 per cent due to BS-VI compliance, the company is looking to tap advanced purchases by fleet operators and shared mobility players.

When compared to petrol, diesel vehicles involve more technologies to control particulate matter to meet BS-VI norms, which means there will be 15-20 per cent increase in prices of diesel products, Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) Deputy Managing Director N Raja told PTI.

"Considering this, we expect the market to become better during the transition. People may be happier to pick up BS-IV cars than wait for BS-VI," he added.

Citing the company's example, he said while final pricing details are yet to be worked out across TKM's product range, there could be a price