The Hindu Business Line : Bookings for Qualis to be stopped from New Year

FROM the New Year, bookings for Qualis will be stopped indicating the end of the road for India's largest selling MPV even as Toyota readies itself to replace the vehicle with Innova early next year.

While the dealers confirmed that bookings for Qualis would be stopped, a detailed questionnaire sent to Toyota-Kirloskar a week ago did not elicit any response.

One of the dealers who did not wish to be named said orders already booked would be delivered on schedule. The dealer said even though bookings will be stopped from next year, owners of Qualis would continue to be offered the same level of service that they used to get. There will also be no problems in getting spare parts, and at some point of time Toyota could come out with an exchange offer for the existing Qualis owners to switch over to the new vehicle.

One of the dealers said Toyota would not sell its new MPV in the taxi segment for some time at least. He said it would be sold only for personal use. The new Innova is expected to be priced at Rs 8.5 lakh (ex-showroom) and will be launched by February-end.

Qualis, which redefined the multi-purpose segment when it was launched five years ago, reached a sales figure of 32,000 units during 2003-04 and between January and November this year a total of 33,184 units were sold, resulting in a growth of 20 per cent over the same period last year.

However, Qualis, which opened up the segment, saw newer players slowly eat into its share. Its market share dropped to 31 per cent in 2003-04 compared with 38 per cent in the previous year. The entry of newer players also saw the MPV segment post a growth of 40 per cent compared with 26 per cent in the passenger car segment though on a larger base during 2003-04.

Innova, the new vehicle from the Toyota stable, is considered to be more in the league of a crossover vehicle and is built on the IMV (international multi-purpose vehicle) platform.

A crossover combines the elements of a hatchback, an SUV and a minivan. Positioned as a lifestyle product, Innova has an aerodynamic body and its exterior design is far more stylish than Qualis. Its cabinet is more spacious and has a wooden panel dashboard and tilt leather steering wheel. It also has a flexible seat arrangement.

Sources connected with vehicle development in the company had earlier said Innova, launched in Indonesia couple of months ago, would be modified to suit Indian conditions. Toyota is investing around Rs 600 crore on the vehicle, which will be funded through internal accruals.

Qualis is, perhaps, the only vehicle in the country that is being phased out even though it holds the leadership position in its segment.