The automobile industry in India incurred a Rs 4,000-crore loss between December and after the sale of diesel vehicles with a capacity of 2,000 cc and above in the Delhi-National Capital Region. This territory accounts for 10% of India's passenger vehicle sales and an even higher chunk of luxury vehicle purchases, according to Mint.
The president of the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers and managing director of Ashok Leyland, Vinod K Dasari, said, "We contribute so much to the economy, but it is unfortunate that everyone wants to regulate the auto industry...Courts ask to ban the vehicles that actually meet the Indian laws."
The Supreme Court on August 12 lifted the restriction on the registration of new diesel luxury cars and SUVs with an engine capacity of over 2,000 cc in Delhi-NCR, but it levied an additional tax of 1% of the vehicle's retail price as an environment fine. "Now, we need to rebuild our brand image with wide set of data. We need to educate the media and NGOs," Dasari said on Tuesday at a two-day conference organised by the Auto Component Manufacturers' Association.
The top court had first enforced the ban till March 31 in December 2015 and later extended it twice, in response to concerns raised about the worsening pollution in the capital. Delhi was ranked as the world's most polluted city in 2014 by the World Health Organisation.
Buy an annual Scroll Membership to support independent journalism and get special benefits.
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!