2023 is the year when the new set of emission norms would be implemented in India. This is not a good news for many car manufacturers as this means tuning their existing models to meet the new norms. Making the car engine compliant to a new emission norm requires lot of investment from a car manufacturer and that in turn results in price hikes. Some manufacturers have already started increasing the prices. The new set of emission norms are known as Real Driving Emission (RDE) and it will be implemented across the country from 1st April next year. Some of the models that are currently available for sale in the market will be discontinued in 2023 and here we have a list of the same.
What are Real Driving Emission (RDE) norms?
Before we take a look at the list of cars that will be discontinued, let us know what RDE is. Real Driving Emission norms is actually described as a phase 2 of BS6 emission norms which was implemented back in 2020. As per the new norms a vehicle requires to have an on-board self-diagnostic device that will monitor real-time driving emission levels. The device will constantly monitor parts like catalyitc converter and oxygen sensors to ensure that they are meeting the emission standards. RDE test measures the pollutants such as Nitrogen Oxide emitted by vehicle in real-time instead of a laboratory.
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As part of making the car RDE compliant, manufacturers will have to upgrade the semiconductors to monitor throttle, crankshaft positions, air intake pressure, temperature of the engine, content of the emissions form exhaust and programmed fuel injectors to control the level of fuel burnt. Just like before, making these changes would make the overall cost of the car go up and diesel engines would be the most affected ones.
Mahindra
Mahindra is currently one of the biggest SUV manufacturer in the country. They have several blockbuster SUVs in their line-up including recently launched Scorpio N. However, there are some products in their portfolio that are outdated and are not doing great in terms of sales. It won’t make sense for Mahindra to invest more on such models. The models that Mahindra will be discontinuing in 2023 are Marazzo, Alturas G4 which is actually a rebadged Ssangyong Rexton and Mahindra KUV100.
Honda
Japanese car maker had officially announced earlier this year that they will be discontinuing some of their models from the market in 2023. Honda is discontinuing the diesel engine versions of the 5th generation Honda City and Honda Amaze compact sedan. The models like Honda Jazz, Honda WR-V and the fourth gen Honda City will also be discontinued from the market.
Skoda
Skoda will be discontiuing their popular sedan Octavia and Superb from the Indian market next year. The production for both these models are likely to end in February next year in India. As mentioned above, the RDE emission norms and the cost involved in the whole process is the reason behind this decision.
Nissan
Nissan Kicks is a mid size SUV but it has not been doing great in terms of sales since its launch. Nissan initially offered the SUV with both petrol and diesel engine options. Due to low sales, they discontinued the diesel engine. Later they even updated the petrol engine and even offered a turbo petrol version to attract buyers. Even that didn’t help. Updating the engine on Kicks to meet the new emission norms does not make sense to the manufacturer and they are most likely to discontinue the SUV.
Toyota
Toyota recently announced that they will continue to sell the Innova Crysta diesel alongside the all-new Innova Hycross which is only available with petrol engine option. The same however could not be said about the petrol version of Innova Crysta. Toyota is most likely to discontinue Innova Crysta petrol from the market as it would otherwise affect the sales of the new Innova Hycross.
Tata
Tata is also expected to discontinue the 1.5 litre diesel version of their premium hatchback Altroz from the market as upgrading the engine would increase the price of the hatchback.
Renault
Kwid became popular among Indian buyers because it was a decent looking car in a budget. With the new norms in place, the price of the car would go up. Renault is most likely to discontinue the Kwid 800 from the market. They might continue to offer the 1.0 litre petrol version.
Maruti Suzuki
Even India’s largest car manufacturer is planning to discontinue one of their model from the market. It is most likely to discontinue the Alto 800 from the market as making the engine on this car compliant with the new RDE norms would increase the price drastically.
Hyundai
Hyundai might also discontinue the diesel engine variants of i20 hatchback and Verna sedan from the market as part of the RDE or BS6 phase 2 transition next year.
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