Toyota and Maruti Suzuki's Hybrid Push in Uttar Pradesh

Toyota and Maruti Suzuki are intensively marketing their hybrid cars in Uttar Pradesh, leveraging a tax waiver to boost sales. The waiver has caused tension in India's auto industry, with companies like Tata Motors and Hyundai concerned about their electric vehicle sales. With enhanced promotions, hybrid inquiries are rising.

Japanese automakers Toyota and Maruti Suzuki are ramping up marketing efforts for their hybrid cars in Uttar Pradesh, targeting the region with Instagram ads and telesales. The aim: to capitalize on tax waivers that enable significant savings for customers.

This move has stirred the Indian auto industry. Rivals like Tata Motors, Mahindra and Mahindra, and Hyundai argue that their electric vehicle sales will suffer. Their attempts to reverse the July tax waiver decision have failed, raising fears other states may follow Uttar Pradesh's lead.

The aggressive campaign reflects a rare lobbying win for Toyota. Their strategic focus on hybrids, which combine gasoline engines with batteries, seems prescient amid global concerns over electric vehicle charging infrastructure and costs.

(With inputs from agencies.)