Toyota ends sales of 7‑seat SUV in key global market
Category: Industry News
Tags: Toyota, Fortuner, SUV, Hybrid Strategy, Global Markets
Meta Description: Toyota halts sales of its 7‑seat SUV in a major market as the automaker shifts focus to hybrid and compact vehicles.
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Toyota has ended sales of one of its best‑known 7‑seat SUVs in a key global market, marking a product strategy transition toward hybrids and compact models.===
Background: Toyota ends 7‑seat SUV sales in major market
Toyota Motor Corp. has confirmed it will discontinue sales of the seven‑seat Fortuner SUV in India, ending production of the diesel and petrol variants in early 2025. The move follows tightening emissions standards and changing market demand, according to Reuters and a statement from Toyota Kirloskar Motor.
The Fortuner, based on Toyota’s IMV platform, has been a leading utility vehicle in several regions, including Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America. In India, however, sales declined as consumer demand shifted toward smaller hybrids and electric crossovers, Automotive News reported.
Key model data:
- Model: Toyota Fortuner
- Class: Body‑on‑frame, 7‑seat SUV
- Engines: 2.7‑liter petrol, 2.8‑liter turbodiesel
- Platform: IMV architecture (shared with Hilux pickup)
- Market phase‑out: Expected by mid‑2025
Strategy shift: focus moves to compact and hybrid models
Toyota officials said the decision aligns with the company’s broader transition toward electrified powertrains. The automaker plans to increase local production of hybrid vehicles such as the Urban Cruiser Hyryder and the upcoming Corolla Cross hybrid for India and emerging markets.
Analysts note that the Fortuner’s price segment increasingly overlaps with global mid‑size hybrid SUVs, which offer lower emissions and competitive performance. Toyota aims for 50% of its Indian sales to be hybrids by 2030, according to Bloomberg.
The company continues to sell the Fortuner in other regions, including Australia and Southeast Asia, where demand for diesel utility models remains strong.
With the Fortuner’s discontinuation, Toyota reinforces its pivot toward hybrid and compact models in line with new emission and efficiency mandates. Further details are expected from Toyota Kirloskar Motor’s 2025 product strategy update.===