End of an Era: 9 Cars and SUVs That got Discontinued in India in 2023

The implementation of the BS6 2.0 emissions norms, also known as the RDE norms, marked a significant turning point in the automotive landscape of India in 2023. The stringent regulations led to the discontinuation of several cars and SUVs, reshaping the market dynamics. In this overview, we see the vehicles that bid farewell to the Indian roads, exploring the reasons behind their discontinuation.

1. Maruti Suzuki Alto 800

In a historic move, Maruti Suzuki bid farewell to its iconic model, the Alto 800. This marked the end of the road for the legendary 3-cylinder, 796cc petrol engine (codenamed F8D) that had been a stalwart for four decades. The decision was driven by the introduction of the newer Alto K10 in August 2022, leading to a consolidation of the Alto lineup. Maruti streamlined its offerings by focusing solely on the K10 model, discontinuing the 800cc engine due to its low demand and absence in other models.

2. Mahindra KUV100 NXT

Mahindra's compact offering, the KUV100 NXT, faced the axe as it struggled to justify its presence in the market. With a sole petrol powertrain option and minimal upgrades over the years, the KUV100 NXT failed to align with the stricter emissions norms. The model's discontinuation reflected Mahindra's strategic decision to prioritize models with greater market relevance.

3. Honda Jazz, City Gen 4, and WR-V

Honda, facing the brunt of the RDE norms, discontinued three of its models – the Jazz, City Gen-4, and WR-V. The City Gen-4 reached the end of its lifecycle, making way for the newer City Gen-5. The Jazz, on an extended lifecycle, faced challenges with the fourth-gen model not making it to India. The WR-V, in a fiercely competitive compact SUV segment, was replaced by the larger and more premium Elevate, while Honda's diesel engines met their demise in India.

4. Nissan Kicks

Nissan took the bold step of discontinuing the Kicks midsize SUV ahead of the RDE norms. Despite being introduced as a competitor to popular models like the Creta, the Kicks failed to gain traction in terms of sales. A lack of updates and newer rivals entering the segment contributed to its decline. Nissan now survives in India solely with the Magnite.

5. Skoda Superb and Octavia

Skoda phased out both the Superb and Octavia, sharing a 190hp, 2.0-litre petrol engine. The dwindling interest in the executive sedan segment, coupled with modest sales figures, led to the decision. While talks of a revived Octavia in RS guise with a plug-in hybrid powertrain circulated, the Superb is expected to make a temporary return as a CBU with an updated engine before the launch of the fourth-gen model.

6. Kia Carnival

The Kia Carnival, a luxurious MPV, faced discontinuation as early as June, with dealers halting fresh orders in April. The move was in anticipation of the RDE norms, and the model was removed from the carmaker's website. However, Kia plans to introduce an all-new generation of the Carnival in the second half of 2024, aligning the India-spec model with international standards and bringing a significant upgrade in size and premium features.

Also Read: Car Brand Models that passed the GNCAP crash test successfully in 2023

Verdict

2023 witnessed a wave of discontinuations, reshaping the automotive landscape in India as manufacturers adapted to the challenges posed by the stringent RDE norms.