New safety norms are pushing most sought-after cars off roads

Mumbai: The retinue of cars, including Maruti's Omni, Tata's Nano etc, which were loved by a number of people, will be taken off the market as the production of these models is likely to be stopped. The shutdown of production has been planned because of the coming of safety and BS-VI emission norms which will take effect in the next two years. The regulations are aimed at bringing down the emission level of carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxides in the country.

The emission norms will take effect by April 2020 which is when the Omni and the Punto models will see their end because of the absence of BS VI engines, whereas it is expected that Nano and E20 will bid goodbye by April 2019. According to experts, if Nissan Terrano, Fiat Linea and Volkswagen Ameo do not come up with new engines and extensive structural change then they are likely to go off the market as well.

Maruti Suzuki Omni which has been in the market since 1984 and has been the best-selling van in India will not be produced anymore. Other than that, Tata Nano — billed to be the cheapest car for the people — will be joining the queue and Mahindra E20, India's only electric car, and Fiat Punto will go off the shelves too. On the other hand, the production of Hyundai Eon and Honda Brio has already been stopped. Gypsy, the car that has been the choice for India's military and security services and was popular because of its design, is also on the list.

The emission norms will take effect by April 2020 which is when the Omni and the Punto models will see their end because of the absence of BS VI engines, whereas it is expected that Nano and E20 will bid goodbye by April 2019. According to experts, if Nissan Terrano, Fiat Linea and Volkswagen Ameo do not come up with new engines and extensive structural change then they are likely to go off the market as well.

As of now, only Maruti Suzuki chairman RC Bhargava has confirmed the end of Omni vans, whereas Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) declined to say which model's production would be stopped. Leaving the decision on the company, Tata motors said, "The production planning of a car is a conscious management of demand, system inventory and planned efficiencies." Mahindra Motors said that the company will be rationalising its portfolio and some models will be phased out but did not confirm ending the E2O lineup.

April 2020 will bring in the changes, preceded by the Automotive Industry Standard (AIS) 140 applicable to commercial taxis.