Supreme Court Bans Sale of BS III Vehicles
Friday, March 31, 2017
Editor Garipoint
Supreme Court Bans Sale of BS III Vehicles From April 1, 2017

The Supreme Court of India has announced that the trade and registration of new BS-III vehicles will be banned across the nation from 1 April 2017. 

However, it doesn't affect the majority of four-wheeler buyers in India as nearly all of the carmakers had already completed the changeover of their portfolio from BS-III to BS-IV. The companies had suggested the government deadline for 1 April 2017 was for stopping manufacture of BS III.

According to links in the auto industry, there are 75,000 unsold BS-III commercial vehicles, 16,000 passenger vehicles, 40,000 three-wheelers and 6.71 lakh two-wheelers. 

The BS-IV cars cost more than their BS-III versions. However, the incremental cost is not too high. In the Bolero's case, while BS-III ZLX variant costs Rs 8.55 lakh, and BS-IV ZLX costs Rs 8.70 lakh (ex-showroom).

In a nutshell, for the short-term buyer in small cities and towns, it's an opportunity to buy a new two or four-wheeler at a heavily discounted price.Some of the popular BS-III car models which are on heavy discount today - TATA Indigo eCSMahindra Bolero, Mahindra Bolero Pickup, Tata Sumo.

The Supreme Court hearing mentioned that public health is more important than inventories and the trade and registration of BS-III compliant vehicles will not be permitted from 1st April 2017.