TorQue: Diesel Ban Revoked, BMW’s Ad on Tesla Model 3 & More

This week’s top auto stories.

Is the BMW 330e is the Tesla Model 3 alternative? (Photo Courtesy: BMW)

1. SC Lifts Ban on Diesel Cars in Delhi-NCR, Imposes 1% Green Cess

The Supreme Court on Friday ordered the lifting of the ban on the registration of diesel cars above 2000cc in Delhi-NCR region. It has stipulated an additional one percent tax to be levied as green cess on the ex-showroom price of these vehicles.

National Green Tribunal bans diesel vehicles over 10 years old in Delhi and the National Capital Region (Photo: Reuters)

Cars above 2000cc and SUVs will only be registered once the green tax has been paid and will likely be taken on by vehicle owners. However, there is no clarity on the future of smaller cars.

Read full story here.

2. BMW’s Ad Says the Wait for Tesla Model 3 Will Be a Long One

Tesla has made big moolah from its electric vehicle Tesla Model 3 that nobody’s seen. The Elon Musk-owned company is working overnight to get its project on the road by 2020, but who’s going to wait that long?

That’s exactly what BMW asks in their ad, asking buyers not to wait and get their latest hybrid vehicle part of the 3-Series instead.

Read the story here.

3. Tata Motors Challenges Diesel Vehicle Ban in Delhi-NCR

Tata Hexa at the Auto Expo 2016. (Photo: The Quint)

Most auto manufacturers are paying a heavy price with the ban on sale of diesel vehicles in the capital. One of them has taken the matter into its own hands.

Tata Motors has moved the green tribunal on Tuesday, challenging the ban on sale of vehicles powered by more than 2,000-cc engine in Delhi. The ban covers both private and commercial vehicles.

Read the full story here.

4. Ford Slashes Aspire, Figo Prices by Upto Rs 91,000 in India

The Ford Figo 1.5 Ti-VCT. (Photo: The Quint)

Ford India on Tuesday slashed prices of select variants of its compact sedan Ford Aspire and hatchback Figo by up to Rs 91, 000, looking to increase sales. Figo’s 1.2-litre petrol variant will now be priced between Rs 4.54 lakh and Rs 6.29 lakh.

The company’s compact sedan Ford Aspire will now be available in a range of Rs 5.28 lakh to Rs 6.8 lakh for 1.2-litre petrol option. Ford India’s reduction in prices of Aspire and Figo comes at a time when two top carmakers, Maruti Suzuki India and Hyundai Motor India have announced price hikes.

Read the story here.