Japanese automobile giant Toyota recently launched the new Fortuner Leader Edition in India. During the launch event, the company revealed many details about the success of this SUV in India. Toyota said the company has delivered over 2,51,000 units of the Fortuner since its launch in 2009. This number includes all generations of the Fortuner that we have seen over the years.
Current sales of Toyota Fortuner
In the month of March, Toyota managed to deliver a total of 3,261 units of the Fortuner. In the same month last year, the company achieved sales of 3,108 units. This helped the brand achieve a decent year-on-year growth of 17 percent.
Compared to its nearest competitor, the MG Gloster, the Fortuner has dwarfed the sales figures of this SUV. MG sold a total of 131 units of the Gloster in March 2024. This makes Fortuner sales of 3,261 units almost 25 times higher than Gloster sales. This speaks volumes about the popularity of this SUV in India.
Why is the Toyota Fortuner so popular in India?
With the Fortuner being 25 times more popular than its closest competitor, you might be wondering why that is. You may also be wondering what makes the Fortuner so popular in India.
Well, we can tell you that there is not just one but several reasons for this. So without further ado, here are those reasons.
Powerful yet reliable diesel engine
The first and most important reason for this immense popularity of the Fortuner is its diesel engine. This SUV is equipped with the Japanese car manufacturer’s new GD engine series.
The special thing about these engines is that they are equipped with Associated ESTEC technology (Economy with Superior Thermal Efficient Combustion). This helps ensure the engines offer a good mix of fuel efficiency and performance.
According to Toyota, the 2.8-liter diesel engine is one of the most thermally efficient engines ever built. The Fortuner’s diesel engine produces 174.5 hp and 420 Nm of torque. This is one of the main reasons for the Fortuner’s popularity.
Automatic transmission and its off-road capabilities
Toyota offers the Fortuner with various drive options. It also offers it with an automatic transmission option and a 4×4 system. The Fortuner also gets an alternative petrol engine.
With such a diverse product range, there is a model to suit every SUV enthusiast. Those looking for refined comfort can consider the petrol variant. On the other hand, those who want powerful off-road performance can explore the diesel 4×4 models.
Lack of competition
The Ford Endeavor put up a strong fight, but the company had to leave India – and that was the end of that challenge. We are sure that the Mahindra Scorpio-N will attract some buyers to the Fortuner due to its high value for money compared to the Fortuner. But they belong to different segments. Here’s an Australian car expert comparing the Scorpio-N with the Fortuner. The only real competition for the Fortuner are imports like the Skoda Kodiaq, but these are only sold in small numbers. Things might change a bit when Ford is back in India with the new Ford Everest.
Easy maintenance
This is probably one of the most important factors contributing to the Fortuner’s popularity. In keeping with Toyota tradition, the Fortuner features low maintenance requirements and benefits from the company’s affordable parts and services.
In addition, the service intervals are generous, the parts are of high quality and malfunctions are rare. Apart from these advantages, Toyota’s extensive service network in major cities ensures convenience. The SUV’s reliability and excellent customer service also contribute to its appeal.
Brand appeal
The Fortuner name itself has become a big brand in India. It has achieved a prestigious status in India. Therefore, it is no surprise that the Fortuner is the choice of a number of politicians and businessmen. This SUV has become the most popular premium ladder frame SUV in the country due to its confident demeanor and name.
Resale value
Finally, the Fortuner’s popularity has helped it achieve remarkable resale value. Despite the increase in price over the years, the SUV retains a significant portion of its original value when resold. In fact, it is one of the few cars in India that shows minimal depreciation even after a year of use.
According to a CarWale report, the Fortuner retains up to 85% of its original value after three years of ownership. While a new Fortuner costs between Rs 26 lakh and Rs 31 lakh (excluding registration, insurance, accessories, etc.), used models usually fetch around 90% of their original value. Pretty impressive, isn’t it?
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