Romancing the Qualis

Launched in 1999, by the Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt. Ltd, the Toyota Qualis, based on the Indonesian Toyota Kijang, was an instant hit in the MPV (Multi-Purpose Vehicle) market. It's name was a combination of the words ‘Quality’ and ‘Service,’ and on both fronts it “delivered” for the buyer. Way back then, petrol costed around INR 13 more per litre than diesel did, and so people plumbed for it as a “Family car.” Its diesel variant gave a fabulous 13 km per litre, and its spacious seating – it could seat nine – made it a hit with the tour operators. Its top-end variant was called the Qualis RS for ‘Royal Saloon,’ and for several Indian families, it was just that. It was also a huge hit with the emerging BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) industry, and those operating services for them, eagerly sought the Qualis. Today, despite several new vehicles launched by Toyota, including their latest, the Vellfire, few vehicles command the fan following and loyalty that the Toyota Qualis does in India. Fifteen years after it was withdrawn, a Fan Club on Facebook (FB) was started to enable owners to share their driving experiences, buy spares, and connect with other enthusiasts. Rupesh Dalvi, 37, a Talegaon-based