MUMBAI :

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 Fifteen years after it was withdrawn, a Fan Club on Facebook (FB) was started to enable owners to share their driving experiences, buy spares, and connect with other enthusiasts.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 government employee spent almost eight years looking for a Toyota Qualis because the ones available online weren’t in very good condition. He finally thought he had struck paydirt when a Mumbai-based Qualis owner put up his vehicle for sale.  He rushed to Mumbai only to be disappointed yet again. But as luck would have it, the mechanic who had accompanied him to check the vehicle, advised him against buying it, and soon found him a Qualis in top condition when a long-standing customer of his decided to sell his. Luckily for Dalvi, the price was within his budget and he was finally able to buy his dream MPV, a 2004 diesel, for a princely sum of INR 2.75 Lakh.

In Madurai, S.K. Karthick, 32, a businessman, always wanted a Qualis, for the “Toyota brand,” but never really knew where to find a good one; after all, the MPV had been withdrawn barely five years after its launch and very few were available. In the meantime, Karthick, acquired other Toyota vehicles, but it was a chance ride in a friend’s Qualis that really got him hooked, and his search for acquiring a Qualis became more determined. When he was able to locate a 2001 diesel model, he had it checked with a nearby Toyota dealership and when they confirmed that it had genuine parts, he finally bought it. “This is the real family car, spacious and great to drive for long distances,” he says. 

While Dalvi and Karthick live miles apart, both are members of the Toyota Qualis Fan Club Page on Facebook. Started over a year ago, Dalvi is the site’s moderator, whereas Kathick, is the site’s administrator. The club has over 400 members, and counting. Fans use the platform to engage with each other, and share driving tips, talk about engine maintenance, and also upload pictures of their shiny, well-maintained, and almost-new looking Toyota Qualis'.

The only available family SUVs at the time were Tata Sumo and Mahindra Bolero, but as Karthick puts it, the Toyota Qualis was a true-blue MPV. An estimated lakh and a half were reportedly sold by the time the MPV was withdrawn in February 2005.  Though a huge success, Toyota decided to discontinue it in favour of a more modern offering, the Toyota Innova, much to the disappointment of taxi operators and private buyers. While there were calls for Toyota to re-launch the MPV, the company was categorical that the Qualis’ succesful run in India had to come to an end and that it would make way for a modern and sleek offering.

If one is looking for a used Toyota Qualis today, a few hundred are still available in good condition, and online. Most are diesel-powered and manufactured between 2003-2004. The fact remains, though that those who own one are quite reluctant to give up theirs. A cursory glance at those featured online, on sites such as Olx and Droom, will show you that nearly all are first-time owned, and have on average, clocked at least 1,40,000 kms. One online seller describes it as a "masterpiece of engineering" perhaps hoping to entice a buyer and get a good price. The Qualis' available online typically retail at INR 1.5 Lakh to INR 2.5 Lakh, less than what a base version of Maruti Alto would cost today.

Both Dalvi and Karthick wax eloquent about the Qualis’ sheer driving pleasure. “My brother and I drove through the Konkan on narrow and winding roads, and it handled beautifully. One can drive for over 500 km and it will not give you a back ache,” says Dalvi. “The MPV is great on even bad roads, and also easy to manoeuvre, and park,” says Karthick. Both take great care of their Qualis', with regular maintenance schedules. “I make sure that I have maintenance carried out on mine every 5,000 km, says Dalvi.

According to Karthick, apart from sharing experiences, the FB page helps buyers to know if spares are available. He goes on to say that the Toyota Qualis shares some of its parts with the Toyota Hilux (sold internationally), and so, if someone is travelling abroad, they request them to bring back spares. Karthick says that he has also approached dealerships who can import spares that are common to both these Toyota brands.  “It is expensive, and can take up to a month for them to arrive but the wait is well worth it,” admits Karthick. “The Toyota Qualis Fan Club helps genuine buyers like me to have a continuing love affair with the vehicle,” adds Dalvi.

For Dalvi, the Qualis has a strong emotional connect. Last year, he faced a family crisis when his son, Tanmay, was born pre-mature, and Dalvi needed funds for his treatment as well as mounting hospital expenses. “Someone offered me a great price for my Toyota Qualis and I was very tempted to sell out,” he says. However, Dalvi decided against it and raised the required funds via other means. “I know that one day soon, my son and I will be going for long drives in our Qualis,” he says.