The Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) has issued its first Worldwide Harmonized Light Duty Test Procedure (WLTP) compliance certificate under AIS:175 to Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt. Ltd. The certificate covers the Lexus LM 350h and its variants, making it the first vehicle model in India to receive this form of certification under the new standard.
The certificate was formally presented by Dr. Reji Mathai, Director at ARAI, to Shri Abhay Kulkarni, General Manager at Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt. Ltd., at a programme organised for the occasion. Senior officials from ARAI, including Shri Abdul Jabbar Akbar Badusha, Senior Deputy Director, and Dr. Prasanna Bhat, Senior Deputy Director, along with other senior personnel from the association, attended the event.
Toyota Kirloskar Motor achieved this certification approximately one year before WLTP compliance becomes a statutory requirement in India. Under the regulatory timeline set by the Government of India, testing under AIS:175 will be mandatory from April 1, 2027, for M1 and M2 category vehicles — broadly covering passenger cars and light commercial vehicles — with a technical permissible maximum laden mass not exceeding 3,500 kg.
By voluntarily pursuing and securing the certification ahead of the deadline, Toyota Kirloskar Motor becomes the first automotive manufacturer to comply with this standard within the Indian regulatory framework. ARAI noted that the early compliance reflects the company's preparedness to transition to more stringent and globally aligned testing protocols without waiting for the mandate to take effect.
The Worldwide Harmonized Light Duty Test Procedure is a globally standardized methodology for measuring vehicle fuel consumption, energy consumption, and exhaust emissions under conditions designed to better reflect real-world driving. It was developed through a collaborative process under the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and has been progressively adopted by major automotive markets including the European Union, Japan, and South Korea.
The procedure replaced older test cycles such as the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC), which had long been criticized for producing results that did not accurately represent on-road vehicle performance. The WLTP uses a more dynamic drive cycle, accounts for optional equipment that affects vehicle weight and aerodynamics, and covers a wider range of speeds and driving conditions, resulting in emissions and efficiency figures that are considered more representative and consistent.
India's adoption of WLTP through AIS:175 — a standard developed by the Automotive Industry Standards Committee — marks a significant step in aligning domestic emission testing with international norms. The transition is expected to improve the quality and comparability of vehicle performance data available to regulators, manufacturers, and consumers in India.
The Lexus LM 350h is a hybrid luxury multi-purpose vehicle sold in India under the Lexus brand, which functions as the premium vehicle division of Toyota. The vehicle combines a petrol engine with an electric motor, and its hybrid powertrain places it among a growing segment of electrified vehicles entering the Indian market. Its selection as the first model to receive WLTP certification under AIS:175 is consistent with the industry trend of premium and hybrid vehicles leading compliance with newer emission standards.
ARAI described the certification as a meaningful benchmark in the evolution of emission compliance in India. The development signals a gradual shift in the industry's approach to regulatory readiness, with manufacturers beginning to align their product pipelines with upcoming standards rather than responding at the point of enforcement.
For ARAI, which functions as a technical agency under the Ministry of Heavy Industries and is responsible for type approval and certification of vehicles in India, the issuance of this first WLTP certificate represents the practical operationalisation of a standard that has been in preparation for several years. The association noted that the milestone strengthens the collective commitment of both ARAI and the automotive industry toward the development of cleaner vehicles and the adoption of globally harmonized regulations.
With the April 2027 deadline now firmly on the horizon, other manufacturers are expected to initiate WLTP compliance processes for their vehicle portfolios. The certification received by Toyota Kirloskar Motor is likely to serve as a reference point for the industry as it prepares to meet the upcoming statutory requirements.