The Imported Vans Thread

///RMan · 31st December 2019, 17:10

The mini-van body-style, like the pick-up and estate/wagon segments is one of the less popular types to be sold in India. Until recently, most vans seen around were privately imported CBU units, and thus, a variety of cars have made their way into the country.

With Mercedes-Benz launching the V-Class and Toyota bringing in the Alphard officially, thought of making one to compile vans seen in Mumbai (and surrounding areas too) into a single thread.

The VW Transporter T5 (also known as the Caravelle) is one of the relatively popular vans imported.These are used for a myriad of operations, from hotel taxis to ambulances.

Pic by Viren Parikh

Saw this 2nd generation Toyota Alphard with the butter smooth V6 motor earlier this year at Prabhadevi.

A friend (and TeamBHPian) whose family has a penchant for vans, sold his Honda StepWgn earlier this year. Having come across pictures of just three of these across the nation, this van was definitely rare. Not even Honda enthusiasts here have heard of this around our country!

This particular StepWgn had retrofitted Innova captain seats, an in-car display, DVD player etc as well as a passenger-driver cabin partition.

The Mercedes-Benz MB100d is a rather forgotten star from the yesteryears. Used by politicos and film stars back in the day, the few left on the roads today are used as school buses or to carry around goods.

Hoping to see more of this rather unpopular body-style in this thread

hserus · 3rd January 2020, 08:31

Frankly I can't see why Toyota isn't bringing the Alphard here. It looks like and actually is an oversized Innova.

Shreyans_Jain · 3rd January 2020, 08:44

The word van has become synonymous with the Maruti Omni, just like xerox with photocopy. This is the single biggest hurdle for these immensely practical vehicles from gaining popularity in India. We perceive vans as absolutely low rent and utilitarian. I distinctly remember the

on the face of my friend when a recently US return acquaintance called in new Innova a minivan. It was like a personal insult!!!

Times are changing and with products like the Carnival, V Class and Alphard on the horizon, perhaps impressions can change. I personally believe it is high time that the big Indian family which spends big money to travel together gets something better than the Innova.

ChiragM · 3rd January 2020, 08:49

I saw an Alphard in Bangalore just 2 days back. Should have taken a pic for this thread.

Cross-posting from other threads.

A few Volkswagen vans:

A stretched Mercedes van:

A few Nissan vans:

The Imported Vans Thread-nissan-van-1.jpg

The Imported Vans Thread-nissan-van-2.jpg

A Ford:

And a Dodge:

The Imported Vans Thread-dodge-van-1.jpg

silverado · 3rd January 2020, 10:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by hserus

Frankly I can't see why Toyota isn't bringing the Alphard here. It looks like and actually is an oversized Innova.

They are in form of Vellfire, assume it will be a CBU/CKD thing.
Cost is the only reason why it will not be as popular as Innova.

Investing approx 80 lakhs for a luxury van may not be to everyones taste.

blackwasp · 3rd January 2020, 16:32

Spotted this Alphard in Aug 2018.

agspins · 6th January 2020, 22:14

Spotted last month in Paonta Sahib,HP

TheHelix0202 · 6th January 2020, 23:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by ///RMan

The mini-van body-style, like the pick-up and estate/wagon segments is one of the less popular types to be sold in India...

The Toyota Alphard looks like an offspring of the first gen Wagon-R and the first gen Endeavour!

Quote:

Originally Posted by agspins

Spotted last month in Paonta Sahib,HP

Nice number plate work done by you there!

///RMan · 14th January 2020, 12:57

The number of Alphards being spotted continues to rise steadily!

Photo by Viren Parikh

toyotaguy18 · 23rd January 2020, 21:07

Here are many of the imported vans I've found in Mumbai

These two Toyota HiAces I found together at Bandra in 2015. Having grown up in Muscat, we used to travel frequently in the HiAce because its the dominant taxi van in Muscat.

The Imported Vans Thread-20150908_114111.jpg

The Imported Vans Thread-20150908_114119.jpg

Nice Honda Odyssey.

The Imported Vans Thread-img_20170321_105501186.jpg

A great trio of Toyota Hiaces at Bandra. Again, these are also used as taxis in Muscat.

The Imported Vans Thread-img_20170712_112930900.jpg

The Imported Vans Thread-img_20170712_112946519.jpg

The Imported Vans Thread-img_20170712_113205968.jpg

JDM-spec Honda Odyssey at Bandra.

The Imported Vans Thread-img_20170812_123009393.jpg

Abandoned VW T6 van behind Nationals College, Bandra.

The Imported Vans Thread-img_20181215_120826.jpg

Vauxhall Monaro at Andheri East. There was another one that i spotted at this place on a later date.

The Imported Vans Thread-img_20190212_160300.jpg

//M · 27th January 2020, 22:26

Toyota Hiace from Delhi.

The Imported Vans Thread-img_20200126_085150012.jpeg

Eshan Joshi · 3rd February 2020, 20:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by //M

Toyota Hiace from Delhi.

My school owns a Hiace just like this one. They use it for picking up foreign or outstation guests who visit our school for events and stuff.

Arsenic · 2nd January 2023, 10:57

Big Boy Toyz is selling a 2008 Toyota Alphard V6 at 32 Lakhs. Rajasthan registered, with 139500 kilometres on the odometer. More info.

31st December 2019, 17:10	#1
///RMan Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Mumbai Posts: 1,351 Thanked: 5,454 Times	The Imported Vans Thread The mini-van body-style, like the pick-up and estate/wagon segments is one of the less popular types to be sold in India. Until recently, most vans seen around were privately imported CBU units, and thus, a variety of cars have made their way into the country. With Mercedes-Benz launching the V-Class and Toyota bringing in the Alphard officially, thought of making one to compile vans seen in Mumbai (and surrounding areas too) into a single thread. The VW Transporter T5 (also known as the Caravelle) is one of the relatively popular vans imported.These are used for a myriad of operations, from hotel taxis to ambulances. Pic by Viren Parikh Saw this 2nd generation Toyota Alphard with the butter smooth V6 motor earlier this year at Prabhadevi. A friend (and TeamBHPian) whose family has a penchant for vans, sold his Honda StepWgn earlier this year. Having come across pictures of just three of these across the nation, this van was definitely rare. Not even Honda enthusiasts here have heard of this around our country! This particular StepWgn had retrofitted Innova captain seats, an in-car display, DVD player etc as well as a passenger-driver cabin partition. The Mercedes-Benz MB100d is a rather forgotten star from the yesteryears. Used by politicos and film stars back in the day, the few left on the roads today are used as school buses or to carry around goods. Hoping to see more of this rather unpopular body-style in this thread Last edited by ///RMan : 31st December 2019 at 17:12.
	(24) Thanks

3rd January 2020, 08:31	#2
hserus Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Chennai Posts: 5,072 Thanked: 9,318 Times	Re: The Imported Vans Thread Frankly I can't see why Toyota isn't bringing the Alphard here. It looks like and actually is an oversized Innova.
	() Thanks

3rd January 2020, 08:44	#3
Shreyans_Jain Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: HR51/HR29/HR26 Posts: 2,981 Thanked: 23,825 Times	Re: The Imported Vans Thread The word van has become synonymous with the Maruti Omni, just like xerox with photocopy. This is the single biggest hurdle for these immensely practical vehicles from gaining popularity in India. We perceive vans as absolutely low rent and utilitarian. I distinctly remember the on the face of my friend when a recently US return acquaintance called in new Innova a minivan. It was like a personal insult!!! Times are changing and with products like the Carnival, V Class and Alphard on the horizon, perhaps impressions can change. I personally believe it is high time that the big Indian family which spends big money to travel together gets something better than the Innova.
	(1) Thanks

3rd January 2020, 08:49	#4
ChiragM Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,550 Thanked: 17,876 Times	Re: The Imported Vans Thread I saw an Alphard in Bangalore just 2 days back. Should have taken a pic for this thread. Cross-posting from other threads. A few Volkswagen vans: A stretched Mercedes van: A few Nissan vans: A Ford: And a Dodge:
	(17) Thanks

3rd January 2020, 16:32	#6
blackwasp Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Pune Posts: 3,042 Thanked: 27,188 Times View My Garage	Re: The Imported Vans Thread Spotted this Alphard in Aug 2018.
	(9) Thanks

6th January 2020, 22:14	#7
agspins Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: MH-31 Posts: 1,660 Thanked: 532 Times View My Garage	Re: The Imported Vans Thread Spotted last month in Paonta Sahib,HP Attached Thumbnails
	(8) Thanks

14th January 2020, 12:57	#9
///RMan Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Mumbai Posts: 1,351 Thanked: 5,454 Times	Re: The Imported Vans Thread The number of Alphards being spotted continues to rise steadily! Photo by Viren Parikh
	(4) Thanks

23rd January 2020, 21:07	#10
toyotaguy18 BHPian Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Mumbai Posts: 38 Thanked: 241 Times	Re: The Imported Vans Thread Here are many of the imported vans I've found in Mumbai These two Toyota HiAces I found together at Bandra in 2015. Having grown up in Muscat, we used to travel frequently in the HiAce because its the dominant taxi van in Muscat. Nice Honda Odyssey. A great trio of Toyota Hiaces at Bandra. Again, these are also used as taxis in Muscat. JDM-spec Honda Odyssey at Bandra. Abandoned VW T6 van behind Nationals College, Bandra. Vauxhall Monaro at Andheri East. There was another one that i spotted at this place on a later date.
	(10) Thanks

27th January 2020, 22:26	#11
//M Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: New Delhi Posts: 6,565 Thanked: 25,150 Times	Re: The Imported Vans Thread Toyota Hiace from Delhi.
	(5) Thanks

2nd January 2023, 10:57	#13
Arsenic BHPian Join Date: May 2022 Location: Mumbai Posts: 215 Thanked: 1,419 Times	Re: The Imported Vans Thread Big Boy Toyz is selling a 2008 Toyota Alphard V6 at 32 Lakhs. Rajasthan registered, with 139500 kilometres on the odometer. More info.
	(1) Thanks