Indian cars race ahead
Despite terrible crowd management the recent AutoExpo 2012 was a great success. It really showed how much all the global players want to be here and of how Indian companies have matured to be able to compete in global markets. Maruti, the Indian industry leader, added a new seven-seater Ertiga MUV and a futuristic looking baby SUV called XAalpha built around a Swift platform. These and their other displays showed that they want to cover every segment of the expanding Indian auto market. Mahindra & Mahindra also showed that they want to offer products for every mobility segment from small and large two-wheelers, electric vehicles, three-wheelers, SUV’s (including their very successful XUV500), trucks and buses including heavy earth moving models. Though the Verito, derived from the Renault Logan, was present we can expect a classy range of cars before too long.
Bajaj showed that they are ready to launch a four-wheel passenger vehicle. Their new 200 cc ultra low cost vehicle was claimed to be targeted at offering a safer and more comfortable 4-seater upgrade of their range of auto rickshaws. It was however evident that it would also be suitable as a low cost personal transport vehicle.
Tata Motors, who are the king of Indian commercial vehicles, had an array of new offerings. Among passenger vehicles they showed a LPG fueled Nano and a very cute small Pixel that will offer upward swinging ‘scissor’ doors, a small diesel engine and an infinitely variable gearless transmission. There were also upgrades in style and features for the Safari, Vista, Aria and other models. Hyundai extended their very successful ‘fluidic’ design concept to their bigger saloons like the Elantra and Sonata that now look very appealing. The same styling theme was extended to a new small SUV, the HexaSpace, that has the most interesting interiors with individual seats that can fold flat.
Toyota added new styling to the Fortuner SUV plus an automatic gearbox. Volkswagen displayed a new Taureg SUV with an eight-speed automatic. Chevrolet introduced a 1400 cc Sail that will probably replace their Aveo and Ford showcased a brilliant EcoSport mini SUV that not only looks great but offers an amazing new engine. The small 1,000 cc engine will belt out a huge 120 HP with 17 KGM torque comparable to a good 1,600 cc engine.
Renault launched their 1500cc diesel Pulse hatchback and showed the Duster small SUV that will soon be here. Their French rival Peugeot also showed that they mean business as soon as their Gujarat plant becomes operational. Nissan showed that it was adding a small seven-seat MPV called Evalia to its expanding range. The hundreds of displays were as boggling to the mind and the noisy crowds were numbing to the senses but it showed that the Indian auto market is going places.
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