LATEST CAR LAUNCHES IN INDIA

India is witnessing a sweeping change in its economy and the automobile market as well. More and more Indians are vying to opt for a four wheeler automobiles for a better and comfortable travel not only for individual but for the family as well.With the Launch of Maruti Suzuki in 1983, the automobile market in India has seen as many new entrants such as Audi AG, Bentley, Toyota, Hyundai, Volkswagen, Mitsubishi, General Motors, Honda and Skoda along with existing automobile manufacturers such as Bajaj Auto, Tata Motors and Maruti Suzuki.

The type of Automobiles which will be launched in India belong to basic categories viz., Luxury cars, Premium Cars, Midsize Cars, Small Cars and lastly Sports Utility Vehicle – SUVs.Beginning with Maruti Udyog Limited, ambitious launches of 5 different models, each of which are different in look, body and performance but equally powerful and efficient. The 5 models are the SX4, Swift Dzire, M800 Duo, Maruti Suzuki Splash, and Maruti Suzuki Cervo, all designed and launched in variants, colors etc to suit the Indian market and lifestyle. The SX4 and Swift Dzire from Maruti Suzuki are mid sized cars.

Hyundai Motors

Hyundai Motors, too has decided to launch its various new cars in India such as I10 diesel Santro LPG, Accent LPG, Accent CNG, I20, Hyundai Pa. Its I10 model has already won the “Car of the Year 2008” award and has reached global market whereas the Hyundai Santro Hyundai Santro has been adjudged as India’s Most Dependable Compact Car.

Honda Cars in India

Honda Siel Cars India has been established since 1997, and has launched Honda City ZX, Civic and Accord. Most successful of them has been the City ZX which is available in four variants viz EXi, GXi, CVT (Automatic Transmission) and VTEC. The Accord 2.4, Accord 2.4 Elegance and Accord 2.4 Inspire are quite popular as well. Honda Civic Hybrid car is the latest launch of the Honda that too in the Hybrid category.

Not lagging behind in the automobile launch race is the Tata Motors which is due to roll out Indica V2 xeta LPG, TATA Nano, Indica Dicor, Indigo CS and Sumo Grande. Indica LPG has been received well by the Indian market. Indigo CS and Sumo Grande have shown a steady rise in their sales figures. TATA Nano promises to be a “People’s Car” which could be comfortable and at the same time be the least expensive of all.

The motor giant Toyota Motor Corporation is in joint venture with the Kirloskar Group and plans to put forth the following models in India - Toyota Prius, Toyota iQ, Toyota Fortuner and Toyota Yaris very soon.

General Motors, the largest automaker of the world, sells in India the Chevrolet and Opel brand of vehicles. The Optra Magnum model of General Motors has been well received by the Indian market. Meanwhile the Chevrolet Captiva belongs to the premium sport utility vehicle range which defines style and performance at class of its own.

In the foray of launching inexpensive cars, Bajaj Auto has also showcased its Bajaj Lite. Bajaj Lite promises to a good and economical car. For the production of this concept car Bajaj has technology tie ups with Renault and Nissan. Bajaj Lite will hit the markets by 2010 and is expected to run 34 km per litre of fuel.

Skoda Fabia in the premium car range, Mitsubishi Outlander a sports utility vehicle, Volkswgen Passat supposed to be the best European car available are some of the other Models of famous brands which are available in India.

As the competition within the Indian Automobile market gets stiffer,the vehicle range wider and more attractive, the well informed Indian consumers are demanding better bargains and a host of offers and freebies from the automobile manufacturers while trying to take advantage of the market situation.