The income level of Indian households is on a rise and it has enabled more and more buyers to go for their favorite cars. With growth potential high in the passenger car market, more and more automakers are also marking debuts in the passenger car segment. Following the launch of first passenger segment sports utility vehicle (SUV) – Force One – by commercial vehicle maker Force Motors, now yet another commercial vehicle maker Sonalika is set to expand in the passenger car market.
The new car will be jointly developed by Sonalika group and an Italian design house Pininfarina. The launch of this new passenger car next year will follow the launch of two more products from this joint venture over the period of succeeding two years.
The first car from the Sonalika camp would probably be a mid size sedan and expected to be priced in the segment of Rs 8 to 10 lakh. The diesel variant is expected to be powered by a 2.0L diesel engine. The second product will be a SUV, which will be rolled-out in the price segment of Rs 10 lakh, where it will be competing with the recently rolled-out Force One, Popular Mahindra Scorpio, Tata Safari, etc.
Initially, the company has planned-up to invest about Rs 500 crore on this passenger vehicle project to develop new cars in the Indian market. The company, however, yet to announce the details of this project officially in the country.
