Mahindra and Mahindra (M&M) Limited, the country's leading Utility Vehicle (UV) maker, has revealed intentions towards introducing a sub four metre, compact version of its Verito sedan somewhere around the first half of 2013. The exercise will make the Verito compact price competitive against the likes of similar products, such as Maruti Suzuki Swift DZire and Tata Indigo eCS mid-size sedans in the Indian auto market.
The compact size will ensure the upcoming Verito sedan to become eligible for an excise duty cut, thereby reducing its net retail value, which could come handy in luring the Indian buyers towards Mahindra showrooms. The yet-to-be launched sub-4 metre Verito compact sedan is anticipated to come trimmed with some refined interior and exterior attributes. The company is believed to be working towards introducing the new car with style and cues derived from the revamped Verito saloon.
The Indian passenger car market is currently going through a transitional phase, with more and more consumers joining the compact bandwagon. Evidently, it is the compact vehicle segment that has been a revelation during the ongoing fiscal, with the likes of Renault Duster, Mahindra Quanto, Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 and Honda Brio catching the imagination of Indian car buyers. Because of their smart size, the compact vehicles have become an urban Indian favourite.
There are many reasons behind the shift in sentiments of Indian buyers towards compact vehicles. First and foremost is the easement that comes while driving through menacing city traffic and getting engaged in tricky parking situations, due to the small size of vehicle. Further, compact engine and size entails the car to score relatively better in terms of fuel efficiency as compared to the bigger cousins.
