Indian auto industry has come of age and the market is booming. Indian purchasing power has gone up strongly making auto makers go smiling all the way to the bank. Auto manufacturers have already increased prices of their models twice since January this year but this does not dampen the spirits of customers in India. There are long waiting periods for not only the older successful models but even for the newer ones that have been launched in past few months.
Maruti Swift has been a success story ever since it was first launched in the Indian market. Maruti Swift and Swift Dzire have waiting period of up to two months It launched its new small van model Maruti Eeco which also enjoys its place in the list of models with waiting period.
Newer models like Ford Figo, Chevrolet Beat, Chevrolet Cruze and Volkswagen Polo also have long queues of buyers lined up at the showrooms and more are lined up with their booking amounts to experience the latest models in the market. Ford has already ramped up its production and so has Volkswagen. Ford also intends to employ 700 new employees including floor staff and executives to meet the demand of its new model Ford Figo.
Toyota may not have a small car model in the Indian market but its presence in the SUV segment is definitely remarkable. Its model Toyota Fortuner has a long waiting period. The company has stopped bookings since January 2010 and opens its booking period briefly. “We just don’t have enough production to match the demand that has been phenomenal and beyond our expectation. The bookings have been closed as we do not want people to wait for delivery endlessly after paying hefty booking amounts,” says Sandeep Singh, deputy managing director (marketing) at Toyota Kirloskar Motors. Toyota Fortuner currently has a waiting period of minimum three months.
