The Indian car market is mostly dominated by small car sales, a segment that is deemed an Indian favourite by the auto industry. The small car segment is expected to see the launches of many new entrants this year and the market is buzzing with anticipation of their arrival.
Heading the list is the Chevrolet Sail Hatchback from the stable of Chevrolet, a subdivision of General Motors. The upcoming car was unveiled at the 2012 Auto Expo in New Delhi and is expected to be launched this month. The new hatchback offering from Chevrolet will replace its Aveo U-VA, which failed to record decent sales in the country. Indian buyers will have to shell out an amount close Rs. 4 lacs if they want the upcoming Sail hatch in their own garage.
Next in the list is the diesel variant of Brio by Honda, which is expected to enter Indian shores during the festive season of Diwali somewhere around November. Besides Brio hatch, the company will also launch the diesel versions of its City sedan and premium hatchback, Jazz. Speculations rounding the market have suggested that the upcoming vehicle will be available between the price bracket of Rs. 4 lacs and Rs. 5.5 lacs, besides, the new vehicle is expected to house a 1.6 litre, i-DTEC turbo diesel engine under its hood.
Maruti Suzuki is currently working on its new Alto 800 LXI and is expected to launch the upcoming car in the Indian car market this year. The new Alto 800 LXI is anticipated to replace the iconic 800 car, which stayed as an Indian favourite for more than two decades. Reportedly, the upcoming small car will carry a price tag around Rs. 2.5 lacs.
Following the league, Mahindra, the country's leading Utility Vehicle (UV) maker, has also intentions to enter the small car segment with its refreshingly new electric vehicle Reva NXR. Mahindra has developed the upcoming vehicle as an eco-friendly vehicle, besides being easy on the Indian consumers' pockets. Reportedly, the Reva NXR will be run on either a lithium-ion or a lead-acid battery and is anticipated to fetch a price tag of Rs. 6 lacs for lead-acid model and Rs. 10 lacs for the lithium-ion model. The car will reach a top speed of 104 kmph and will traverse a 160 km trip on a single charge.
Bajaj is also following the trend and will commence its maiden venture in the Indian car market with the launch of its RE60 car, which is slated to be launched by the end of this year. The car is expected to carry a very humble price tag of Rs. 2 lacs and will offer a fuel economy of 35 kmpl. The astonishing claims by the company have generated significant buzz in the market regarding the RE60 car, which is expected to feature a four valved Bajaj DTSi engine.
The new offerings from the car makers' stable suggest that despite the economy is growing swiftly, Indian car buyers are still finding it hard to let-go their courtship with the small cars. India is considered as one of the fastest growing economies in the world and the monthly incomes of Indian consumers have also increased, which has raised their standard of living and purchasing ability. However, due to fuel efficiency of small cars coupled with enhanced city driving experience, the car makers are believed to continue focussing over the small car segment.
