The Indian passenger car market is all set to witness a number of exciting new model launches in the 2013 calendar year. There upcoming new cars will range across all the major vehicle segments, from compact hatchbacks and powerful utility vehicles to imported luxury models. All leading automotive players active on Indian turf, such as Mercedes-Benz, Ford, BMW, Volvo, Skoda, General Motors and Volkswagen, are working round-the-clock to break the covers off their new in the country.
Heading list is the American car maker – Ford India Private Limited (FIPL), a completely owned subdivision of Ford Motor Co., who has lined up its EcoSport compact Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) for a February 2013 launch. Ford EcoSport was unveiled to the domestic audience at the 2012 New Delhi Auto Expo and has already entered the Brazilian auto market. Upon its launch on Indian turf, the stylish and uber-cool compact SUV will be pitched in an intense battle against the likes of some inspiring segment contenders, such as Renault Duster and Mahindra Quanto. The most important facet of the Ford EcoSport is its 1.0 litre EcoBoost powertrain, which is rated with peak power of 120 bhp and promises to be both, fuel efficient and robust in performance. Industry sources suggest EcoSport could see Indian daylight within a Rs. 7 to 10 lakhs price range by the end of February 2013. General Motors India is also developing its Chevrolet Trax compact SUV for domestic car enthusiasts, a new rival like EcoSport against Duster and Quanto in the country.
The Indian arm of Mercedes-Benz, a well-appreciated German premium automobile marque, is also working towards the launch of its A-Class premium hatchback in the domestic car market somewhere in the first half of 2013. The company has lined up its A-Class premium hatch, followed by the 2013 CLA sedan and new GL-Class for launch in India this year. The upcoming Mercedes-Benz A-Class range is expected to carry retail price tags in the range Rs. 18 to 20 lakhs, upon its arrival in the country.
On the similar of Mercedes-Benz's low cost model strategy, its stiffest rival- BMW has also revealed intentions to bring its big European hit, the 1-Series hatchback range in India as well. The upcoming BMW 1-Series will be pitched directly against the likes of Mercedes-Benz A-Class, which makes it an immensely interesting to see how the two models fare against each other in Indian auto market. The 1-Series will come fitted with a 1.6 litre petrol engines, rated at 134 bhp (116i) and 167 bhp (118i), respectively. Industry experts believe BMW India will launch the 1-Series premium hatch range with retail price brackets between Rs. 17 and 20 lakhs in the country.
Skoda Auto India, a completely owned subsidiary of the world-renowned German automotive major Volkswagen Group, has lined up the new Octavia executive sedan for a 2013 launch in the domestic car market. The 2013 Skoda Octavia is expected to come fitted with a 1.4 litre TSI motor (powering its cousin Volkswagen Jetta) in its petrol trim. Further, the diesel model is anticipated to incorporate a tweaked 1.6 litre TDI engine, present in its sister Rapid sedan. The upcoming luxury saloon also boasts off a new design language and features the cutting Volkswagen MQB platform. Sources suggest that Skoda Auto India will pitch the 2013 Octavia sedan between its Rapid and Laura models in the domestic market.
