Several luxury auto makers are mulling to offer new models to the domestic audience, despite of several critical barriers like increasing fuel prices, high rate of interest and inflation. Industry experts believe that all these factors have reduced the momentum of demand in the passenger car segment, but have not affected the sales of premium models so far. Owing to this, the luxury auto makers are all planned to introduce a number of models in 2013, even after knowing the fact that mass producers will be offering significant discounts to lure the domestic buyers, in order to reduce the inventory.
Starting the bandwagon of premium launches, the German premium car manufacturer, Audi has already started the New Year with its two brilliant launches. A facelift model of Audi Q5 Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) was introduced in the country, which was then followed by the Audi R8 with a heavy price tag of around Rs. 1.3 crore (ex-showroom, Delhi). With the launch of two performance oriented models, the auto maker is further looking to consolidate its position in the Indian auto industry.
Expressing his views on this, the Head of Audi India, Michael Perschke said, “2013 is a critical year for Audi in India and we will see the announcement of several initiatives on the product and network front. First month of 2013 already saw the launch of new Audi Q5 and I am confident that with the launch of this new Audi R8 we will further consolidate our leadership position in the super sports car segment in India.”
It must be also noted that Audi India has announced a price hike in its entire product portfolio by up to 5 per cent, with the start of 2013. The reason cited for the same is increase in the input cost and depreciation in the value of rupee against the strong US Dollar. However, indirectly, the auto maker hinted that the increase in prices will not affect it sales at all. Reportedly, in 2012, Audi India had exceeded its own sales target by delivering 9,003 units in the country with a growth of 63 per cent.
He further added, “We are presently the growth drivers of the luxury car market in India and I am confident that 2013 will be more rewarding than 2012, despite the price hike.”
Following the path of Audi India, BMW has also revealed its plans to introduce its new X1 SUV, which will be then followed by a reworked model of 7 Series by the end of 2013. Launch of a compact BMW 1 Series is also on the cards of the German auto maker, which is expected to be the most price competitive model in auto maker’s Indian product portfolio.
Joining the league, the Tata owned Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) also introduced the locally assembled model of its Jaguar XF sedan at a price tag of around Rs. 44 lakhs (ex-showroom, Mumbai). With the launch of a new model, the auto maker reduced its price by around Rs. 13 lakhs over the erstwhile model, which was brought as Completely Build Unit (CBU). Reportedly, the new model is equipped with a 2.2 litre engine, however the other two imported models were packed with a bigger engine.
The Italian super sports car maker, Lamborghini has also pulled off the curtains from its Aventador Roadster in the Indian auto market. Reportedly, the model was unveiled at the Los Angeles Motor Show in 2012. It has been packed with a performance oriented 6.5 litre V12 engine, which belts out a peak power output of 700 bhp.
Among these luxury cars, two passenger cars are also soon to be introduced in the country. General Motors, the well renowned American auto maker, will be introducing its Sail sedan in the Indian market on February 1, amid great buzz. In the same month, Honda is also gearing up for the launch of a reworked model of CR-V Sports Utility Vehicle. Both of these models are expected to pull the masses, as a number of buyers in Indian auto market look for price competitive models.
