Delhi Auto Expo 2010 will be buzzing with one phrase next year – “Small Car.” Indian auto market is set to witness tough competition in next two years in the small car segment. Since long Maruti Suzuki has ruled this market segment with its models like Alto, Wagon R, Swift and new entrants like A-Star and Ritz have added spice to life. Hyundai Motors has closely followed the path with its models like Santro, Getz and then i10 and i20.
All this is set to change as new entrants like Volkswagen, Skoda, Honda, Nissan are ready to enter the small car bandwagon from next year. Volkswagen has already rolled out Polo from its manufacturing unit and the car will hit the market in March 2010. Chevrolet Beat is slated for a launch on January 04 2010 and will soon hit the roads early next year. Ford has already unveiled its small car model Figo which will be showcased at the Auto Expo in January.
Tata Nano cannot be left out which will go into full production with upgrades when Nano mother plant becomes fully operational in March next year. There is already an endless waiting list for the model and customers in the overseas markets are also awaiting the European and American model. Nissan Micra is also slated for a launch next year.
Apart from compact car budget models, luxury models like VW Beetle and Audi small car are also making a foray in the Indian market. Premium small car models like Honda Jazz, Skoda Fabia, Hyundai i20 are equally established in the Indian market. However, according to the auto experts, the existing players will face competition but will remain largely unaffected due to their existing brand value. The actual picture will be clear only after the models are launched within the whole year.
