Indian car market is witnessing a paradigm shifting phase, with more and more domestic motor vehicle enthusiasts opting for compact diesel powered vehicles as against their petrol run counterparts. With the rapid emergence of segment defining products like Renault Duster and Mahindra Quanto, the Indian auto market seems to be full of surprises. The immense success of compact Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) Duster and Quanto have lead to all major automobile companies to sit back and rethink their strategies for Indian sector.
The Renault Duster has wrapped up sales of more than 30,000 units alone in the domestic market, since its launch in July 2012. The glorious success story of French auto maker's compact SUV, entailed Mahindra and Mahindra Limited (M&M) to come up with their own product in the form of Quanto. M&M, the country's leading Utility Vehicle (UV), launched the Quanto compact SUV in the country in September 2012, amidst immense fanfare and media speculations. The car lived up to its pre-launch hype and is posing serious nightmares for Renault, at present. The India's favourite UV maker has already registered bookings of more than 6,000 units of Quanto compact SUV on the domestic turf.
The other top Indian market oriented automotive players like General Motors owned Chevrolet and Ford Motor Company have already lined up their own compact SUVs, waiting to be thrown into the domestic car market. The Indian arm of General Motors has set aside its Chevrolet Trax compact SUV to be introduced in the local market somewhere around mid 2013. Further, Ford India Private Limited (FIPL), a subsidiary of American auto major Ford Motor Co., has pledged that its much hyped compact SUV EcoSport will scorch the domestic roads by the end of first quarter of 2013.
There is a significant amount of action going on in the rumour-mill regarding Tata Motors' intentions of rolling out two new compact UVs dedicated at the Indian market as well. Evidently, the high differential between petrol and diesel fuel prices is being dubbed as prime reason behind the ever so inspiring emergence of compact SUVs in the country. Further, compact SUVs deliver better power, safety and comparable mileage, besides fulfilling all major small family needs and requirements. The evidence is out there and many new Quantos and Dusters are expected to emerge in Indian car market in the near future.
