Indian auto market has attracted various global auto majors owing to its massive potential and growing interest in the international brands. Several automotive giants have established their manufacturing facilities in the country, including Renault, Nissan, Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz and Toyota, among others, with many still venturing in the Indian economy.
Heading the bandwagon, Datsun, the Nissan-owned brand, will be soon foraying in the Indian market and will particularly target the small car segment. Datsun is Nissan's low budget brand and is believed to cater the demands of India's price conscious buyers. Under Datsun, Nissan is looking ahead to consolidate its position in the Indian market and will produce cars within sub-Rs. 4 lacs price range. The upcoming brand is set to witness a direct face-off with India's favourite Maruti Suzuki Alto and WagonR.
Fiat has also lined up in the series with its plans to introduce its iconic Jeep brand in India. It is anticipated that the Italian auto maker will bring its Grand Cherokee and Wrangler models in the country by this year's end. Reportedly, Wrangler will be offered between a price bracket of Rs. 23 lacs and Rs. 35 lacs.
Following the league, an arm of South Korean-based Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors could also be entering the Indian markets this year. Earlier, the company refrained from venturing into India, citing reasons to be slack growth which was recorded four years ago. However, the situation has now well-reversed since then and the auto maker is again studying the pattern of Indian auto market and reportedly, the company has hired a third party company to evaluate the scenario of Indian auto market.
SEAT S.A., the wholly owned Spanish subsidiary of Volkswagen (VW) group, also seems interested to invest in the Indian auto market. With the rumours of SEAT's entry in the market, it is expected that VW is trying to gain a strong foothold in the Indian automotive sector. The company has a comprehensive model line-up, which could strike the right chords with Indian car enthusiasts. The company's Indian fleet could feature the Ibiza hatchback, based on VW Polo, Exeo, a mid-priced sedan between Jetta and Passat, and Alhambra, a Multi Purpose Vehicle (MPV) .
The auto maker from France, Peugeot, also seems set to again mark its presence in the Indian auto market. However, the model line-up of the company is not yet defined as either it could contain hatchback or sedans or both. It is expected that Peugeot 508 sedan will be the company's first car to hit the Indian market as a completely built unit (CBU), as the Peugeot's plans of establishing a new production facility in Sanand, Gujarat did not substantiate. Accordingly, the resultant pricing could be a bit of concern for the Indian buyers.
Last in the league happens to be SsangYong Motors, a part of the Mahindra and Mahindra (M&M), which is reported to launch its products in the country before the end of this year. The Indian portfolio of SsangYong Motors could feature the Rexton W premium SUV and Korando Premium SUV.
Considering the above models from overseas auto makers, it can be concluded that the Indian auto aficionados will surely have a lot more to choose from in the near future. Besides, competition in the market will reach cut-throat level, making it difficult for the novice to decide which way to go for.
