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: in India. The company has recently launched a new HAWK engine in the Scorpio and had introduced a new Bolero in the second half of 2007. It is also planning to come up with its first hybrid model in India in 18 months. The car will be powered by a 2.2-liter diesel and electric engine. Even Tata Motors is following suit, unveiling as it did the Sumo Grande at the auto expo, expecting that the new vehicle would further add to the sales of the company.

Not just this, despite a comparatively low volume of CBUs, auto manufacturers prefer selling them in India to widen their product portfolio. “India has a variety of customers and to be a successful auto manufacturer in the country, companies need to have products across all segments as it increases footfalls in their showrooms,” adds the auto analyst.

“With people getting greater exposure, there has been a rising desire to create an identity for oneself. And nothing other than the SUVs can help create that sporty look which youngsters aspire to have in the face of changing lifestyles,” says Ankush Arora, vice-president, General Motor India. The company has recently launched the Captiva and plans to sell around 1,000 units in 2008. The vehicle, fitted with a next-generation VCDi diesel engine, is being positioned as a contemporary diesel vehicle instead of traditional diesel ones like the Ford Endeavour and the Pajero, or the contemporary petrol vehicle like the CR-V.

Even the upcoming Volkswagen Tiguan, on display at the auto expo, is a multipurpose all-wheel-drive vehicle and exhibits van qualities. Its engine power ranges from 103 Kw to 147 kW. To be launched by the middle of 2008, the car will be priced around Rs 20 lakh.

Also the Santa Fe, unveiled at the auto expo, is all set to hit Indian roads. It will again be sold in India as a CBU, but is expected to be priced a little higher that its peer. “The Santa Fe will be a premium sport utility vehicle and will be priced at around Rs 25 lakh,” says Arvind Saxena, senior vice-president, Hyundai Motor India Ltd.