The Auto Expo 2012 would best be remembered for the emergence of a completely new segment in the automobile industry ? compact sports utility vehicle (SUV).
Companies like Ford, Maruti, Nissan and Renault have all launched respective models in this segment. Though none of the car makers hav revealed the price of their vehicles, it is learnt that these cars would be under R9 lakh.
Ford Motor on Thursday took the covers off its global SUV, the EcoSport, targeted at the fast-growing compact car segment in the country. The US auto giant said it would invest $142 million (R750 crore) at its Chennai plant to manufacture the model for the domestic and export markets.?Around 70% of all cars sold in India are from the small and compact car segments where the EcoSport is positioned,? said Michael Boneham, managing director of Ford India. The five-seater EcoSport will be powered by a 1-litre three-cylinder engine.
Maruti’s multi-purpose vehicle, the Ertiga, has also been unveiled at the 2012 Auto Expo. The Ertiga is India’s first three-row MPV and will be launched by end of March or early April 2012. ?We would like to start the sale of this car as quick as possible. But possibly, the commercial roll-out would begin by end of March or beginning of April this year,? Maruti Suzuki India managing director and CEO, Shinzo Nakanishi said.
Without specifying the price of the new car, the company said: ?It will be attractively priced.? Maruti Suzuki also unveiled its compact SUV XA Alpha as the company aims to enter into newer segments.
“India is on course to becoming one of the top automobile economies of the world, powered by the middle class and continued government support. Customers will become more and more sophisticated.The choice of automobile will be dictated more and more by the way of life of customers. We will launch new products and create new categories to their choice,” Nakanishi said. The concept XA Alpha showcases the unified R&D of Suzuki Motor Corp and Maruti Suzuki India.
Nissan unveiled its multi-utility vehicle Evalia, though the company remained tight lipped on the price before it formally rolls it out by the year-end. A crossover Duster from Renault stables would also be launched before Diwali in the domestic market, Renault India managing director Marc Nassif said. However, Hyundai Motors India, the second largest carmaker by numbers in India has a different take on this.
?A SUV is not only SUV by shape or exterior style. It has to have that power and capabilities of offroading, which is difficult to have in this price segment and with these engine sizes,? said Arvind Saxena, director (marketting), Hyundai India. The company manufacturers Santa Fe, a SUV that costs over R20 lakh.
