Cars Launches in India in 2010

The auto market in India is getting more competitive by the day and auto enthusiasts are waiting with bated breath for the release of upcoming cars in 2010. There are a slew of launches slated for this year and among the list of upcoming cars in 2010, are cars from various categories having innovative features, in tune with the current user needs. The assorted list comprises family cars, sports utility vehicles and the highly resourceful multi-utility automobiles. The article explores few of the much awaited upcoming cars in 2010.

Hyundai Avante:

Hyundai Avante will be the refurbished version of the Elantra. The innovative details and contemporary looks have added to the appeal of Hyundai Avante. Hyundai Avante will have a roomy cabin, advanced instruments and soothing blue backlighting. Twin front airbags, digital climate control and refined machine make up the other features. The car looks best from the rear with the corolla type tail lamps and chunky bumper. Hyundai Avante would have 2 litre DOHC petrol engine and a 1.6 liter CRDi diesel engine. It would be priced between Rs. 9-11 lakh.

Nissan March:

Nissan March marks Nissan's entry into the automatic passenger car market and it will be launched in the A segment and will have 80% of localization. Nissan March is one of the nine cars the company plans to launch in the Indian auto market.

Skoda Fabia Combi:

Skoda is set to launch Fabia Combi at a price less than Rs 10 lakh with main focus on comfort, mileage and performance. Although Ford Fusion might pose a challenge, Fabia Combi will create its own place in the heart of Indian car lovers. Fabia Combi will compete with Tata Indigo Marina and Chevrolet Optra SRV. Fabia Combi is 7 mm longer and 46 mm higher and has headlamps that carry a distinct look and traditional front grille. The vertical bars and Skoda logo complete the look of the car. Additionally there will be some radical changes in the interiors of the Fabia Combi.

Audi A5:

Audi A5 is a delight for Audi lovers. Audi A5 is a coupe that changes the concept of car design and it is in sync with the modern designs. Audi A5 has a vintage appeal which is accentuated with the uber chic charm and flat roof enhanced by a sweeping touch of the roofline. Audi A5 has grace and charisma and the broad bumpers and striking spoiler lip augment the look. Audi A5 also commands attention by its sheer presence. Long wheelbase, broad wheel track, 360 degree safety concept, two-stage full-size air-bag for the driver's seat are the other features included.

Maruti Kizashi:

Maruti is contemplating a D segment entry with the all new Maruti Kizashi. Maruti Kizashi is slated to be launched in early 2010 and it is likely to compete with Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Skoda Octavia and the upcoming Volkswagen Jetta. Maruti Kizashi will have a list of innovative features like six speed transmission, 21 inch alloys, and six-speed transmission. Maruti Kizashi will be produced at the company's Manesar facility in Haryana.

Volvo XC60:

Volvo XC60 is a slick and stylish concept car by Volvo with great exteriors bearing resemblance to the Ford Iosis concepts. Volvo XC60 is based on the Land Rover LR2 platform and is available in gasoline - and diesel-burning engines but is region specific. Volvo XC60 employs the modified version of Volvo P24- platform.

Volkswagen Up:

Volkswagen Up is the small car from Volkswagen and the cheapest car from the Volkswagen stables. Volkswagen Up debuted at the2007 Frankfurt Auto Show in Germany and the cars name is synonymous with departure, activity, dynamics and the future. Volkswagen Up has unique central displays, two monitors; one 8 inch monitor which displays the vehicle speed, fuel level and range, as well as the CO2 emissions. The 7 inch monitor controls climate control, radio volume, music selection, telephone, navigation, photos and movies.

Volkswagen Polo:

Volkswagen Polo is developed from the principles of the new Volkswagen "Design DNA". The Volkswagen Polo is a purposeful and impressive car, which measures 3,970 millimeters in length and is 1,682 millimeters wide. It offers space for up to five people and a lot of luggage with its 280 to 952 liters capacity. Volkswagen Polo has a more dynamic stance and purposeful appearance with sharp designs, precise lines sans the stylistic gimmicks. Volkswagen Polo has two different headlights and integrated in the headlights are the turn signal lights. Volkswagen Polo has external and internal design features of the headlights with different lighting elements that combine with the lines of the radiator grille to form one unit.

Toyota Prius:

The 2010 Toyota Prius is a hybrid model with a powerful 98-horsepower and 1.8-liter Atkinson-cycle engine. Toyota Prius is combined with electric motor hybrid system, 134 horsepower and improved fuel economy to an EPA estimated 51/48 city/hwy mpg and a combined 50 mpg. Toyota Prius has new Hybrid Synergy Drive system, new inverter, 20 percent weight reduction and new electronically-controlled regenerative braking system. Toyota Prius has three driving modes like EV Mode on battery power at low speed, Power Mode with increased throttle response and Eco Mode for best fuel efficiency.

Skoda Yeti:

Skoda Yeti is the much awaited SUV from Skoda. Skoda Yeti is the cheaper alternative to Hyundai Tucson, Honda CR-V, Chevrolet Captiva, Suzuki Grand Vitara and the Mitsubishi Outlander. Skoda Yeti will reflect the beauty and power of both Fabia and Octavia and will be placed in between these two cars. It will be predominantly built with a front wheel drive configuration. Skoda Yeti is 4.2 meter long, has five-door and impressive front end with a ribbed grille and stylish headlamps. Skoda Yeti has innovative seating options like three bucket seats in the last row. Skoda Yeti will be priced around Rs 10 lakhs.

Tata Indicruz:

Tata Indicruz MPV is a much awaited vehicle from the Tata stables. Tata Indicruz will compete with Honda CR-V and Volvo XC90. Tata Indicruz will have airbags, ABS, automatic climate control and cruise control. The current version of the Tata Indicruz seems much like the more rounded, Innova look alike. The car would be priced at just 20 per cent above that of the recently launched Tata Sumo Grande Mark II.

Hyundai i30:

After the success of i10 and i20 cars in India, i30 is going to be the next big launch for the company. Hyundai i30 will be available in both petrol and diesel versions. Offering a class leading combination of comfort and refinement, interior space, economy and exceptional levels of standard equipment, the car is a complete all-round package. The launch of i30 is likely to be successful in the country, more so, considering Hyundai's strong network of dealers as well as its past successful stint.

Tata Aria:

Tata Aria is slated to be launched in the second half of 2010 and was unveiled at the Auto Expo in New Delhi in January 2010. Tata Aria is a crossover between a sports utility vehicle and a multi utility vehicle. Tata Aria will offer robust performance with comfort, owing to its unique design. The interiors of Tata Aria will offer three rows of theatre style seating, 3D surround sound, dimming roof lamps, built in GPS and a state-of-the-art infotainment system. Tata Aria is equipped with multi functional steering wheel, air conditioning with automatic climate control and cruise control. The high end version of Tata Aria comes with 6 airbags.

Maruti Cervo:

Leading family car manufacturer Maruti is planning to launch Maruti Cervo by the end of this year. Maruti Cervo will be equipped with 54bhp 660cc engine. It will bear resemblance to Honda Fit and the interiors will resemble Swift or SX4. K6A DOHC engine with VVT, 4-speed auto gearbox and bluetooth capabilities are the other features included. Maruti Cervo will be priced between Rs 2 Lakh to Rs 3 Lakh.

The wide range of cars that are geared up to hit the Indian roads in 2010, are awaited with much fervor by auto enthusiasts.

Figo Drives New Sales Records For Ford

The all-new Ford Figo has received more than 10,000 orders less than one month after it went on sale, a new Ford India record. In response to the strong demand, Ford India will launch a second production shift at its plant in Chennai.

The Figo’s popularity helped Ford India’s overall March sales more than triple from the same month a year ago, rising an impressive 203 percent to 9,478 units. The exceptional March performance, which also included strong sales of Ford Ikon, Ford Fiesta, and Ford Endeavour, were nearly triple Ford India’s February sales, increasing 194 percent.

“We are delighted at the initial response to Figo, and are incredibly proud to have struck such a positive chord with Indian consumers,” said Michael Boneham, president and managing director of Ford India. “The launch of Figo is the start of a transformed Ford in India, and a true reflection of our commitment to delivering world-class products that allow Indian customers to feel the difference.”

Part of Ford’s US$500-million investment in India, Figo was designed and engineered with Indian customers in mind – including months of exhaustive customer clinic research and thorough testing in both simulated and actual road evaluations.

Aimed squarely at more than 70 percent of the country’s new vehicle market, Figo has significantly bolstered Ford’s competitive position. This has been one of the best launch response and volumes achieved in the first month of sale by manufacturers in India’s automotive history.

The Figo is one of the more than 20 new vehicles Ford is introducing globally in 2010. The new cars, trucks and SUVs, which offer class-leading fuel economy, quality, safety and technology, represent substantially more new or freshened product by volume than was introduced in 2009.

During the course of this journey, more than 900,000 people visited the Ford Figo homepage www.fordfigo.in to know more about the car and spent and average of over 8 minutes on the website. In addition, thousands of people joined Ford Figo communities across social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter.

“As we remain committed to redefining the Ford brand in India, we expect this momentum to continue,” said Boneham. “Factors such as the initial price of the car, fuel efficiency and cost of maintenance are critical in determining affordability for a new car buyer. Indian customers are confirming that Figo solidly delivers on all of these.”

With longer intervals of key maintenance components due to better durability, competitive cost of the parts and the short time required for vehicle servicing, Figo is placed among the leaders in scheduled service over a 5 year/100,000 kilometre period.

As part of ongoing efforts to demonstrate its competitive cost of ownership, Ford India recently announced the opening of 28 dealerships in India, bringing the total number of Ford outlets to 164 facilities in 97 cities. The company plans to expand to 200 facilities by the end of the year.

Merc set to bring A Class premium compact to India

In India the automobile market is dominated by compact cars. to join the race in the small car segment, Mercedes Benz is planning to bring its small car, the A Class, to India, a top official said.


Benz is planning to bring its small car, the A Class, to India, a top official said.


“The competition is heating up in the small car segment and we plan to bring our small car, the A Class, to the Indian market within two years,” Peter Trettin, president & CEO of Daimler, Central and Eastern Europe, Africa and Asia, said.


The A Class model has sold over 680,000 units worldwide since its launch in 2004. It was positioned as the trailblazer for a new vehicle segment.


Mercedes-Benz plans to expand its premium compact vehicle portfolio comprising the A and B Class from two to four models starting end-2011. The future models will offer product attributes that are already popular among A and B Class customers, such as a spacious interior. The models will also set a new tone through the introduction of additional variants and concepts.


Trettin said the company would position the A Class as its entry-level car in the Indian market. “It will be priced competitively to get a foothold in the market,” said Trettin. He was visiting the 100-acre greenfield plant at Chakan near Pune, in which the company has invested Euro 50 million.


Trettin said the Indian economy was growing rapidly and with it the aspirations of the people for better cars compared to the regions he was overseeing. “With the growth in the Indian economy, we expect the demand for our products to rise considerably,” he said.


Wilfried Aulbur, MD and CEO, Mercedes Benz India, claimed sales had picked up since December. “In 2010, the luxury car segment grew 80 per cent, but Mercedes Benz has grown 157 per cent and this is without the GL launch,” he pointed out.


The Mercedes Benz GL Class is a crossover sports utility vehicle and it matches, size-wise, Audi’s Q7 and BMW’s X5.


The company’s bus order book was full till September, mainly from the state transport departments, Aulbur said, but did not disclose volumes. “Demand in the market is picking up rapidly,” he added.


Trettin said the commercial vehicles market in India was doing well compared to other markets where sales had fallen by 90 per cent. “Eastern Europe and Central Europe were suffering and the company had to buy back stocks from the dealers and distribute them in other markets,” he said. The Middle East also saw a dip in commercial vehicles sales, he added.


Trettin said that from 24,000 trucks and 24,000 vans sold in 2008, sales were down to 9,000 each of trucks and vans in 2009.

Hyundai to launch 800 cc car both for India and export markets

Hyundai Motor India Limited (HTML) is planning to launch its 800 cc small car by 2011-12. The wholly owned subsidiary of Hyundai Motors Company is taking this step foreseeing the demand for small cars which is likely to touch 2 million units in India by the time this car gets to launch here. The Hyundai 800 cc cars will be both for Indian market and exports markets.


But the company made a clear remark that it had no intentions to give a competition to Nano as it does not have the capacity to manufacture Rs. 1 lakh car.


Hyundai is planning to undertake the production of this new 800 cc variant on the tunes of Maruti 800 and is supposed to hit the market with an affordable range. Hyundai is the largest seller of the small car


segment. Its current best seller is i10 but Hyundai plans to offer a car at a price tag lower than i10 this time.


“We hope to bring our smaller car than Santro, which will be an 800 cc vehicle, by 2011,” said H S Lheem, Managing Director Hyundai Motors India. He, however, did not divulge details like price range of the car. The car is aimed to hit not only the Indian domestic market but the company also plans to cater to the export market as well. The design of the car will be prepared in Korea.


The research and development work has already started at R&D centers at Hyderabad and Namyam (Korea). The company however has not revealed much about the product specification but there are anticipations that this car would be a petrol variant with 800 cc engine. These units have the capacity to manufacture 20,000 units per month and 600,000 units per year. HMIL has also promised a preview of its i20 car in the hatch back segment with a code name PB at the Paris Auto Tariff Show on October 2.


Hyundai is probably impressed by what Maruti 800 did to the Indian small car segment. Maruti Udyog happens to be the only company that boasts of having a monopoly in the small car segment in India. Hyundai’s new 800 cc car is bound to face tough competition from Maruti’s Alto, Maruti 800 and Spark. The company aims to take forward this sensation by launching yet another affordable small car, looking at the growing market of small cars in India.