SUVs Rule Day 1 at Auto Expo 2012
Indian consumers will see more bigger and heavier vehicles on their roads this year
In a sign of changing lanes in the Indian automotive industry, the flavour of the first day of Auto Expo 2012 was bigger and heavier. Led by the country’s largest and original small carmaker, Maruti Suzuki, nearly 10 new sports utility vehicle (SUVs) models were unveiled in the national capital. As General Motors marketing vice president P. Balendran said: “The young customers in India increasingly want more powerful and cool-looking cars.”
The bigger machines shared the limelight with new models of scooters from Suzuki and Yamaha and iconic motorbikes from Triumph, which announced its entry into India. The first day of the country’s biggest automobile exhibition gave an idea of what is in store for Indian consumers. Here are a few worth mentioning.
SLS AMG, M Class and Concept by Mercedes Benz: Mercedes aims to ride on youth power to get back market share from the BMWs and Audis. Leading its charge is the new uber-cool SLS roadster with a 6208cc V8 engine, the new M class with a 2987cc V6 engine, and a new concept car. All were unveiled by the celebrities lined up there – Farhan Akhtar, Chetan Bhagat and Irfan Pathan. The young fashion designer, Masbah Gupta, daughter of Nina Gupta and Vivian Richards, was also present.
Thunderbird by Royal Enfield: A more powerful version of the last one, a 500cc motorcycle. It is also sleeker, has more powerful headlamps, LED tail lamps and better designed tank which accentuates its powerful tone. The pricing would be unveiled later this year when the model is introduced in the market. CEO and MD Siddharth Lal played the model, and came dressed in a Royal Enfield Jacket and black boots. Someone asked, “Is he a hero?”
Sonata, and Hexa Space Concept by Hyundai Motors India: Hyundai unveiled its new Sonata, which has already been launched earlier in the US as a different variant, and also launched the Hexa Space concept. Code named HND-7, this is a SUV with touch screen controls, something that can ease travel on congested roads, should this concept graduate to a workable model. This concept is perhaps the most muscular vehicle seen from Hyundai and was a worldwide premier.
Dream Yuga, CBR 150R and others by Honda Motors and Scooters India Ltd: Honda launched what can be the most potent competition to its erstwhile partner Hero. As the bike Dream Yuga was unveiled, music came in from the Hero Motor Corp pavilion and seemed to get louder, as if an old ghost returned to haunt. It is priced at around Rs. 46,000 ex- showroom, which is very competitive. In all, Honda unveiled seven new models, in which the key launch was of the 110cc model and that of the CBR 150R model, which we were told, would be priced below Rs. 1,20,000.
Tavera Neo 3 and Captiva 2.2 AT by Chevrolet (GM India): The new Captiva, the top-end offering of Chevy in India, looks like the big brother of the earlier one. More power, more class. To be launched later this year, it sports a 2.2 litre engine. They also upgraded the Tavera, to a 2.5 litre direct injection engine and a diesel 2 litre variant and with completely new interiors and dashboard.
Volvo Buses: For its part, Volvo also launched its own models, the 9400 PX, which would be priced over its current premium offering of Rs. 90 lakh, and the 9100, which would be on the other side – that is pull down the current starting range of Rs. 70 lakh. The 9400 PX is a luxury bus with a 11 litre engine, and cranks out the highest power among all its current offerings. The 9100 has a 7 litre engine.
XA Alpha by Maruti Suzuki: The company’s first ever SUV concept, the 4-wheel drive vehicle was a result of 10 months of R&D by five Maruti engineers. It is inspired by Indian wrestling. Maruti did say it is just a concept.
Concept One Plus One sports car by Jaguar: With a top speed of 186mph and capable of doing 0-62,ph in 4.4 seconds, the concept car has eight-speed gearbox. Its next generation feature includes advanced climate control and intelligent venting system.
Defender Concept and Defender Concept 100 Sport by Land Rover: Both are based on a common lightweight, mixed-alloy platform.
Peugeot: At the Auto Expo, Hall no 12-A, you could make out that Peugeot was a first timer. Senior executives were not comfortable starting the press conference late. But then Pawan Goenka of Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M), Peugeot’s neighbour, had all the attention of most reporters for Mahindra Navistar. Peugeot came in with all their products and technology and were keen to get feedback. Throughout the event, Peugeot just talked about Peugeot and the successful cars the company has made in the past. They talked about what they are capable of doing. Frederic Fabre, India managing director of Peugeot, made an interesting point about his company. “From our neighbours in Germany, we learnt attention to quality. From the Swiss we learnt precision, but Peugeot is an unmistakably French brand.” Yes, Peugeot will have to prove all of that whenever it launches in India.
Triumph Motorcycles: Triumph had a very practical approach to the whole product launch business. 7 motorcycles, two sentences to explain each of them and the price. Triumph bikes should go on sale starting this June. Price range starts from Rs. 5,50,000 for the modern Bonneville to the Rs. 17,50,000 Rocket III roadster.
Mini: BMW group launched the Mini (Mini Cooper and Mini Cooper S), Mini Cooper convertible and Mini Cooper S Countryman in India. These vehicles will be completely built up units. You should be able to order your Mini from the company's three exclusive outlets in New Delhi and Mumbai. Ex showroom Delhi price of the Mini Cooper is Rs. 24,90,000 and for the Mini Cooper S Countryman: Rsm 31, 99, 000. Enter--the premium small car segment in India!
BMW: BMW, India's largest selling luxury car maker launched the new BMW M5 and also showed its Vision ConnectedDrive concept study. This is nothing but bringing more intelligence in your car. The M5 was launched at a price of Rs. 95,90,000. Ex showroom Delhi.
