Sensational Small Cars Await Launch

The premium small car segment is going to be the busiest in the next few months. A slew of hot launches are lined up for India this year. Untill a coupled of years ago, there was no premium car segment at all. But the scene is set to change as some of India’s biggest car manufacturers’ plans to launch premium small cars over the next few months. In a year’s time it is going to be the most crowded segment in the Indian car industry.

The premium small cars cater to consumers who would like to maintain small cars that are more elegantly designed and fully loaded with modern amenities. A huge opportunity awaits the car manufactures due to upward mobility by consumers.

The new Maruti Suzuki Ritz has been launched. The maker claims that it is the most stylish and elegant car from its stable. Ritz is priced around Rs 5 Lakh to Rs 5.5 Lakh. It is the first car that complies to BS-IV emission norms. It is powered by a highly fuel efficient K12M engine, Ritz is hitting the markets in less than six years after A-Star was launched.

On the back of, the launch of Honda Jazz is awaited by many car buyers. Jazz will appear in showrooms in June this year. It prices start from Rs 7 Lakh onwards, which is marginally lower than cost of a Honda City. Honda has given it all its signature features including the airbags and G-Con technology. It is likely to have anti-lock braking system too. It has been given a spacious headroom and legroom. When launched next month, it will be the most costliest hatchback in India.

Soon after this, Volkswagen plans to brig out its small car Polo. It is expected to be launched in late 2009 or early 2010. The trial production for Polo has already started it Volkswagen’s facility in Chakan near Pune. Polo is a strategic product for Volkswagen which plans to increase its market share. As a small car Polo is likely to generate high sales volume. A Polo sedan is also in the pipeline. So far Volkswagen’s presence in India is limited to its luxury sedans Passat and Jetta. Volkswagen wants to launch a small family car.

Another major launch is likely to come from Fiat Motors. Even while it is making big news in the international market, Fiat has not lost focus on the Indian car market. The small car lined up for launches are -500, Bravo, Grande Punto and others. The company recently launched the stylish sedan Linea. The next products to hit the market are either Grande Punto or Bravo. Its existing small cars Palio and Palio Stile are fetching decent sales. Al Fiat products are likely to be priced around Rs 10 Lakh.

Indian car buyers are going pt have a festival of cars in the coming months. Sales are going to be high and the auto market is expected to be buoyant.