Upcoming Cars for India in 2009

This title could send a mixed bag of emotions in the reader. It is sure to bring sneers even from the most optimistic of market watchers. New cars? And in these economic conditions? Yet, surprising as it may seem, if you thought that only the ardent fan of the Indian car industry will find some interest in the new introductions into the car market, you may be forced to think again.

Despite the heavy squeeze on car loans in a tight financial market and the doldrums major car manufacturers are optimistic about India's growing affluence.

And the surprise of surprises is that all the new brands slated for release in 2009 are from those manufacturers who are struggling for breath elsewhere in the world but are laying out big plans in India.

Here are some of the upcoming cars for India in 2009

Hyundai Santa Fe

This brand derives its name from the Spanish transliteration for Holy Faith. Hyundai needs a lot of this to introduce this brand in India. It may have been a 2008 Consumer Reports' Top Pick by being in this magazine's top ten brands in the US; yet, the ball game is different in India. This mid-size, premium SUV, with its steep price tag of Rs 23-26 Lakh, is sure to find attraction with not more than a small section of the market. It is expected to be tailored to Indian conditions, in which its 147 bhp engine may find little suitability.

Fiat Grande Punto

Fiat, with a long history of association with India, is planning to come out with yet another hatchback, the Grande Punto. Having taken off in 1993 in Europe as a replacement for the Fiat Uno, the Punto will be in its third generation when it takes off in India by the middle of 2009.

Its low price may have been its forte in Europe and US all those years back when it was far cheaper than the competition from Volkswagen and Opel, but this advantage may not apply in India. In the Indian car market, it will be placed in the Rs 5-7 Lakh range, where its immediate competitors, the Maruti Swift, Tata Indica Vista and the Hyundai i20 are placed.

As of now, there appears nothing revolutionary this car offers in relation to these brands, so it had better keep a watch on the price. It is likely to make a fierce ad pitch with its finessed Essessee Kit, which is expected to push up its performance but unfortunately this is not going to be standard.

Honda Jazz

Honda, one of the prime car brands in India is planning to introduce the Jazz around the middle of the year. This is sure to be sweet music to Indian car lovers, as this is going to be a rare hatchback into the Indian market from this esteemed company. With striking looks and a broad range of colours to choose from, the Jazz will be Honda's answer to Fiat Punto Grande and the Skoda Fabia. It is competitively priced in the range of Rs 5-6 Lakh.

Maruti Suzuki Ritz

After the success of its Swift, India's best selling car name introduced the A-Star in 2008. It plans to follow up on this introduction with another zestful, lively hatchback, the Maruti Suzuki Splash, which is now christened as Ritz. Expected around March, this model is slated as a follow up to the Zen Estilo, and is priced between Rs 4 and 5.5 Lakh. Given its varied and long experience of the Indian car market, one may not expect a flop from this veteran.

Toyota Fortuner

Scheduled for an early 2009 release, the Toyota Fortuner will be a full-fledged large SUV. Following the grand success of its now-discontinued Qualis, the Fortuner will test Toyota's fortunes. It will be locking horns with the upcoming Santa Fe and a bevy of existing SUVs. It is expected to carry a price tag of Rs 16-18 Lakh.