New Hatchback Cars Soon to Launch in India

The global automobile giants are now eyeing India as a hot spot to sell there machines. Be it a small car section, hatchback section, Sedan section or SUV section these giants are very keen to launch their products in India.  This is the result of the economic boom in the automobile industry in India. In the last decade, the population that can afford a four-wheeler has increased drastically. Earlier it was only the upper middle class and elite class who could think of buying a four-wheeler buy in today’s scenario even a middle middle-class individual can have one.

The most poplar car on Indian road you can see very often is the hatchback cars. These cars are very popular among the middle class section as well as the upper class section. Most of the launches in last few years were the hatchbacks. They are comfortable, they are spacious, they are luxurious too and most importantly, they are affordable. When these key features when combine with latest technology and superb design, the result is a masterpiece for sure.
Following are the latest Six Hatchback models that can enter Indian Market in near future:

• Maruti Cervo:

The most popular automobile giant is India is Maruti. Maruti has launched maximum number of small and hatchback cars in India. Maruti’s Alto has been the best selling car for two consecutive years and still tops the list. The entrant in the hatchback section would be Maruti Cervo. The hatchback is likely to be equipped with a K6A DOHC engine with VVT. The 660cc engine will offer 54bhp. It will be loaded with 4-speed auto gearbox and bluetooth capability. Suzuki has sold Cervo in Japan for many years. The car may be priced below Rs 200,000 to compete with Tata Nano as well as othet yet to be launched small cars.

• Hyundai i30 :

Hyundai is by far India’s second largest passenger car maker and it may soon launch its internationally successful model i30 in India. The car known for its refinement, interior space and fuel economy will hit Indian roads in early 2011. The launch of C segment hatchback i30 will the next big thing for Hyundai after successful launches of i10 and i20 in India.
According to Rediff.com “Hyundai i30 is likely to be launched in both petrol and diesel versions with manual and automatic transmission options. Considering the South Korean company's understanding of the Indian market along with its network of dealers, i30 is most likely to be a successful product after its launch.”

• Fiat Bravo:

Fiat’s new car with sleek design the hatchback Bravo may hit Indian roads by the end of this year. The car is equipped with a 1.9 Ltr Multijet engine that delivers maximum power of 150 bhp at 4000 rpm and maximum torque of 305 nm at 2000 rpm. It can cover 0-100kph in 9 seconds.Bravo was first showcased at the Geneva Motor Show in Germany in 2007.
According to Rediff.com “Equipped with cutting-edge technology, Bravo offers a slew of useful features and plush interiors. Fiat is expecting Bravo to both expand its market share in India as well as enhance its brand image.”

• Mahindra Renault Sandero:

Indian small and hatchback car market is growing with a fast pace. The automobile giants do not want to loose this opportunity. So, Mahindra Renault also planning to launch its Hatchback model “Renault Sandero” in India. IN the international market the car is manufactured by Renault's subsidiary Dacia. The Mahindra Renault’s Manufacturing plant at Nashik is likely to produce Sandero. The car is 4.02 meters in length with storage capacity of 320 litres.
According to Rediff.com “It is likely to be launched in both petrol and diesel versions. The features of the car will include anti lock braking system, a rail direct injection 1.5 dCi engine and padded doors. Sandero will be Renault's entry into the fast growing small car segment of India. The Indian joint venture partner Mahindra will also get foothold in the small passenger car segment of the country. Sandero may arrive in India by the end of 2010.”

• Volkswagen Up:

The Europian Automobile giant, Volkswagen, is very keen about the fast growing small car market of India. Its recently launched compact car Polo has seen considerable success in a very short period. Now they are planning to launch another compact hatchback car “Up” in India. This four-seater car is coming up with a unique flat folding seat system which is more comfortable and fits every body shape as they are air inflatable.
According to Rediff.com “The hatchback will be equipped with a unique central display with two monitors. One 8 inch monitor shows the vehicle speed, while the second 7 inch monitor controls radio volume, music selection, climate control, telephone and navigation. Up is likely to be priced around Rs 300,000. The hatchback may be launched in India by the end of this year.”

• Nissan March:

Nissan, the Japanese Automobile manufacturer may launch its “Nissan March” in India. In the international markets i.e. outside Asia the car was launched as “Nissan Micra” instead of “Nissan March”. This hatchback car will enter the passenger car market in India. March is likely to be manufactured at Nissan's plant in Oragadam. Renault Nissan joint venture is going to invest $833 million in the manufacturing plant of March with capacity to churn out 4,00,000 cars.
According to Rediff.com “The cars manufactured here will be sold in domestic market as well as exported to overseas markets. March will be competing with with Chevrolet Spark and Hyundai i10 in India. The car is likely to be launched in mid of this year.” 

The Corolla Altis should provide stiff competition for the Honda Civic and Skoda Laura

Toyota Kirloskar Motor has launched the 10th generation Corolla – the Corolla Altis – in India. The car, with which Toyota will take on the Honda Civic, Skoda Laura, VW Jetta, and other cars in the Indian entry-level D-segment, is priced between Rs 10.83 to 12.86 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi.

Like with the earlier Corolla, the only engine option on the new Corolla Altis will be Toyota’s proven 1.8-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine with variable valve timing. A five-speed manual gearbox, ABS, dual front airbags, CD-player and multi-function steering-mounted controls are standard on the Altis, while the top-end variant gets automatic transmission and power-adjustable driver’s seat.

Toyota, which sold around 50,000 vehicles in India last year, currently has a 2.7% market share in the country. With the launch of its small car in 2010, the Japanese carmaker intends to increase its market share in India. In the meanwhile, TKM aims to sell around 2,000 units of the Corolla Altis every month.

 While delivering his keynote address on ‘Making India a Global Automotive Export Hub’ at SIAM’s annual convention yesterday, Kamal Nath, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, said that auto exports from India should reach US$25 billion in the next decade.

Nath also said the Indian government will play its part in reaching that figure, by enabling policy framework and by providing support in terms of infrastructure. ‘The auto sector should take advantage of these and leverage their strengths for expanding to other parts of the world,’ he said.

According to Nath, by 2015, India could well be the destination of choice for design and manufacture of automotive components and vehicles. ‘The Indian automobile industry today is all about scale. Maruti hopes to have a capacity of one million cars by 2010, Hyundai is looking at 600,000 cars in another year, Toyota is talking about 200,000 cars by year end, the Nissan Renault venture is planning a capacity of 400,000 cars. GM and Honda are setting up new plants, as is Tata for its Nano,’ said Nath.

‘The future challenges for the Indian automobile industry would be to develop a supply base with emphasis on lower costs and economies of scale, develop technical and human capabilities, overcome infrastructural bottlenecks, stimulate domestic demand and exploit export and international business opportunities,’ said Nath.

Speaking on the current slowdown witnessed by the auto industry, Nath said, ‘I believe this is a passing phase. Given the auto sector’s inherent strength, coupled with the dynamism and entrepreneurial spirit of its business leaders, we shall soon be motoring along and be well on our way to becoming a global automotive hub.’