As India’s passenger vehicle and two-wheeler sales are expected to grow in full swing during 2017-18, a number of original equipment manufacturer (OEMs) in the private vehicles (PV) and two-wheeler segments have lined up models that are expected to further boost volumes. Many of them like Maruti, Hyundai, HMSI, Yamaha, Fiat Chrysler, etc., are coming up with gamechanging products which are likely to disrupt the market. Nearly 20-odd new vehicles are expected to hit the market by March next year.
Close on the heels of launching an all-new Dzire this month, Maruti Suzuki is actively working on a slew of upgrades and all-new products that will be available during this fiscal. According to well-informed sources who did not wish to be named, India’s largest carmaker is gearing up to launch the next-generation Swift during Auto Expo 2018.
Expected to be built at the company’s new facility at Gujarat, 2018 Maruti Suzuki Swift is likely to be 120kg lighter than its predecessor and will offer better performance and higher fuel efficiency. Apart from retaining existing powerplants, a mild-hybrid variant and an AMT version is also likely to be offered when it is launched.
C.V. Raman, Executive Director-Engineering, maintained, “We don’t talk about our future product plans (like Swift). What I can confirm is that we are working on quite a few new products and mid-cycle refreshes which has been a regular exercise.”
Hyundai India, the country’s second largest carmaker, is gearing up to launch its fourth SUV by 2018 after brining in the Creta, Tucson and Santa Fe. The sub-four metre SUV will be positioned below the Creta and is estimated to be priced in the range of Rs 7-12 lakh. It is widely believed that the compact SUV will be the production version of the Hyundai Carlino concept car unveiled at the 2016 Auto Expo.
The Indian arm of the South Korean carmaker has already announced that the development process of its fourth SUV at its global and Indian R&D centre is in full swing and will go on sale in India in the first half of 2019.
“We are working on some groundbreaking products, including an SUV for India,” revealed Rakesh Srivastava, director (marketing and sales) at Hyundai Motor India, without sharing the details.
Yamaha India is also reportedly working on a fully-faired version of the FZ S which is currently undergoing trial runs. Rumoured to be called R2, it is likely to be equipped with similar 250cc engines powering existing Yamaha models like the FZ 250.
When contacted on email, Yamaha India spokesperson didn’t share the details.
Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt Ltd (HMSI) has recently announced commencement of bookings for the all new Honda CRF1000L Africa Twin motorcycle in India. Africa Twin, the flagship adventure-tourer motorcycle from Honda’s global line-up is the first 1000cc ‘Make in India’ model by HMSI.
FCA India, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, is all set to roll out the Jeep Compass from its Ranjangaon manufacturing facility near Pune by June 2017.
The company, which had invested $280 million in the Jeep Compass project, has also announced two powertrain options that will be offered with the Jeep Compass – the 160+ HP, 250 Nm multi-air petrol and the 170+ HP, 350 Nm Diesel.
Kevin Flynn, president and managing director, FCA India, said, “The local production schedule of the Jeep Compass is firmly on track and we are all set to begin local production of the Jeep brand’s Global SUV by June this year. The Jeep Compass will come with several industry-first features and will set benchmarks in the Indian SUV space.”
Volkswagen India has just announced the launch of the Tiguan SUV which is priced at Rs 27.68 lakh (ex-showroom Mumbai) and is available in two trims, i.e., comfortline and highline.
German luxury carmaker Audi AG, which has completed over a decade of its existence in India, is all set to launch A5 during this calendar year. Its competitor BMW is also focusing on all-new 5-Series for the Indian market.
BW Reporters
The author is a Principal Correspondent at BW Businessworld.
