Global auto giants peg tent, seek to ride local roads

The Indian automobile market has been in slowdown mode but with 60 new product launches lined up at the upcoming Auto Expo, it is clear that vehicle makers abroad as well as in India are still upbeat on the long-term prospects of this market.

During the expo, at least five new global brands will be launched in India. French car major PSA Peugeot is slated to announce entry into India, Triumph Motorcycles will bring its high end bikes, Piaggio will cart in Vespa brand of scooters, BMW will bring in the Mini as well as its high-end bikes under BMW Motorrad, and American major Paccar Trucks will also announce its launch plans for India.

Not to be outdone, Indian vehicle makers are also lining up a bevy of launches.

Bajaj Auto is finally expected to unveil a passenger version of its four wheeler (but not in collaboration with French major Renault SA) which could well prove to be a competitor to the Tata Nano. Tata Motors is expected to launch a small car positioned between the Indica and the Nano; it is also unveiling the diesel Nano, which may give a mind-boggling 40 km to a litre mileage.

Maruti Suzuki India will enter the sports utility vehicle (SUV) segment by launching a compact, while Ford India could possibly cart in a car that is smaller than the Figo.

Chinese truck maker Benqui Foton will also be present- it has already begun work on setting up a manufacturing facility in Pune for rolling out its heavyduty trucks in India.

Renault India will drive in the Pulse compact car whereas Toyota Kirloskar Motor will launch new Fortuner and Innova.

SkodaAuto India is expected to bring in ‘Scout’, a variant of its small car Fabia. In the two wheeler space, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India will launch three new vehicles, Mahindra 2 Wheelers will launch an entire lineup of two wheelers whereas India Yamaha Motor will bring in a concept bike.

The 11th Auto Expo will be held from January 5-11 and is being organised by the Confederation of the Indian Industry in association with Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturer and Automotive Component Manufacturers Association.

The theme this time is “Mobility for All” and companies from China, France, Germany, Italy and Japan will be participating in a major way apart from domestic manufacturers.