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ShareNew Delhi: The Auto Expo 2010 will showcase many global small car launches, but it does not boast of any showstopper yet.
Much like any big-ticket fashion show, the Expo has traditionally had at least one mega unveiling each time to keep interest levels high. In 2008, the showstopper was the Tata Nano.
Beginning January 5, this Indian motorshow will boast of many global launches. Perhaps for the first time anywhere in the world, Toyota Kirloskar Motor will unveil a product outside Japan when it showcases the small car specially built for India and other BRIC markets. Though production will begin only by the end of 2010, this car is expected to be showcased in both, hatchback and sedan versions.
Ditto for Honda Siel Cars. It will also premiere the concept model of a new small car that has been developed keeping the Indian market in mind.
Volkswagen AG, which has perhaps become the world's largest car maker after acquiring Porsche, is expected to launch the 'Polo' compact which may also have a sedan version on display.
General Motors India is unveiling its mini car 'Beat' and Ford India will launch the 'Figo' compact at the seven-day motoring extravaganza.
India's largest car maker, Maruti Suzuki India, is expected to showcase the first completely indigenously made small car though it would be launched much later in 2012.
Then, there is growing buzz that variants of the Tata Nano (perhaps the diesel and environmentally friendly versions) will also be on display but this could not be confirmed.
Hyundai Motor India is expected to unveil the 'Santa Fe' SUV, 'i30' and 'i40' whereas Japanese major Nissan is expected to bring in its small car 'Micra' in an Indianised version.
This mad scramble to get on to the small-car bandwagon has been long in the making. Most global original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) operating in India have had a small car on the drawing board for two-three years now.
But is this the right time to go "small"? Many industry watchers point towards indication from the government over imminent excise duty increase and a renewed clamour for changing the very definition of a small car -- both these actions could raise small car prices.
But this doesn't seem to worry global OEMs, who are keen to corner some market share in the small car segment in one of the world's fastest growing automobile markets.
