BUSINESS
It appears that the entry-level sedans are also going to see some action in the coming months with Ford pricing its new car in the Rs 5.59 to Rs 6.99 lakh range
NEW DELHI: If you thought the compact car market is where all the action is happening, think again. It appears that the entry-level sedans are also going to see some action in the coming months.
Take the case of Ford. The company has positioned the entry-level model of its brand new car, Fiesta, at this segment. And other car makers also appear to be veering around to the view that the entry-level sedan segment needs more options.
At present, the entry-level sedans include brands such as Maruti Esteem, Hyundai Accent, Ford Ikon, Opel Corsa and Tata Indigo, among others, with prices beginning at a modest Rs 4.5 lakh and going up to Rs 7.25 lakh in some cases.
Ford, for example, has positioned Fiesta very competitively with an introductory offer price of Rs 5.59 lakh (ex-showroom New Delhi) for the base model, going up to Rs 6.99 lakh for the high-end diesel version.
In fact, automobile experts feel that with the Fiesta priced dangerously close to Ford Ikon’s high-end model, the latter may fall out of favour with the consumer.
But Ford India managing director Arvind Mathew says that the company will continue to offer the high-end Ikon “as long as there is demand for the product”.
Not only Ford, other car makers are also expected to offer new products in this segment. Automobile experts say that Hyundai is expected to bring in a new Accent whereas
Maruti Udyog may replace the existing Esteem with a three-box version of Swift some time next year.
While neither Hyundai nor Maruti have come out with their plans for the entry-level sedan segment, experts point out that after the hatchbacks, this is the segment where more action is expected next year.
They caution, however, that the entry-level sedan segment suffers somewhat because of a price overlap. Most manufacturers price their premium hatchbacks alongside the sedans, thus giving the consumer a tough choice.
“And given the excitement surrounding small cars at present, the sedan segment tends to lose out some times,” they point out.
Meanwhile, Ford claims that the Fiesta comes with several new features which are absent from most other sedans priced below the Rs 10 lakh category, such as ornamental twin headlights, 6 CD changer and completely fold-down rear seats. So, it seems that the consumer may after all get a lot more in terms of car features at existing prices as competition in the sedan market intensifies.
Ford India, which has seen flat sales growth this year, is pinning hopes on its fifth car in India - Fiesta - to build fortunes. The company has said earlier it expects to close this year at about 27,000 unit sales, the same as 2004.
Its latest launch, Ford Fiesta, comes in both petrol and diesel versions, and with the Fiesta launch the company has introduced its Common Rail diesel engine in the Indian market.
While the Fiesta 1.4 Exi Petrol will cost Rs 5.59 lakh, the 1.6 Zxi petrol will come for Rs 6.29 lakh.
The 1.6 Sxi petrol will be priced at Rs 6.89 lakh whereas the diesel version, called 1.4 Zxi, will come for Rs 6.99 lakh. All prices are ex-showroom Delhi.
IND vs NZ, 2nd Test Dream11 prediction: Fantasy cricket tips for India vs New Zealand match
How To Prepare For The UPSC CSE 2025 Exam?
'India supports dialogue and diplomacy, not war': PM Modi at BRICS Summit
This woman lost in Dubai's desert orders camel via Uber, netizens say 'your camel has arrived'
Good news for Vijay Shekhar Sharma, Paytm gets NPCI nod to..., shares surge over 7%
Fan requests Rohit Sharma to deliver her message to Virat Kohli, here's how Indian captain responded
Rajkummar Rao recalls being scammed in Delhi during struggle days: 'The man had...'
Robbers pose as customers in jewellery shop, what owner did next will leave you shocked
Maharashtra Elections 2024: NCP releases 1st list of 38 candidates; Ajit Pawar to contest from…
Japanese Shah Rukh Khan leaves Bollywood Badshah's fan impressed, social media says...
Will KL Rahul be retained by LSG ahead of IPL Auction? New report provides BIG update, it says...
'Wayanad will have two MPs': Rahul Gandhi after Priyanka files nomination for bypolls
I Want To Talk teaser: Abhishek Bachchan announces his next with Shoojit Sircar, to release on...
Diwali 2024: When is Deepawali, October 31 or November 1? Check dates, mahurat timings and more
JEE Main 2025 exam date to release TODAY: Know how to register, check exam calendar HERE
Jhalmuri fever hits London: Video of British man selling Kolkata-style street food goes viral, watch
SC slams Centre as Delhi air worsens, calls environment laws...
Ex-cricketer suggests replacing KL Rahul with THIS batsman for 2nd Test vs NZ, he is…
TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee smashes bottle, hurls it towards Chair in row over Waqf meet
Know how Mukesh Ambani and Nita Ambani's children Isha Ambani and Akash Ambani got their names
Family finds venomous snakes under their bed, what happened next will leave you in shock
This company's Vice President gets fired after raise and bonus, reason will leave you shocked
Mukesh Ambani-led Jio Financial eyes JVs with Allianz SE in insurance sector
IMD's BIG update: Cyclone Dana forms over Bay of Bengal, to cross Odisha-Bengal coasts on...
This company gifts cars as Diwali bonus, calls its employees celebrities, is owned by…
Amid divorce rumours with Aishwarya Rai, Abhishek Bachchan skips her family gathering
When Ratan Tata opened up about his parents separation, first love and childhood, he said...
Blow to Mukesh Ambani ahead of Isha Ambani, Akash Ambani's birthday, Reliance stocks...
Saudi Arabia's futuristic megacity project Neom a big threat to migratory birds? Experts say...
Apple CEO Tim Cook didn’t know about this iPhone feature, left speechless, know here
Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Jio offers superhit Diwali plan, unlimited 5G internet for just Rs...
Bengaluru Rains: Schools closed, WFH advisory for private companies as IMD issues yellow alert
Israel confirms killing of Hashem Safieddine, presumed successor of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah
Big move by Anil Ambani, his company to invest Rs 10000 crore to set up India's largest...
Meet Indian genius, who was born in small town, today leads AI innovations of Google, she is...
Woman stays at luxury resort worth Rs 3 lakh for free, claims she used...
Delhi AQI update: Air quality worsens to 'very poor' level at 349, becomes 'severe' in these areas
PM Modi to hold bilateral talks with Xi Jinping at BRICS Summit today
Odisha, West Bengal brace for Cyclone Dana: How was it named and what it means?
POCSO case: Mumbai Police ask Ekta Kapoor, her mother to appear for questioning tomorrow
Watch: Can you identify all the actors in this clip from 1991?
Priyanka Gandhi to file nomination for Wayanad Lok Sabha bypoll today
Meet woman, whose father used to sell milk, cracked UPSC exam with AIR 62 to become...
Delhi: No water supply in Capital for 12 hours on Friday due to…; check list of affected areas
Salman Khan resumes shooting for Sikandar amid death threats from Lawrence Bishnoi
India, Pakistan extend Kartarpur Sahib corridor agreement for five years
DNA TV Show: What is BRICS currency? Is it possible to introduce it today?
IPL 2025: Three-time IPL champion set to join Gujarat Titans as batting coach - Reports
PM Modi, Xi Jinping to hold bilateral meet on sidelines of BRICS Summit on Oct 23, first in 5 years
New Himalayan snake species named after Academy Award winner Leonardo DiCaprio, it will be called…
Cyclone Dana: Schools closed in West Bengal, Odisha for 4 days from...
Delhi govt to provide special assistance of Rs 5000 monthly to...
Rape-accused Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein diagnosed with bone marrow cancer
IND vs NZ: Sarfaraz Khan or KL Rahul; Who will find a spot in 2nd Test? India coach says…
Mumbai Police interrogates Ekta Kapoor, her mother Shobha Kapoor in case under POCSO act
Mukesh Ambani may team up with govt to sell food products through...
Bengaluru: Several feared trapped as under-construction building collapses
Best Cheap VPS Hosting Providers: Top Picks for Hosting Under USD 10
Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal set to raise Rs 8500 crore, says it is meant to...