"The month of October will see Auto Retail on high grounds with 24 days of festive season out of the total 31 days. Dealers anticipate this to be the best festive in a decade for the PV (passenger vehicle) segment as we anticipate even higher sales during the month," FADA said.
With the supplies of semiconductors easing, FADA requests the vehicle makers to match their supplies with the demand.
According to FADA, the enquiry level in the two-wheeler segment is showing positive movement.
Commenting on last month's vehicle sales, FADA President Manish Raj Singhania said the retail sector grew by 11 per cent
When compared with September 2019, a pre-Covid month, total vehicle retails continued to fall by four per cent but narrowed the gap from previous months.
The passenger vehicle segment continues to show extremely healthy figures by growing 44 per cent, three-wheelers, tractor and commercial vehicles also closed in green with an increase of six per cent, 37 per cent and 17 per cent respectively.
The two-wheeler segment is yet to show signs of any revival as it remains a drag by falling as much as 14 per cent.
According to FADA, the price hike by two-wheeler makers and Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) interest rate hikes made vehicle loans expensive.
"While India (urban areas) is showing revival signs, Bharat (rural areas) are yet to perform. 2W (two-wheelers), especially entry level vehicles are finding extremely less buyers thus dragging the entire segment," FADA said.
The three-wheeler segment continues to see structural shift from internal combustion engine to electric vehicle (EV). This is also reflected in extremely healthy growth rate of e-rickshaws.
Apart from better availability of vehicles with full range products, including alternate fuels, customers have started using public transport and rickshaw service thus fuelling demand in this segment.
In the commercial vehicles segment, the government's infrastructure development push, bulk fleet purchase resulted in heavy commercial vehicle segment logging 40 per cent growth last month. The segment grew by 19 per cent last month.
The passenger vehicle segment logged 10 per cent growth last month over September 2021 figures and 44 per cent as compared to the pre-covid September 2019 numbers.
Better availability due to easing semiconductor supply, new launches and feature rich products kept customers glued to dealerships for getting their favourite vehicles during the auspicious period.
The waiting period continues to range between three to 24 months, especially for sport utility vehicles (SUV) and compact SUVs.
The driving rules are strengthening in the country with the advent of increasing traffic surveillance, stricter driving licence issuance procedures and crackdowns on traffic violators. Despite all measures, daily commuters are not aware of basic driving skills one of which includes the proper operation of headlights and turn lights (indicators).
During the night hours, it becomes extremely difficult to drive on Indian roads due to a lack of education about headlight operations.
Many drivers continuously use high-beam while driving making it extremely difficult for vehicles coming from the opposite end.
The right way to use high and low beams: The headlamps are designed to be used for multiple applications. This includes being used for giving passing signals while overtaking other vehicles, high-lighting obstacles on roads, and making transition easier while cornering. The high-beams are specially designed to be used in extremely dark places where there is no other source of lighting. It is advised to use normal light (low beam) for daily applications and safety.
Meanwhile, many drivers drive with blown-out headlamps, and rear brake lights misleading and putting other drivers' life at the stake. Similarly, the four-way indicators (hazard lights) are used for indicating a car breakdown or emergency purpose, which is, unfortunately, being used for showing up by drivers these days.
How to use (hazard lights): Hazard lights or four-way indicators should be used to indicate vehicle breakdown for roadside assistance and to alert other commuters. Meanwhile, break lights play an extremely crucial role by lighting up while breaking. Not replacing blown-out brake lamps can mislead drivers to come from behind leading to accidents.
The turn signals which are supposed to be an indication for turning left or right, meanwhile are also used for demonstrating lane changes are being wrongly used leading to road rage on daily basis.
How to use (turn signals): Turn signals, or indicators are purposely built to indicate lane changes and are being used while taking turns. Keeping it on continuously, or using it non-judiciously can lead to accidents by confusing other commuters on the roads. Therefore, one should be extremely cautious while operating it.
Though Indian drivers are seasoned with this generic defect among the riders, it still raises questions on the credibility of quality driving skills in today’s dynamic scenario of India developing as a global leader.
Called the 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV, the car will have an estimated range of 480 kms and will go on sale next year.
"We are at a turning point where EVs will be the mainstream choice for the next generation of customers and Equinox EV will lead this charge for us," said Mary Barra, Chair and CEO of General Motors.
"With the flexibility of GM's Ultium Platform, we are bringing to market vehicles at nearly every price point and for every purpose," Barra said in a statement late on Thursday.
With a starting price of around $30,000 on the 1LT model, the Equinox EV plugs Chevrolet into the critical compact SUV segment and is expected to be the most affordable EV in its class.
It rounds out an electrified portfolio that covers major segments, including full-size trucks (Silverado EV), midsize SUVs (Blazer EV) and compact SUVs (Bolt EV and Bolt EUV).
"Chevrolet is now positioned to offer a wide array of EVs," said Scott Bell, vice president of Chevrolet. "We know truck and SUV customers better than anyone and we've channeled that insight and experience into our new EVs."
Chevrolet said it is committed to making the EV transition seamless, with support such as available navigation and route planning through the MyChevy app, which helps locate and plot routes to charging stations.
"The Equinox EV has the range to take you where you want to go, the spaciousness for your passengers and gear, and technology to do it all comfortably and confidently," said Bell.
The 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV will be available in fall 2023, starting with a limited edition 2RS model.
To answer this question we will have to dig into the past of the SUV. When the Duster was launched in 2012, it was the only mid-size SUV offering a 4/4 drive option at that time. And with an affordable price range, it became the 'Dearest' SUV of the Indians. Such was the craze of the SUV that if a potential buyer could not afford a Scorpio, they immediately went for the Duster.
As per a report by the company, 4,50,000 Dusters were sold in the first three years. Duster was remodeled in 2013, and the new version was just as popular. And this is where the auto major lost the trick; Duster did not get any facelift after that.
With an ever-changing demand of Indian car buyers, it was pertinent for the European auto major to cater to the likings of the Indians. But after just one facelift, Renault never provided any remodeling to Duster. It should have taken the clue from Maruti Suzuki which continues to be the largest seller in India because it provides a facelift/newer version of every model under its roof in every 2/3 years.
Another example of successful updation to keep the car selling in the market is the Honda City which has survived for more than 20 years and still going strong in the Indian market. Since its introduction in 1998, the City has been remodeled four times, with the latest updation, 5th Gen City's launch in 2022.
After 10 years in the Indian market, Renault finally pulled the plugs on Duster in 2022 with a meager sales figure and stiff competition from the rival brands that provided far more features than it. The Duster simply could not keep up the pace and perished.
The Korean car maker has teased the Sonet X Line ahead of its launch in India.
Taking to Twitter, the auto maker said, "Rare and Unexpected! Sonet X line is all that and more. Coming soon."
In the teaser video, the Kia Sonet X Line is introduced in the Matte graphite colour, the same paint scheme that Kia uses in the Seltos XLine. There are only a few cars in India that offer this kind of paint job. The XLine badge is also flaunted in the teaser.
Rare and Unexpected! Sonet X line is all that and more.
— Kia India (@KiaInd) August 20, 2022
Coming soon.
Know more: https://t.co/7Lu8dwHgJF#Kia #KiaIndia #TheSonetXLine #TheNextFromKia #MovementThatInspires #TheRareKind
After launch, Kia Sonet X Line will be the top variant of the car, over the current Sonet GTX Plus variant. Moreover, similar to the Kia Seltos X Line the Sonet is also expected to get most of the cosmetic changes. The new kit enhancing the looks of the car is expected to give it the signature look that accompanies the X Line edition.
The GT Line of the Sonet comes with three engine options; 1.5 ltr diesel engine, 1 ltr turbo petrol engine and a 1.2 ltr NA petrol engine.
The GT Line of the car comes with 58 smart ways of staying connected. Kia Connect advanced technology includes AI Voice Command, Voice assisted Sunroof control, OTA map updates.
Currently the price of the Sonet starts at Rs 7.49 lakhs and goes up to Rs 13.79 lakhs. All prices are ex showroom Delhi.
It competes with Hyundai Venue, Renault Kiger, Maruti Brezza, Mahindra XUV300, Nissan Magnite and Toyota Urban Cruiser.
At the global unveiling of the new SUV here on Wednesday Hishashi Takeuchi, Managing Director and CEO told the media that the new model will be produced only in India and will be exported to different markets.
He also said the mid-sized SUV will be exported to Middle East, South American and African countries and it will not replace any other model anywhere in the world.
Queried about the production volumes and the company would have ordered the components from vendors he said the production would depend on the demand volumes within and outside India.
The newly hatched model will be produced at the Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt Ltd's plant in Karnataka's Bidadi.
Commercial production of Grand Vitara will begin in August and the model will be available for sale in Nexa showrooms from September onwards.
Takeuchi said, Maruti Suzuki India will decide on introducing hybrids in other models like the compressed natural gas (CNG) powered vehicles at a later date.
According to Maruti Suzuki's Senior Executive Director, Marketing & Sales, Shashank Srivastava, the production backlog for CNG models is about 125,000 units. The company will first clear the backlog of CNG models and decide on having CNG-hybrids.
The Grand Vitara was designed by Suzuki global while the localisation of the components were done by Maruti Suzuki, C.V. Raman, Chief Technology Officer said.
About the market potential for mid-sized SUVs Srivastava said last year the total volume sold in India was about 5.4 lakh units which is about 18 per cent of the total car market.
He said the demand for diesel SUVs will come down from the current 51 per cent.
The Maruti Suzuki's first midsize SUV 'hatchling' will be a hybrid vehicle in two variants - mild and strong hybrid. The car will be produced at the Toyota Kirloskar Motor Pvt Ltd's plant in Karnataka's Bidadi, the carmaker's Senior Executive Director, Marketing & Sales, Shashank Srivastava, said.
The SUV will be unveiled during the third week of July and mass production will begin from August, he said.
Srivastava said the company has a dominant presence (67 per cent market share) in the non-SUV segment but is lagging in the SUV market which is growing and also throwing up several sub-segments.
There are about 48 SUVs in the Indian market while Maruti Suzuki has a minor presence here.
"The upcoming hybrid SUV will be a game changer. We may discontinue the X-Cross model at a later stage," Srivastava said.
The car major will be focusing on the SUV segment with more new models in the future as new segments are emerging with the increase in sales volumes, he added.
"For instance, the lifestyle SUV market is emerging. We have identified many SUV subsegments," he said.
As regards the shortage in semiconductor chips, he said the planned production level is about 94-95 per cent.
Meanwhile, Maruti Suzuki sold a total of 155,857 units in June 2022. Total sales in the month include domestic sales of 125,710 units, sales to other vehicle makers of 6,314 units and exports of 23,833 units.
Pertinent to mention here that rivals like the Kia Sonet and Tata Nexon offer a total of nine and ten petrol variants, respectively. However, all these SUVs have multiple diesel variants too which the Maruti Suzuki has parted with a while back.
The new Brezza will come in six solid shades – white, silver, grey, red, blue and khaki (new) – and three dual-tone colours – red with black roof, khaki with white roof and black with silver roof, reported Auto Car India. The dual-tone colour options will be limited to the higher-spec ZXi and ZXi+ trims.
While the new Brezza will continue to be underpinned by the same Global C platform as its predecessor, all body panels are completely new and it comes with a fresh new design. It also gets a completely redesigned dashboard with lots of new feature additions such as a larger 9.0-inch touchscreen, improved connectivity, six airbags and head-up display and electric sunroof.
As for the updated K15C engine that debuted with the Ertiga and XL6, it will likely produce 103hp and 136Nm on the Brezza and will come with mild-hybrid fuel-saving technology.
Maruti Suzuki will also introduce a CNG version of the Brezza in the future, although it remains to be seen in which trims it is offered.
Upon launch, the Brezza will continue to rival the likes of Hyundai Venue, Kia Sonet, Tata Nexon, and Mahindra XUV300, among others, in the congested compact SUV segment.
Maruti Suzuki had on Monday announced the opening of bookings for the new Brezza at an amount of Rs 11,000.
According to the company, its total sales including exports last month increased to 56,016 units from 50,265 units in May 2017.
The company said it sold 45,008 vehicles in the domestic market last month, up by 7.14 per cent, from 42,007 units sold in May 2017.
Besides, the carmaker exported 11,008 units in May 2018, 33.3 per cent higher than the 8,258 units which were shipped out during the corresponding month last year.
According to the company, the new vehicle's starting price has been fixed at Rs 7.53 lakh for the diesel version (ex-showroom Delhi).
As per Mayank Pareek, President, Passenger Vehicle Business Unit, Tata Motors: "With more than 85,000 happy customers, Tata Zest has proven to be a loved brand and with this new special edition Zest, we expect to strike a new chord with the young and aspirant customers."
"We will continue to gauge changing customer preferences and keep introducing new features in our best-in-class products to give our customers enhanced value offering."
The company added that the new vehicle is equipped with "1.3L, 4 cylinder, BS IV Quadrajet, common rail, turbodiesel engine, putting out 75PS power and 190 Nm torque".
"With the launch of the compact SUV Nexon, we have completed 71 per cent of the entire PV category. We have three new cars in the design stage which will further meet the gap," company's Design Head Pratap Bose said here.
The three cars, which would be in the premium hatchback, five and seven-seaters SUVs categories, are expected to be launched by end 2019-20, Bose said.
The design of the cars would carry out at the company's three studios located at Pune, Coventry in Britain and Turin in Italy, he said.
According to Bose, the company would consolidate on its offerings in the market and production platforms would be reduced from six to two.
These two platforms would be the advanced modular and J&LR platforms, he said, adding that the car maker launched three models - Tiago, Tigor and the Hexa - in the last 16 months.
"All these models have received good response from the buyers," he said.
In the last fiscal, the company's PV segment grew by 22 per cent exceeding the industry growth, he added.
This was informed by Industries minister Debi Prasad Mishra while replying the debate on the expenditure relating to his department in the assembly.
"The state will have two new policies during 2017-18 fiscal to attract investors in these sectors," Mishra said.
Stating that the state government has received investment intent of Rs 2.03 lakh crore during the Make In Odisha Conclave in December 2016, Mishra said the state's new sectoral policies have been highly appreciated by the investors from across the globe.
He said Pharmaceutical Policy, Health care Investment Promotion Policy, Apparel Policy, Biotechnology Policy, Renewable Energy Policy and Startup Policy were formulated before the Make In Odisha Conclave here. These policy could catch attention of the investors. Therefore, two new policies to be announced during this fiscal was also expected to bring good investment for the state.
The minister said as many as 126 investors have envinced their interest to set up industries during three mega industrial meet organised by the state government in different places. While 14 investors have proposed to invest Rs 70,959 crore at the Make-In-India Week in Mumbai, 29 investors also came out to set up their units at an investment of Rs 90,670 crore during the Odisha Investors Meet at Bengaluru.
The Industries minister said the state owned IDCOL (Infrastructure Development Company Limited) and IREL (indian rare earth limited) would sign an MoU in 2017 for setting up Beach Sand Project in a joint venture. This apart some industrial parks would be established during this fiscal, he said.
Mishra said the state government has been making all out effort to include Odisha's industrial clusters in the East Coast Economic Corridor.
Speaking to reporters here, PSA Executive Vice President and India-Pacific Head Emmanuel Delay, said: "We are not looking at an ambitious target of five per cent market share. Our business is resilient even with two per cent market share."
"We are not chasing market share," said the Chairman of the Managing Board Carlos Tavares.
According to Delay, the group has the advantage of studying why the competition did not do well and fine-tune its own strategy as per the findings.
He said the competitors had put in huge investments upfront to roll out unrealistic volumes.
"Powertrain in a vehicle is difficult to localise. But in the case of Groupe PSA, the first product that was made was the powertrain for the local and export market," Delay said.
The French group has tied up with India's C.K.Birla group to make gear boxes and vehicles in India. Located in Hosur, the gearbox plant was inaugurated in November 2018.
Officials said the localisation levels in the vehicles will be as much as 98 per cent.
The Groupe PSA also showcased a model of its Citroen C5 Aircross.
"I wanted to bring our latest model to India. The model was launched this January," Linda Jackson, Chief Executive Officer, Citroen Brand, Groupe PSA said.
When pointed out none of the European car brands are doing very well in India as compared to the Asian brands, Jackson said the Indian market was well researched before deciding on the model.
According to her, the model to be launched is a global brand and the company will follow a disruptive approach to the market.
She said the group will launch a new model every year starting 2021, after the launch of SUV in 2020, and the brand will be positioned in the heart of the market and is not a premium product.
According to Delay, India is a local and also a global opportunity for Groupe PSA.
In addition to export of India-made vehicles soon after the models are launched in India, the French group will also start sourcing automobile components locally for its global needs.
"We will look at India as an engineering hub. We are setting up a purchasing team for global needs," said Tavares.
Queried whether the plant at Tiruvallur near here has enough capacity and space for expansion or whether the group would look at any other location, Tavares said: "We have enough capacity and the production is scalable."
"We are a long term player. Many other markets are not doing well now and are shaky."
When asked about the group's plans for the Ambassador brand, Jackson said they are reflecting on how to use the iconic brand.
She said the Ambassador brand should be used with respect as PSA is inspired by the emotional connection the brand has in India.
According to the company's Chairman R.C. Bhargava, the company will stop selling diesel cars from April 1, 2020 as car prices will rise due to the implementation of Bharat Stage-VI emission norms.
"Given BS-VI (from April 1, 2020) has come and other safety regulations implemented... prices are going up.
"Diesel cars of BS-IV have to be sold and registered before 31st March (2019). We will work on our production schedule in a way that no diesel IV vehicle is left in our stock.
"From April 1, 2020 we will not be selling diesel cars," he said.
Currently, diesel powered vehicles constitute about 23 per cent of the total domestic sales. The company had developed a new DDiS 225 (1.5L) diesel engine.
At present, the company offers diesel variants of Swift, Vitara Brezza, Dzire, Ertiga, Ciaz, Baleno and S-Cross.