Car companies bet big on SUVs this Auto Expo

Market dynamics are slowly changing and we see more SUVs than ever before up for display and launches at the 2012 Auto Expo. Out of the 32 odd cars slated for launch and around 50 or so for display and unveiling, there is a good share of utility vehicles from different car manufacturers across the world for the 11th Indian Auto Expo in January. Right from big global players like Renault, BMW and Mercedes-Benz to domestic auto giants like Mahindra and Mahindra have their own set of accomplishments especially in the SUV segment to boast about this time.

Despite the global announcement on the compact Ford EcoSport from the American auto maker, the compact 5-seater will be up for a display and so is its closest rival Renault Duster from the French sports car manufacturer. The car manufacturers are trying their best to capture the increasing demand for compact SUVs in India and Duster is one example which is basically the rebadged version of its subsidiary Dacia’s product. The compact SUV segment is literally thriving of late and why not if the price tag features a price in the range of Rs 5- Rs 7 lakh which more or less equals any decent hatchback in the market. What more, it offers enough interiors space for a good comfortable ride to cover long distances with entire family aboard. Moreover, it is an ideal choice if off-roading and an adventurous ride is what one has on mind.

Even the luxury car manufacturers like Audi and BMW are trying to tap the growing demand with an out and out deviation from its usual pricing standards. BMW X1 series carrying a price tag of Rs 22.4 lakh has accounted for the sales the auto major has never imagined and now Audi India is all set to match it with the Audi Q3 SUV slated for a launch some time in mid-2012. However, this doesn’t stop Audi India from displaying the Audi Q3 at the Auto Expo to just let the consumers know what to expect from the German luxury car manufacturer this time.

Though slated for a launch around March 2012, Tata Motors will bring a new SUV based on its flagship Tata Safari. Be it Tata Merlin or rather Tata Storm, the name which the auto major might adopt by the time we see the launch happening, will also brought for the display at the Expo. The revamped versions of each of their flagships, the new Toyota Fortuner and new Chevrolet Captiva will lure the consumers from Toyota India and GM India pavilion respectively. The domestic car manufacturer Mahindra and Mahindra on the other hand is all set to make a mark this time with the two SsanYong SUVs, Rexton and Korando, though we will have to wait and see what pricing strategy will M&M employ this time who is usually known to come up with the most competitive prices in the history of car industry.