hatchbacks continue to dominate the market

The strong run of hatchbacks in the Indian auto market continues in the consecutive sixth month of the year as these receive an overwhelming response from buyers in the country. An array of stylish and attractive premium hatchbacks (including Maruti Swift, Hyundai i20, Volkswagen Polo, Ford Figo and Fiat Punto) have given a tough fight to their sedan counterparts (like Skoda Octavia, Honda City and Maruti Suzuki Sx4) in the country, in terms of sales figures.

Surprisingly, the situation was completely different a year back when the full fledged premium hatchback segment did not even exist in India and Skoda Fabia was the only available model in this segment with a price tag of more than Rs 5 lakh. But since the starting of this year, it is raining hatchbacks in the Indian market. Be it world's largest car maker Toyota or be it European auto giant Volkswagen, every major car maker wants to mark its debut in the premium hatchback segment in the country. Toyota has already started production process of its upcoming premium hatchback Etios which has specially been developed for the Indian market.

Where Hyundai i20 is registering the sales figure of more than 5,000 units a month, its sibling in the sedan segment managed to clock monthly sales of mere 1,200 units. Similarly, while Maruti Swift clocks monthly sales figure of 10,000-12,000 units, Maruti's sedan Sx4 is restricted to just 1,500 cars per month.

In last six months, many new hatchbacks have been smacked in the Indian market, including Chevrolet Beat in January, Ford Figo and Volkswagen Polo in March and New Maruti Wagon R in April. With this, prospective launches of Nissan Micra in July 2010 and Toyota Etiod in December 2010, are expected to keep the momentum alive throughout the year.

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