New Car Launches Cheer Up Indian Car Market

The upswing has been attributed to the new car launches that took place in the months of June and July. While June saw the launch of five new cars, July saw some new super luxury car launches and the introduction of some special edition cars. The most recent was the launch of the new Toyota Camry on July 31. It was also a time, when established models included CNG brethren in their portfolio to help improve its green marks. Thanks to these endeavours, the car companies are back to recording double digit sales.

Let us look at some of the important cars launches in the last 60 days. There was the launch of Honda Jazz which changed the way buyers saw small cars in India. Jazz was the other extreme of Tata Nano. While Nano car opened an ultra low cost segment, Jazz opened the doors to the high cost premium hatchback segment. As the introductory prices started form Rs 7 lakh onwards, it set a new benchmark in the Indian car market. It was launched on 10 June, 2009. It quickly picked up sales. Honda sales climbed up. Because of its cab forward nose, it was compared to Toyota Innova.

Soon afterwards Fiat Motors launched the Grande Punto on July 17. It was launched in diesel and petrol versions. The petrol version was a big hit with its high fuel efficiency. As it was based on Fiat Linea, the Grande Punto brought back Fiat's glory past to the present.

Then came the most important launch the Toyota Land Cruiser. These vehicles have been in production since 60 years but appeared in India only in June 10, 2009. Costing over Rs 82 lakh at least 14 of them were booked before it was launched. The Land Cruiser had enormous power and performance. It was the brawniest display of wealth. It announced that India had arrived.

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara MUV made an appearance again on July 3, 2009. Earlier vehicle was called underpowered, but the new Grand Vitara was one of the most powerful and efficient cars in its segment. The car received a 163.5 bhp, 2.4Litre petrol engine with VVT. The highly sophisticated engine and the reworked interiors and exteriors, gave it an upscale profile. Maruti Suzuki wanted to give more to customers and hence added a new Multi Information Display(MID) units, a centre speaker on the dash, a 6- CD changer audio system, a sliding centre console and an enhanced air conditioning facility. The MID was designed to give information on the cruising range, average speed and instantaneous fuel consumption with low fuel warning. It could be equipped with Manual or Automatic Transmission. The new Grand Vitara had panache and performance in the right blend. Maruti Suzuki has increased its MUV sales 1597 units till the end of July 2009. The most important event in the Indian automotive industry was the launch of Jaguar Cars in the our luxury car market. Available at prices between Rs 62 lakh to Rs 93 lakh, the Jaguar XF and Jaguar XK have brought in style to the performance oriented luxury cars. It was a breakaway from the colonial past and entry into the new world. Jaguar cars, owned by Tata Motors of India is expected to clock high sales by eating into market share of Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi luxury cars.