WHO'S THE BEST-SELLER?: The Indian automobile industry is in top gear. The key drivers providing a turbo thrust to the sector are a buoyant economy, higher replacement demand, better market penetration, tough competition leading to better services/products, rising exports, a rise in rural income and easy loans.
The surge in car sales has been phenomenal in recent times. Long gone are the days when all you could get was an Ambassador or a Fiat (Premier). Umpteens of new cars, that suit all budgets, are now available in the country.
From Ambassador to the Maybach, the Indian car industry has come a long way. It is now one of the fastest growing automobile markets in the world. In 2003-04, the domestic passenger car sales zoomed 29 percent to 696,207 units from 541,496 units last year. The cutthroat competition paved the way to innovative marketing tactics and new strategies, benefiting the consumers in a big way.
ALTO, THE LEADER: Maruti's safe bet has always been its bread and butter model Maruti 800. Not any more. For the first time in May 2004, Alto -- the other small car from the Maruti stable -- zoomed past the M-800 to take the mantle of
Analysts say the Alto's manoeuvre is a remarkable feat for a car that made its debut only in 2000.
After being
While 10,016 units of the M-800 were sold in May, Alto grabbed the top slot with sales of 10,373 units.
The Alto largely benefited from the cut in prices (by Rs 23,000) last September and the launch of the non-A/C model for a price Rs 230,000 in April 2004. Cheap financing boosted its sales further. The challenge ahead for Alto now is to sustain its growth and maintain its top ranking.
The Alto has six models to choose from. While an Alto Bharat-II non-metallic car is available for an ex-showroom price of Rs 232,966 in Mumbai (excluding registration and tax), the top-end Alto Spin LXi--Bharat II Metallic is priced at (ex-showroom, Mumbai) Rs 290,979.
MARUTI-800, STILL GOING STRONG: The M-800, which debuted in December 1983, has been a success story mainly because of the love that the middle class showers on it.
For them, it has always been a car that has been affordable and reliable, and which does not cost much to maintain. The car's fine performance through the decades has also helped Maruti Udyog Ltd reap big profits, add volume sales, grow significantly, acquire goodwill and grab the largest market share in the Indian automobile sector.
Even the May sales figures show that the M-800 is not far behind the leader, the Alto, and might even overtake it to regain its crown.
In 2003-2004, Maruti Udyog Limited sold 167,561 units of the M-800, up from 143,322 units in 2002-2003.
MUL also has the distinction of selling 20,687 M-800 units in March 2003 -- the highest monthly sale by any single model in
The M-800's May figures suffered mainly due to the cut in the prices of the Alto. There is a very little difference between the two cars' prices and this makes the Alto a very attractive bargain. Car industry analysts feel the emergence of a lower-cost Alto may eventually hit the M-800 growth story, especially since MUL has said it will not phase out the M-800.
Eight M-800 models are available. You can buy the Maruti-800 Std - Bharat I non-metallic car for Rs 191,009 (ex-showroom, Mumbai), while the top-end model -- Maruti 800 Std with AC Bh-II Metallic -- will cost you Rs 236,247 (ex-showroom, Mumbai).
INDICA SHINING: The Indica, the car which changed Tata Motors' fortunes, is
The turnaround for Indica happened in 2001. After selling 55,758 units of Indica in the first year of its operation (April-March 1999-2000), sales dipped to 44,545 units in the following year. Industry watchers pooh-poohed Tata Chairman Ratan Tata's thrust into the passenger car segment and said the foray may hurt the Tatas like never before.
But the Tata chairman's conviction vindicated his stand. The introduction of an upgraded Indica V-2 (Version 2) in February 2001 helped it regain lost ground and significantly improve its market share.
In 2001, the Indica emerged as the fastest-selling automobile when it clocked sales of 100,000 units in less than 18 months. In September and October 2001, it became the largest-selling car (with sales of more than 5,000 units in the B segment.
In 2003-04, Indica saw its volumes increase by 11 per cent over the previous year. Tata Motors also registered a 315 percent rise in exports in 2003-2004, including the export of 6,700 units of the Indica Rover brand to the
Among the 11 Indica models, the Diesel Std (DL) - E I will cost Rs 313,380 (ex-showroom, Mumbai). The top model DLX - EI I is priced at Rs 407,320 (ex-showroom, Mumbai).
SANTRO SURGES: The Santro, Indica and Zen are the immediate options for people who like to upgrade themselves from a smaller, relatively no-frills car like M-800.
Hyundai Motor India Limited, a subsidiary of
In May 2003, the car saw another change in looks with the introduction of the Santro Xing.
The Santro was the leader in the compact car or B segment in 2003-04, selling 100,017 units. The company sold 7,088 units of Santro Xing in April. Though Santro's official sales figures for May are still not available, analysts said the Santro sold about 6,500 units making it the hot favourite after the Alto, M-800 and Indica.
Santro Xing is available in four models. The Santro Xing XE (Solid) is priced at Rs 346,368 (ex-showroom, Mumbai). Its XE ABS (Metallic) will cost Rs 365,509 (ex-showroom, Mumbai).
WAGON-R's RAPID PROGRESS: Maruti Udyog has three B segment offerings -- the now best-selling Alto, WagonR and Zen.
While the Alto grabbed the first spot, the WagonR positioned itself at the 5th place -- just behind its rival Santro. Maruti launched an upgraded version of its premium compact car model WagonR in October 2003 with much fanfare and a high profile advertising campaign.
Some of the redesigned features include a clear headlamp, clear tail lamps, new chrome grille, new upholstery, rear defogger and wheel covers.
It sold an impressive 6,024 units in May, making it one of the leading players in the B segment cars.
Maruti introduced eight variants of the WagonR. The top end model WagonR AX Minor metallic is priced at Rs 459,209 (ex-showroom, Mumbai), while WagonR LX non-metallic is available for Rs 324,756 (ex-showroom, Mumbai).
ZEN AND THE ART OF MOTORING: Maruti's compact car Zen too performed impressively, logging sales of 4,740 units in May 2004.
Though the Zen was not an instant hit like the all-time favourite M-800, it gradually ensured a top position among the compact car segment by growing consistently.
The Zen, which is based on the 1991 Suzuki Cervo Mode, has also bagged several international awards. In 1997, it was adjudged the best car in its category in
The car is available in six cariants -- Zen VXI, Zen LX, Zen LXI, Zen AX, Zen D and Zen Diesel P/S.
Maruti Udyog sold 64,654 units of the Zen in 2003-2004. Maruti thus rules the heart of the Indian car buyer, having grabbed four of the top six slots in
Zen gives the option to choose from 24 models. The top version of the car -- Zen AT, Bharat II Metallic -- will cost you Rs 481,099 (ex-showroom, Mumbai). If you are looking for a cheaper version, the Zen LX Bharat I non-metallic is available for Rs 311,192 (ex-showroom, Mumbai).
No comments:
Post a Comment