(Maruti) Suzuki India launched the Swift, a 1.3litre hatchback yesterday, in response to increasing competition in the Indian Car market and especially to compete against the recently launched Hyundai Getz. It starts at 3.87lacs or around $9000, supposed to be a 5-seater. Whether this car will find a market in India that remains to be seen.
Honestly, this is the first up-to-date model that Suzuki has ever launched in India, since nearly all of their other models, including the best-seller 800, are completely out of date. The car market in India is very different and still really coming out of infancy especially in the past couple of years. The fact that road infrastructure is still far from adequate adds to the slowness in the growth. I am referring to the car companies and the range of cars available in India, not car ownership, which has been steadily rising. I am glad the increased competition has forced Suzuki to pull up its socks as it realizes it cannot take the Indian consumer for granted anymore. But it sure has a long way to go.
The Indian car scene is a mixed bag, since there is so much focus on the small car segment. Cars such as the Camry, Accord, Corolla, which generally come in the most affordable segment world-over are sold as high-end luxury cars in India. For example. Hyundai Sonata is one of the cheapest cars in the United States but it is one of the most expensive cars in India, even though its a Korean car not even a Japanese.
Sure, the manufacturers have to import most of the stuff into India so the high sticker price isn't entirely their fault. The government still has a 120% duty on car imports, their argument being that this would force more companies to set up local operations. Also, the high gas prices make it harder to sell bigger cars in India, especially when you can get more than 60 miles/gallon (if my math is correct) from the small cars.
But, its high time that Indians get a better selection of cars at affordable prices. Instead of coming up with more cheap small cars, companies should try come up with family cars at those same low prices. That would be a better deal for so many Indian families.
Well, I am from Mumbai, and if I had the choice I would buy the smallest car I can. Basically because I can take it through the traffic anywhere I want, and MOST importantly park it anywhere I want.. Thats the main reason why most people have 800s. or other smaller cars... I love those Matiz, Indica types, while I hate the scorpio ..but not as much as I hate that reject Qualis..yuckkk
Also, the hyundai accent is sold as a luxury car.. that is SO funny.. what next? Luxury Kias?
Posted by: sqrl/NT | May 26, 2005 at 08:38 AM