A look back at 2018 for Indian Auto Market

A look back at 2018 for the Indian Automobile Market. 

Auto Expo 2018:  The Indian Auto Show – 2018 Auto Expo saw a lot of carmakers showcase concepts, New models and Components for an Electric Future.

Highlights

Tata Motors Concept Vehicles – Tata Motors showcased some of the most eye catching designs at the Auto Expo 2018. The H5X SUV and the 45X Hatchback showcased Tata’s new Design philosophy and Tatas goal to move to a premium segment. We were told the production versions of the concept will look much the same. The 45X hatchback will come in 2019, but the production version of the H5X SUV concept is the Tata Harrier and it looks very much like the concept showcase. Kudos 

Kia Motors Entry into India : KIA a sister concern of Hyundai, a favourite in India, Showcased a very important concept at the show, the SP Concept SUV.  An SUV that will be the launch vehicle for KIA’s move in India. SP Concept is almost the size of a Hyundai Creta and will be reaching the Indian shores in 2019. The company promises the production vehicle to have the same design as the concept and interiors more premium than the competitors. 

New Launches 

2018 saw many car makers launching new products, from mass-market vehicles to Uber luxury brands like the Rolls Royce Cullinan, Ferrari Portofino and Lamborghini Urus. 

Highlights 

New Swift from Maruti Suzuki – Biggest launch from Maruti Suzuki in 2018, The New Third Generation Swift comes with a New design, better interior quality, Automatic in AMT Avatar and some of the best front seats in any Hatchback. Overall a very mature product from Maruti Suzuki, the New Swift set the sales chart on fire with 1 lakh booking in 10 days of launch.

New Amaze from Honda Motors – Honda went back to drawing board and came back with an all New Amaze. It looks nothing like the older Amaze. And it gets a proper automatic option in Diesel. Yes.. a Diesel CVT. Honda has sold close to 50,000 units in 6months making it one of the best selling Honda vehicles in India.

Yaris from Toyota Kirloskar Motors – The much awaited mid-size sedan from Toyota finally reached the Indian shores this year. The Yaris comes with a lot of segment firsts like 7 airbags, only petrol variants, roof mounted aircon units etc. 

The Return of the Tallboy, New Santro from Hyundai – Santro was the foundation of Hyundai’s Success in India, The New Santro was the biggest launches from Hyundai this year. Feature loaded like any Hyundai is, the New Santro comes at an attractive price and is available in Petrol/CNG and AMT avatar. 

The JTP Twins, Tata Tiago & Tigor JTP – While carmakers are favouring low power engines in bigger cars for fuel efficiency, here comes the JTP twins with 114hp Turbocharged Petrol engines, tuned suspensions, exhausts and subtle exterior mods. The icing on the cake is the pricing, the JTP twins are priced much below the “regular” hot hatches like the Polo GT TSI and Abarth Punto. 

Marazzo from Mahindra – The Marazzo was the biggest launch for Mahindra and Mahindra in 2018, marking Mahindra’s entry into the MPV segment. Marazzo with its elegant lines, refined diesel engine, acres of space inside and the air craft style rear aircon is quickly becoming the choice for the buyers bored of the Innova and Ertiga. 

Luxury Launches

Lamborghini URUS – Lamborghini’s first SUV made its move onto India in 2018, the URUS with a Twin turbo V8 motor and high ground clearance quickly solved all the small problems that Lamborghini owners faced in India. This is a Lamborghini that could carry all your luggage and take you offroad, onroad in style. Reports suggest the Indian buyers love the SUV from Lamborghini and the URUS is sold-out for 2019.

Rolls Royce Cullinan – Another first SUV from a brand known for building Uber Luxury vehicles for the Kings and Queens. The Cullinan sets itself apart by providing the same levels of opulence found in other Rolls Royce vehicles but with a raised height and a go-anywhere capability. 

New Mercedes G63 AMG – After carrying the same design for years, Mercedes launched the New G63 AMG. The New G-wagon has a very evolved design from the front and is wider. A new 4.0L twin turbo V8 powers the “G”. Featuring the latest two-screen infotainment system from Mercedes the New G63 AMG is more luxurious and more capable than before. 

BMW M2 Competition – The Smallest and Most affordable “M” Car from BMW. But that doesn’t mean its slow, Its powered by the same engine that powers the big brother M3, albeit a bit detuned. Still, the M2 devours the 0-100kmph in 4.2secs. Aggressively priced the M2 competition pack makes a powerful case for itself.