Long line of new-look cars this season

More than a dozen new cars will be launched or reintroduced with a fresh look in the Indian market in the next two months, making it one of the busiest seasons for carmakers looking to woo consumers. Demand for automobiles sees a spike during the September-November season every year, a period marked with various festivals celebrated across the country. Car sales have been strong for the larger part of this year and manufacturers are banking on the same sentiment to continue in the festive period.  Passenger car segment reported 11% growth in sales at 4.38 lakh cars in the April-July period, led by a sharp 30% jump in sales in July and carmakers point similar high growth in August too.  Analysts tracking the sector say demand for cars will remain strong in the next few months due to revival in consumer sentiment. Other cars lined up for the season are Maruti’s brand new multi-utility vehicle that is code-named O2 on the Versa platform.  Maruti executive officer Mayank Pareek said, “August has been one of the strongest month this year with good demand coming in certain pockets as Onam, Rakshabandhan and Janmashtami increased footfalls and reined in good sales.” "We expect similar sentiments during Navratra, Dussehra and Diwali festivals in the next two months with customers continuing their buying spree, abetted by new launches, he added.  The roll-out of new cars was kick-started in August by the domestic market leader, Maruti , which launched a new small car Estilo sporting muscular looks and strapped with a new fuel-efficient K-Series engine priced at Rs 3.12 lakh onwards. Toyota has also launched Fortuner SUV at an aggressive price of Rs 18.45 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) adding spark in the top-end jeep market, which has seen low demand for the past one year.  Hyundai will launch its refurbished Santro Xing and General Motors is launching its new midsize sedan Chevrolet Cruze that will be pitted against Volkswagen’s Jetta and Honda’s Civic.  A new variant of Honda’s popular sedan, City, with alloy wheels, fog lamps besides other high-end accessories and a newly designed Civic with changed interiors will also be available from next month.  A new variant of Honda’s popular sedan, City a newly-designed Civic will also be available from next month.  Homegrown auto major, Tata Motors is bringing its new Indigo Vista sedan powered by its Italian joint-venture partner Fiat’s engines.  General Motors (GM), after taking a beating in the US market, plans to woo domestic customers with new cars. General motors is launching its new midsize sedan Chevrolet Cruze that will be pitted against Volkswagen's Jetta and Honda's Civic. "We are looking at new launches to boost sales. Besides Cruze, some current models — Tavera and Aveo — will be refreshed,” GM India president Karl Slym said. “The post-festival season will see our all-new small car from the Beat platform to expand our product portfolio,” he added. General Motors (GM), after taking a beating in the US market, plans to woo domestic customers with new cars. "We are looking at new launches to boost sales. Besides Cruze, some current models — Tavera and Aveo — will be refreshed,” GM India president Karl Slym said. “The post-festival season will see our all-new small car from the Beat platform to expand our product portfolio,” he added. General Motors (GM), after taking a beating in the US market, plans to woo domestic customers with new cars. General motors is launching its new midsize sedan Chevrolet Cruze that will be pitted against Volkswagen's Jetta and Honda's Civic. "We are looking at new launches to boost sales. Besides Cruze, some current models — Tavera and Aveo — will be refreshed,” GM India president Karl Slym said. “The post-festival season will see our all-new small car from the Beat platform to expand our product portfolio,” he added. Ford Motors' refreshed Endeavour with an optional automatic transmission. Nissan Motors plans to debut its next generation Teana sedan and XTrail SUV shortly. Nissan Motors plans to debut its next generation Teana sedan and XTrail SUV shortly. In the luxury cars range, Mercedes-Benz will bring the ninth generation of E-Class into India after selling over 40,000 units of the car globally, since its launch in March this year. German sports car maker Porsche’s solitary 4-door sedan Panamera is also expected to hit the Indian market in the next few months. Archrival BMW will bring its two-seater convertible roadster, Z4, as a fully imported car to the Indian market, this October.  In the more niche segment, Volkswagen will finally lift curtains on its much-awaited iconic hatchback Beetle, a fully imported car from Mexico, in the last quarter of 2009.  High import duties may push Beetle’s price up at par with luxury sedans despite it being a small car.