Introduction
2014 has indeed been a good year for the auto industry here in India. It is now being taken more seriously by car manufacturers world over. Thanks to the Auto Expo in February the Indian Automobile Industry saw a glimpse of what lay ahead.
Throughout the year, manufacturers have bombarded the Indian buyers with new and facelifted products. We, however choose to dwell on what's new this year. Car companies like Tata, Maruti, Honda brought out people-pleasing cars and as a result their order books have been overflowing. While they come in the affordable category, the premium end saw products from Audi, Mercedes-Benz and BMW.
We have reviewed most of these new entrants and have listed a few of them which according to us made an impression. We also give you the number of visitors who viewed the car on our site. These views have been collated from 30 days after the car's launch.
Hatchbacks
Maruti Suzuki Celerio
Celerio entered the Indian market in February this year with the Automatic Manual Transmission (AMT); a technology introduced for the first time in the mass segment. In fact, after a blockbuster entry in February, it managed to show decent figures till September, showing a decline only after the festive period. This could also be attributed to the waiting period it commands now. Such was the car’s draw that the company was clocking bookings for almost 1,000 units of the car per day initially. The car seems custom-made for Indian buyers giving them a clutch-less car at an affordable price.
The Celerio claims a class-leading fuel-efficiency of 23.1 kmpl and its AMT variant starts at Rs. 4.19 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). It competes with the Hyundai i10, Nissan Micra Active and the Chevrolet Beat.
The Maruti Suzuki Celerio has received 836,424 page views and 660,645 unique page views a month after its launch.
New Maruti Alto K10
The Alto badge continues to be the highest selling model in India with two versions Alto 800 and the K10. While the 800cc model, launched in 2012, contributes significantly more than the K10, the facelifted version is getting lot more traction with better looks and more features. Maruti, sensing the competition become increasingly close, used smart thinking to put the Alto K10 above the rest. Enter AMT. Maruti has, this year, also introduced its automated-manual transmission in the K10 model of the Alto. A redesigned body, improved fuel efficiency and some tweaks here and there, saw the car distance itself from rivals like Hyundai Eon, Datsun GO and the Chevrolet Beat. The team at Maruti were convinced the AMT candy had worked its magic among the Indian customers, for they saw that more than one-fourth of its customers looked at automatic cars before settling in for a manual one. So offering an AT car for low prices became their mantra. Maruti understands the Indian car market better than anybody else and this repackaged car presses the right buttons. It simply adds to the ease in driving.
The new Maruti Alto K10 delivers 24.07kmpl which is same for both the AMT as well as the manual version and is priced at Rs 3.02 lakh onwards.
On CarWale, the car has received 1,225,950 page views and 783,547 unique page views.
Entry-level Sedans
Hyundai Xcent
Hyundai has given us memorable small cars and their latest offering, modelled on their very successful Grand i10 , the Xcent, steals hearts with a mix of thoughtful design and interior, great ride and handling. In short, its carries the legacy of the zippy Grand i10 forward. It has received over 100,000 inquiries and 11,000 bookings for the compact sedan within a month of its launch in March 2014. The numbers are impressive considering that it came into the market when rivals like the Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire and the Honda Amaze were spearheading much of the business. Later on in the year it also received the Tata Zest as competition in the compact sedan segment. A combination of a relaxed drive, a host of good features, well-proportioned design and base prices undercutting those of the competition made this sedan a popular choice for new buyers into this segment.
The Xcent is a feature-loaded car complete with a competitive price tag. Hyundai launched the Xcent in India for Rs 4.66 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). Hyundai claims an efficiency of 24.4kmpl for the diesel and 19.1kmpl for the petrol, while the automatic petrol returns 16.9kmpl.
On CarWale, the car has received 2,414,736 page views and 1,646,393 unique page views.
Tata Zest
Tata Motors had pinned most of its hope on the Tata Zest. It was a product they brought to the public prior to four years of hard work and extensive research. The car had to prove itself in terms of technology, fuel efficiency, engine power and design. Tata is the first manufacturer to execute an auto gearbox with a small diesel, answering the prayers of many Indian customers that have been demanding one of all the manufacturers and that has certainly worked in its favour. Getting the design bit and the desirability part to the point, Tata has a popular sedan on its hands. Currently, waiting periods range from four to six weeks for all models except the AMT-equipped one which seems to demand an extended waiting period.
It squares off against popular rivals like the Honda Amaze, Maruti Suzuki Dzire and the Hyundai Xcent, in terms of size and space, but holds an ace with the diesel AMT specs. The Tata Zest sedan is priced in the range of Rs 4.64 – 6.99 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) and has an ARAI claimed fuel efficiency of 21.47kmpl for the diesel and 15.65kmpl for the petrol.
The Tata Zest received 4,996,895 page views and 532,855 unique page views on CarWale.
Mid-size sedans
New Honda City
This car needs no introduction. The new Honda City generated enormous amounts of interest everywhere. Earlier the City was the aspirational mid-size segment sedan that ruled the charts but soon when diesel engine sedans took over, the City had found its sheen waning since it only had a petrol engine then. The City nameplate enjoys tremendous brand equity in India. So when the fourth-generation Honda City entered the market with a diesel engine, customers made a beeline for it, pushing it back to where it belonged as a segment leader. Within six months of its launch, it sold over 45,900 units of the new City in the country, making the playing field a bit narrow for competitors like the Hyundai Verna and the Volkswagen Vento. For an average family looking for a practical, economical, comfortable, and reliable car for their daily use the City certainly works out for them.
The diesel variant, developed specifically for the Indian market, comes with a 1.5 i-DTEC engine and this model gives a mileage of 26kmpl and has been priced at Rs 7.20 - 11.06 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).
The Honda City received 1,725,199 page views and 1,245, 398 unique page views on CarWale.
Maruti Suzuki Ciaz
The third product from Maruti on this list is based on a new platform designed to maximise performance and efficiency. The new Ciaz represents Maruti in the hotly contested C-segment sedan market. It takes over from the Maruti Suzuki SX4 and already has made inroads into the market with its stylish design. Its impressive road presence, new features, longer wheelbase and the Maruti name has seen it do some decent numbers and there have been reports of the Ciaz outselling the Honda City in at least the initial days after the launch. The Ciaz is a comfortable family sedan and does not carry baggage from a hatchback or a SUV. It has a big car feel both inside out. It does not promise race-like potential but can comfortably ferry a family of four to and fro.
The Ciaz takes on the likes of Honda City, Hyundai Verna, Volkswagen Vento, Nissan Sunny and the Renault Scala. It comes within the price range of Rs 6.99 lakh - Rs 9.80 lakh (ex-showroom New Delhi).
The Ciaz has received 61,377,948 page views and 1,010,693 unique page views on CarWale.
Utility Vehicles
Mahindra Scorpio
The Scorpio’s dominance on the Indian roads is an often told story and so when Mahindra announced that there was a new-generation Scorpio waiting to be unveiled, there were smiles all over. Once launched, it was scrutinised closely for the ‘newness ’ it offered. A new platform, attention to passenger safety, an edgier look, appealing interior, capable engines and lots of space makes this SUV an easy sell for Mahindra. With the assurance of being a value-for-money purchase, its ability to create a huge impression on the roads and its off-roading prowess, the new Scorpio has got it all figured out.
Priced between Rs8.40 - Rs13.05 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), it tackles competition in the form of the Tata Safari Storme, Renault Duster and Ford EcoSport.
Mahindra Scorpio has received 4,455,921 and 2,639,832 unique page views on CarWale.
Honda Mobilio
Honda’s mass-market product Mobilio joined the fleet soon after the new Honda City. The compact utility vehicle saw a leadership change with the Mobilio dethroning the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga. The Mobilio is a multi-seater people mover designed on the platform of Honda's hatchback Brio. The excitement around the project can be seen in the 18,000-19,000 bookings it had secured by September end this year.
Competition like the Chevrolet Enjoy and the Ertiga did have to sweat it out once Honda’s first MPV entered the market. The car retails at Rs. 6.49 - 10.86 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).
Honda Mobilio has received 510,530 page views and 385,015 unique page views on CarWale.
Premium sedans
Skoda Superb
Two words define this car extremely well - luxury and comfort and it does not hurt that it is good-looking as well. The new 2014 Skoda Superb makes sure that its occupants have everything they need right in the roomy cabin of the sedan. Nifty features and thoughtful modifications make sure that passengers travel in the lap of luxury, something you would expect from the more expensive Mercedes products. It is these very reasons that have made it a popular car with customers looking for a slice of premium driving. The Superb is the largest Skoda you can buy at the moment, and so practicality is a real strong point. A revamp of the car’s styling is what makes it look different from its predecessors. And whether you are at the wheel or prefer being driven around, this car is certainly a pleaser.
It has no direct competition; the Volkswagen Passat is more expensive while the Skoda Superb retails between Rs 20.91 – Rs 25.39 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) and the rest of the sedans in the segment don’t have a diesel option.
Skoda Superb has received 81,883 page views and 66,381 unique page views on CarWale.
Toyota Corolla Altis
One of the best-selling diesel sedans in the Indian market, the Corolla Altis car received a dose of new this year. This worked to inject some excitement into its life-cycle. Toyota’s reliable sedan got an exterior and styling makeover and it now looks much sporty than sedate. It retains its comfort factor and still makes for a car you would love to be ferried around in. Even though the D-segment sedan market is shrinking, the Altis is an important model for Toyota and they have given the market what it wants.
The car is available in the Rs 12.40 - 17.07 lakh price range and competes with the Volkwagen Jetta and the Skoda Octavia.
The Corolla Altis has received 257,885 page views and 195,056 unique page views on CarWale.
Luxury cars
Audi A3
August was when the Audi A3 sedan landed on our shores. This younger sibling of the A4 is early in its field as it is the first compact luxury sedan among the hatchbacks. Sharp looking and definitely stylish the car has the oomph factor. Big on ride comfort the German machine has made quite an impression among the buyers. It starts at Rs 22.95 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) ending at Rs 32.66 lakh. It takes the fight to Mercedes A and B Class and the BMW 1 Series till the Mercedes-Benz CLA is launched in January 2015.
The Audi A3 has received 772,412 page views and 583,670 unique page views on CarWale.
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
This new generation Mercedes-Benz C-Class was launched in India in November. This was after it showed itself to the market back in February and often at other events keeping the excitement alive for the following months. The most notable facts are the new, increased range of features and the longer wheelbase it comes with. It surely justifies the tag of being the bread and butter model for the company. It is a looker with a blend of sportiness and luxury in the right amounts. Add to this an excellent ride and handling package and you have a car that customers will have no problem lining up for. This car starts at Rs 40.9 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) and competes with the BMW 3 Series and the Audi A4.
The C-Class has received 50,060 page views and 38,935 unique page views on CarWale.
Mercedes-Benz S-Class
The S-Class is what Mercedes thinks to be ‘the best car in the world’ and judging by what the order books have to say, there might be some truth to that claim. In fact, the car can compete in the best looking car ever built category at least. Equipped with innovative features, improved luxury and advanced technology, the new S-Class is what you can call a car with an impressive road presence. This tourer has set new boundaries for what a car is capable of doing and leaves competition far behind.
Pricey at Rs 1.6 crore, it is worth every penny considering the legacy it upholds. It competes with the Jaguar XJ, Audi A8 and the BMW 7 Series.
The S-Class has received 41,453 page views and 33,532 unique page views on CarWale.
This is quite an exhaustive list and in case you think there should have been more cars on this list do tell us.
