Cars we missed at the show

AUTO EXPO 2004

Some cars are exclusive for the global motor show circuit and some models serve as test-mules for impending launches.

It is therefore surprising that at the 7th Auto Expo at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi, manufacturers didn't showcase cars that are doing the rounds worldwide or those which are ready for launch in our country.

Take for instance India's biggest car maker, Maruti Suzuki. While they had their stars at the pavilion like the Concept-S, Formula Hayabusa and the Twin hybrid car, two much awaited Suzukis were absent "" the Liana and the Ignis.

The Liana, which closely resembles the new Honda City, will serve as an excellent replacement for the ageing Esteem.

The Ignis, on the other hand, is one of Suzuki's brilliant B+ segment cars and is even badged the Chevrolet Cruze for right-hand drive markets like Australia and Japan.

For India, however, the Ignis would be the car to upgrade to for people from the extremely popular B-segment comprising a host of Maruti-Suzukis and the Hyundai Santro.

Also, in the gigantic brand game that General Motors plays worldwide, two ex-Daewoos, the Magnus and the Nubira, have been badged as Suzukis and sold as the Verona and the Forenza respectively, in the US market.

What we could have seen is perhaps the Verona as Suzuki's gambit for the burgeoning Indian D-segment. Alternatively, it may come as the Chevrolet Epica, perhaps.

While Tata impressed with the Indiva prototype first shown at the Geneva Motor Show last year, what we expected was a mock-up of their ambitious 'Rs One Lakh Car'.

Tata Motors chairman Ratan Tata did say that research was underway for this project, the automaker could have given an indication of how the car for the people would have looked like.

DaimlerChrysler blew people's imagination with the hoity-toity Maybach, but it's the SLR-McLaren supercar that's doing the rounds and wowing audiences at all motor shows.

If the Maybach could be there, so could this new Ferrari Enzo-challenger from Stuttgart. Perhaps M-Class SUVs are the favourite CBU imports from DaimlerChrysler India, but the new CLK could have been on display.

The new CLK could have opened an all-new segment in the country, that of a luxurious, sporty convertible four-seater.

All the models Hyundai intends to launch in the country were there to sign the muster. The Korean giant could have considered flying in their extremely popular Santa Fe SUV to take on the likes of the Honda CR-V and the Chevrolet Forester.

Lastly, another member of the Volkswagen group wants to create a foothold in the luxury category of automobiles in the country, but the car they showcased was one which seemed too remote for volume sales.

Audi brought in the TT sports coupe, we expected that if they were serious in challenging Mercedes, the A6 or the A8 would have been more relevant.

No, it's not a case of sour grapes, we really liked and admired the machines that were present. Maybe next time...