This year has been brilliant for the automotive industry as it launched several new and exciting products. Though the overall growth of the industry wasn’t encouraging, but the manufacturers are optimistic and have a stronger plan for the coming year. This year we had several major product launches of which few have been a great success. We tell you the products that changed the market this year in the order of their launch in India.
1) Honda Amaze:
We had driven a Honda Amaze prototype last year in Japan and we were amazed in the way it performed. This is a sub 4-metre sedan that has a specious second row and a large boot as well. Honda’s philosophy of Man Maximum, Machine Minimum has been helped them to improve the space efficiency in a car and Amaze is a great example to boast about. The Amaze has spacious interiors and what was more revolutionary is something under the hood. It is the 1.5-litre diesel engine from Honda. This is based on the i-DTEC technology and this is the first diesel engine for the Indian car market. It is the lightest as it made from aluminium, the best power in its segment of 100bhp and at the same time the most fuel efficient as per ARAI, returning 25.8km/l. Honda definitely has a winner in its hand and the sales number speak for it.
2) Mercedes-Benz A-Class:
Some luxury car makers were banking for entry-level hatches, while some didn’t. Mercedes-Benz was the first to take the gamble and it worked out. The A-Class is a trendy hatchback that attracts the youth. It is stylish and at the same time luxurious. Despite being a CBU, the German automotive has been successful to give a price tag that can attract more buyers than what competition has achieved. The A-Class is a perfect meld of style, technology, safety and innovation, and at the same time brand value that the three-pointed star possesses.
3) Ford Ecosport:
Ford has been in talks for more than a year for its Ecosport. The American manufacturer finally ended the wait as the company launched this new compact SUV. Ford didn’t just astonish everyone with the product and features, but it also priced it aggressively. The Ecosport has been a game changer for Ford, after the Figo and the product is niche in its segment. It isn’t just attracting other SUV buyers, but it is also eating into the sedan and premium hatchback market too. The Ecosport also has the revolutionary 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine that produces 125bhp of power and this makes it a brilliant product.
4) Hyundai Grand i10:
Hyundai has always been aggressive with the Indian market and it continues its trend. The Grand i10 is a product made especially for India, and it was launched in our country before its unveil at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The Grand i10 has been tweaked for Indian conditions as it has a longer wheelbase and rear AC vents for the second row passengers to make them comfortable. The windows in the second row is also larger for more spacious feel in the second row. Hyundai, has also introduced a new 1.1-litre diesel engine, making it the smallest diesel engine that is manufactured in the country.
Source : CarDekho - Hits in 2013
