All major manufacturers can now see the light at the end of the tunnel
TheFebruary 2022 i ssue would have been a mega Auto Expo special issue but we are still reeling under the pandemic and neither is there an Auto Expo later this month, nor a special issue. The industry continues to witness strong demand but the supply side problems continue both due to disruptions caused by COVID, and also the resulting semiconductor shortage issues. But things do seem to be getting better and all major manufacturers can now see the light at the end of the tunnel. And as the third COVID wave seems to subside, we are back this month with news of more product launches and drives as well as some exclusives in the form of upcoming cars.
Our Top Story this month details upcoming new cars including some very eagerly awaited ones from Hyundai, Mahindra and Volkswagen with spy shots of some of them. We have also driven the next generation Hyundai Tucson in the United States before its launch in India later in the year and have the exclusive drive report on the car as well. New vehicles have been hitting the showrooms with regularity through January and we have driven many of them including the Skoda Kodiaq, the Audi Q7, the Tigor CNG and also the new BMW scooter.
We have also driven the new 7-seater from Kia, the Carens ahead of its launch later in the month. While many manufacturers have tried to make a product that could compete with the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga at one end of the spectrum and the Toyota Innova at the other, our drive report details why the Carens has a good chance of succeeding where multiple others have failed.
And in addition to all the regular features, our road test pits two entry-level premium sedans from BMW and Mercedes-Benz against each other and found it very difficult to separate the two. Any guesses on which of them is our “driver’s car” and which of them is the “most comfortable car” of the test?
And till next month, stay safe, drive safely, be the better guy and always wear a helmet when riding and buckle up when in the car!