Report on the Indian automobile industry
An overview of the Indian automobile sector and some of its notable players
The Indian automobile industry was the fourth largest in the world as of 2019, surpassing Germany in terms of sales. According to data released by Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), the industry has attracted Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) worth US$22.35 billion during the period of April 2000 to June 2019. With new entrants making headway into the market like Kia Motors India, Volvo Cars India and MG Motor India, the country is shining on the international automotive platform with its emerging market segments.
With environmental transitions becoming the need of the hour, sustainable automation is slowly yet steadily nding takers in India too. In 2020, alongside renowned car launches, we can expect the electric car market in India to grow signi cantly. e National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) 2020 was formulated back in 2013, to encapsulate a better approach towards tackling carbon emissions and vehicular pollution. Currently, Hyundai Kona Electric, Mahindra e-Verito, Mahindra e2o, Tata Tigor EV 2019 and Tata Nexon EV 2020 are the fully electric cars in the India market. e charging infrastructure in India is still largely nascent, with an enormous scope for development. Considering the anticipated rise in demand for EV facilities, hopefully, 2020 will be the year for substantial initial growth of the same.
Close to 140 cars are expected to launch in India in 2020-21. Out of which, it is estimated there will be three hybrids, 27 sedans, 66 SUVs among several others. Looks like there’s much to look forward to!
Here’s a lowdown on some of the notable players in this ever accelerating industry and their plans for this year.
CLASSICS HONDA CARS INDIA
Honda Cars India, formerly known as called Honda Siel Cars India, is a subsidiary of Japan’s Honda Motor Company. Although it began its India operations in 1995, it became a wholly owned subsidiary of Honda only in 2012. In the country, it has an array of models including City and Accord — the signature Honda wheels widely seen on Indian roads. e others include Jazz, CR-V, Amaze, BR-V, WR-V and Civic.
eir latest introduction — Honda Accord hybrid — is an eco-friendly car that aligns with the brand’s ‘green path’ initiative that commits to eco-friendly technology. hondacarindia.com
HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
Hyundai Motor Company is the second largest car manufacturer in India with a 16.2 per cent market share and is a subsidiary of the Hyundai Motor Company (HMC). Currently, it has nine car models across several segments including Santro, Grand i10, Elite i20, Xcent, Verna, Active i20, Elantra, Creta and Tucson. is year, expect launches in the SUV, hatchback and sedan car types. Since its inception in the country, it is the premier ranking car exporter and it is committed to cutting-edge technology that scale global standards. Hyundai also topped in the J D Power 2018 India Customer Service Index Study. is year, buyers who are looking for sustainable alternatives can look forward to the Hyundai Ioniq (sedan), which is a hybrid electric car and is likely to be launched in the rst half of 2020. hyundai.com/in
MARUTI SUZUKI INDIA
India’s largest passenger car company, Maruti Suzuki India, dominates more than 50 per cent of the domestic car market. It does so by fusing design and technology, constantly adapting to the facets of customer needs. Formerly known as Maruti Udyog, the company was a part of the public sector, with Suzuki being a minor partner. In 1982, a year a er its formation, it signed a joint venture agreement with Suzuki Motor Corporation, Japan. Ever since, the company has evolved and widened its market, which
The Seltos has created a buzz in the Indian market
now sprawls across diverse customer bases whilst ensuring that its cars meet new age customer expectations. e products range from the e cient entry level Alto to the classic hatchback Ritz. Wagon R, A-star, Swi , Estilo, Grand Vitara and Dzire are some of its other models launched in India. Approximately eight Maruti Suzuki car launches are expected in India in 2020-21, including the environment-friendly Wagon R electric car and the Vitara Brezza 2020. marutisuzuki.com
ŠKODA AUTO INDIA
Škoda Auto India is a subsidiary of Škoda Auto, one of the most rapidly growing car manufacturers in Europe. It has four models on sale in India: Superb, Octavia, Rapid and Kodiaq. uite recently, towards the end of 2019, Volkswagen Group India announced the merger of its Indian subsidiaries — Volkswagen India and Škoda Auto India, into an amalgamated and single entity. Octavia, which was the rst domestically built Škoda, gathered a huge number of takers with its excellent fuel e ciency in harmony with other factors that resulted in a higher level of drive-ability. In 2020-21, around eight new models are expected to be launched, entailing three sedans, four SUVs and one hatchback. skoda-auto.co.in
DYNAMIC ENTRANTS KIA MOTORS INDIA
In 2017, Kia Motors, a Korean automobile company, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Government of Andhra Pradesh to build a new manufacturing facility in one of its districts. Shortly a er, it rolled out Kia Seltos, which is the brand’s rst product in the mid-SUV segment. e Seltos has created a buzz in the Indian market, and despite the industry slowdown, its sales doubled in the utility segment post its sensational launch in August 2019. Packed with admirable features at a competitive price, this car has made a huge impact in the Indian market. However, just a single model in the market is potentially a peril to its continuity. e Korean company is therefore geared up and aiming to shake the market again with a few launches. e upcoming ones for this year are: Carnival, QYI, Rio and Picanto. kia.com
MG MOTOR INDIA
Founded in the UK in 1924, Morris Garages (MG) vehicles were renowned globally for their sports cars, roadsters, and cabriolet series. Morris Garages, now present in India, is known as MG Motor India and is a subsidiary of the Chinese SAIC Motor Corporation. It was set up in 2017, but its manufacturing and sales operations began only in 2019. MG Motor India unveiled the country’s ‘ rst internet car’ in May 2019. e futuristic MG Hector also unveiled the 48V hybrid SUV, encompassing sophisticated technology that enables reduction in petrol engine emissions. e lithium ion battery additionally augments extra torque assistance, making the drive undeniably smoother. MG ZS EV is another model representing environmental sustainability. Upcoming MG cars in India include the Gloster, D90, Baojun 510 and RX5.
GERMAN LUXE MERCEDES BENZ INDIA
Mercedes-Benz India is the subsidiary of the German Daimler AG. Mercedes-Benz launched its Indian pre-owned car brand, ‘Mercedes-Benz Certi ed’ in December 2014, by the simultaneous inauguration of 12 new ‘Mercedes-Benz Certi ed’ outlets across India, making its customer base expectedly larger. Synonymous with classic extravagance, Mercedes-Benz was adjudged by e Economic Times’ Brand Equity as ‘India’s Most Exciting Brand’ in 2015 and topped the survey in the automotive four-wheeler category. e company has received the highest rank in the J.D. Power 2018 India Customer Service Index (CSI) study of the luxury car segment as well. It fuses spaciousness and sophistication with agility and superior technology. It recently announced its foray into electric category in India by launching its product and technology brand ‘EQ’. Luxury car lovers can expect an exhilarating number of launches in 2020, which include the V-Class, CLA 2020, A-Class sedan and the EQC (which is its rst fully electric vehicle, re ecting sustainable luxury). mgmotor.co.in
AUDI INDIA
Audi is represented in more than 100 countries globally and has been involved in the Indian market since 2004. In 2007. It established itself as a division of Volkswagen Group Sales India, establishing a roadmap into its ambitious growth plans in the country. At its heart, the brand is sporty and classic and renders solutions that re ect these values alongside state-of-the-art technology. Audi o ers 13 car models in India. On January 15, 2020 the German luxury car manufacturer launched the new face of its Q family — the Audi Q8, a stylish SUV. All in all, 2020 is expected to witness seven Audi launches totally. Among these cars, there are two sedans, four SUVs and one coupe. audi.in
BMW INDIA
BMW India was established in 2006 and is a wholly owned subsidiary of the German BMW Group. e car company locally produces the 3 Series, 3 Series Gran Turismo, 5 Series, 6 Series Gran Turismo, 7 Series and MINI Countryman amongst others. One of the notable concepts associated with the brand is BMW Corporate Sales, which o ers versatile solutions to companies for their requirements regarding automobile
eets and company cars, making it popular in the business world. To keep up with the imposing environmental challenges, BMW i, a comprehensive concept of sustainable mobility was developed in 2011.
e electric BMW i3, is completely emission free, and possesses stellar acceleration along with a high performing battery. e aerodynamically well-cra ed BMW i8, is a plug-in hybrid. Around four cars will be launched in India in 2020-2021, including the 8 Series, i3, X6 2020 and 2 Series. bmw.in
Audi will launch seven new models in 2020