Traditional heavy spenders on cricket properties Vodafone, car maker Hyundai Motors, Reliance Communications and soft drink major Coca-Cola have decided to stay out of the bidding for the sponsorship of the Indian cricket team with the Board of Control for Cricket in India setting a steep base price to Rs 510 crore for a four-year deal for one of cricket's most coveted sponsorships.
Overall, we feel that the Hyundai Elantra is a very good car for people who aren't into aggressive driving but for those who want refinement and comfort along with a long list of features and a pleasant driving experience.
Passenger vehicle wholesales in India rose by 14.16 per cent in August to 2,15,916 units, driven by pent-up demand, industry body SIAM said on Friday. According to the latest data by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers, passenger vehicle wholesales stood at 1,89,129 units in the same month last year.
'It says, we are not just an overseas player -- we are Kia India and here for good'
Market leader Maruti Suzuki sold 51,274 units, down 49.61 per cent from the same month last year. Hyundai Motor sold 21,320 units, a decline of 49.25 per cent and Mahindra & Mahindra sold 8,075 units, down 54.54 per cent.
While the overall passenger car industry is expected to grow at around seven per cent a year in the next five years, SUV growth is expected to be over 10 per cent.
Exports in August were up 10.3 per cent to 12,472 units from 11,305 units in the same month of previous year.
Maruti Ciaz and Ertiga are exempt from the infrastructure cess and so, there is no change in the prices of these models.
During April, Maruti Suzuki India's domestic car sales were up 2.72 per cent at 86,481 units, as against 84,188 units in the same month last year.
India is a market for low-priced cars with low running costs. The global majors don't have models that fit the bill; only Maruti and Hyundai have successful entry-level models, observes T N Ninan.
During May, Maruti Suzuki's domestic car sales were up 2.59 per cent at 87,402 units as against 85,190 units in the same month last year.
Let alone a discount, they might not even get the model, variant or colour of choice in BS-IV-compliant vehicles.
Almost all of these companies either unveiled their new electric vehicle or alternative energy-powered models.
The auto industry has had a mixed month. The build up to Dhanteras and Diwali was good but the demand tapered off subsequently.
There was no sale of premium sedan Kizashi during the month.
Tata Motors on Friday said it will hike the prices of its passenger vehicles, excluding the Nano, by up to Rs 36,000 from April 1, to offset rising input costs.
Nissan and Renault say they will compete with new models, especially small cars, and by growing their dealer network.
Ahead of the international auto show that begins next Wednesday, the Indian auto industry continues to be buffeted with bad news. According to data released by leading automobile companies on Saturday, the industry's sales volumes in January fell about five per cent from those in the same month last year.
It plans to increase India sales by a tenth, helped largely by launches next year
The increase in PV sales in September was driven by festive season purchases, with SUV models like Maruti Suzuki's Brezza, Hyundai Creta, Mahindra Scorpio, Ford Ecosport and Honda W-RV witnessing good traction
As per SIAM data, vehicle sales across categories, including passenger vehicles and two-wheelers and commercial vehicles stood at 18,21,490 units last month as against 23,82,436 units in August 2018, a fall of 23.55 per cent.
Tesla Inc, the world's largest electric car producer, is looking to make a significant investment in India, said its chief Elon Musk, who saw India as holding more promise than any other large country around the globe. Musk, after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said he plans to visit India in 2024. "I am confident that Tesla will be in India and we will do so as soon as humanly possible," Musk told reporters after the meeting.
India is sceptical that Tesla might import into the country cars made in China. Tesla executives were in India last month and appear to have proposed a factory in the country. But do not be surprised if that does not happen in a hurry.
Companies have also managed to find talent created by frequent exits.
The models from Hyundai and Maruti, which might go on sale in October 2018 and February 2019, respectively, are set to revive a segment that had lost sheen to the compact SUV segment, lately
Sales of diesel-powered utility vehicles have been declining in the past six months as the differential between petrol and diesel prices narrowed.
Cumulative sale at India's top six passenger vehicle (PV) makers dropped 0.7 per cent to 267,000 units, from 269,000 a year before.
Seven auto companies lost share in the current year because of different reasons.
Despite a rise in input costs, leading car-makers refrain from hiking their price.
The price differential has been upwards of 20%.
Vehicle prices have gone up as manufacturers gear up for the transition to stricter emission norm BS-VI from BS-IV beginning April 1.
Pandemic-hit auto majors are likely to set aside these time-tested strategies for now, and, instead, focus on attractive finance schemes and an enhanced digital experience.
The industry needs stimuli to help revive consumer demand and conversions.
Car deliveries during the nine-day period saw sharp year-on-year (double-digit increase for most automobile companies.
.jpg)
The compact segment makes up for nearly 25 per cent of car sales in India.
The facelifted Elantra is a loaded with features and will give it tough to rivals.
Ford said it had also shut its plant, with an annual capacity of 340,000 engines and 200,000 vehicles.
Market leader Maruti Suzuki is putting finishing touches to its plan of finding its feet in what is being hailed as a battle of epic proportions in India's fastest-growing passenger vehicle segment, reports Arindam Majumder.
Demand for passenger vehicles has been driven by new models, especially in the SUV category with the likes of Maruti Vitara Brezza and Hyundai Creta clocking good numbers
© 2026 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances