With festive season around the corner, automakers are launching their best cars.
In the past four months, launches of luxury and super luxury cars have sped ahead of non-luxury ones.
'More than one brand in a showroom is too risky because customer loyalty in this market is low. Most people don't drive different cars made by the same manufacturer for a lifetime, they experiment.'
The ban does not speak about used luxury cars.
Automakers are caught in a chicken-and-egg situation: Prices have to come down if volumes are to increase, and volumes won't increase unless prices come down, notes Pavan Lall.
The Cyberster is currently sold in the UK for about Rs 63 lakh and is expected to be priced between Rs 65 lakh and Rs 70 lakhs.
Mercedes-Benz, Ferrari, Porsche and Lamborghini are some marquee badges that have introduced track cars to excite hard-core customers who want to push their cars to the limit, says Pavan Lall.
Audi sold 10,851 units last year, higher than Mercedes-Benz, which sold 10,201 units.
Prominent ones are Maruti's smoky Ciaz and Fiat's gorgeous Avventura.
There are a whopping 10 sedans slated for a launch in India this year. Rajesh Karkera/Rediff.com gives the lowdown.
While this hip-hop edition is unlikely to drive Merc's market share, the SUV exemplifies what the German automaker is best known for: Innovative engineering and, in this particular case, putting a smile on the face, discovers Pavan Lall.
The six-seater is built for long journeys, especially when you don't want to waste time and would rather wrap up meetings while, say, on the road to the airport, writes Pavan Lall.
Dealerships, too, are going all out to roll out the red carpet for women.
Trying out the most powerful Mercedes-Benz E-Class of all time - the AMG E 63 S 4Matic+ -- at the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida, India's only Formula 1 track, is serious business, as P Tharyan finds out.
BMW's plant in Chenna now has 50 per cent localisation.
The growth rate could continue for another seven years.
The answer would have been an unequivocal yes had the A4 been priced more aggressively, says Pavan Lall.
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The company introduced many firsts in 2014, including introduction of segment first products such as Audi A3 Sedan and Audi A3 Cabriolet.
'We have a customer base of 70,000 in India'.
Sweeping, swabbing, dusting, the dishes -- and the day ends in exhaustion even before it begins. So, it is no wonder that gadgets that can help ease the pressure are in hot demand, notes Pavan Lall.
Toyota, Mercedes Benz and BMW, have announced a hike already.
The car it not only the most powerful four-wheel in its segment but also offers more features compared to the competitors.
While the Q5 is a light driving car that feels like you can easily fling it over and around brooks and brushes and hills and plains, it's also versatile in that its rear seat is as comfy and spacious as you'd expect, says Pavan Lall.
'Some of the launches may get deferred due to the semiconductor shortage, which is unlikely to get resolved before the second half of 2022.'
And it feels entirely different when compared to all its earlier avatars, observes Pavan Lall.
However, it has an auditory feature that throws up a soft but audible whirring sound like a spaceship while driving as well as a different tone on the outside to let bystanders know a car is on its way, says Pavan Lall.
Carmakers usually come up with such year-end announcements.
Smooth engine, plush interiors, great suspension that handle dodgy roads with ease, futuristic design elements that have little by way of competition in the market -- it's all there, says Pavan Lall.
With cars like the Toyota Corolla and the Honda Civic selling in very small numbers and potentially even being phased out, the Octavia has very little competition, says Pavan Lall.
It has get-up-and-go and is possessed of immense agility, observes Pavan Lall.
Audi's strategy seems to point to pushing technology to directly connect with consumers using digital platforms and marketing to synchromesh into one seamless experience, says Pavan Lall.
The Three-Pointed Star also unveiled its 2021 motto coined as 'Reimagining Excellence', which aims at making the brand more desirable and drawing customers closer.
...followed by financial services, IT, and sales and marketing.
The challenge for BMW is to overtake Mercedes-Benz, which bounced back three years ago to become king of the hill.
Why is the Mini the only "lifestyle" auto badge that seems to be growing and staying strong? Pavan Lall finds out.
The 2-door vehicle may finds its way back in India with the launch of the all-new Thar by Mahindra and Mahindra, says Rajesh Karkera.
For those who've always wanted to drive a BMW in India, the 2 Series is easily the most fun to drive everyday car that money can buy.
Seven years after it announced Nexa, there's no mistaking the seriousness with which Maruti wants the segment to grow, says Pavan Lall.
In Kerala, the use of black ranges from such convenience to strictures by community and religion to fashion and personal choice. One would have to be really insecure or too fond of the well settled life to see black solely as a badge of protest, points out Shyam G Menon.
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