If one leaves aside 2016, when sales declined 4.68 per cent, the pace of growth in 2018 is the slowest in a decade, according to IHS Markit, a sales forecast and market research firm.
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.
The company has been saying it would introduce the new car and it would be priced below Fabia, the range for which starts at around Rs 500,000. Other models of the company in India are Laura, Octavia and Superb.
VW cheating a 'well thought-out crime', diesel cars under lens
Czech automaker Skoda on Monday forayed into the midsize SUV segment in India with the launch of its new offering Kushaq, priced between Rs 10.5 lakh and Rs 17.6 lakh (ex showroom Delhi).
The yet-to-be-named car, which will be priced in the Hyundai i-10 price bracket, had crossed the feasibility study stage and was in the final stages of design. "Cars below Rs 5 lakh constitute nearly 80 per cent of the total Indian market. India is predominantly a small car market and we have a clear strategy to grow in the Indian market," Thomas Kuehl, member, board of directors (sales and marketing), Skoda India.
In an aggressive bid to more than double its sales, Volkswagen group company Skoda Auto India on Wednesday said it would launch Fabia and Octavia II sedans next year and make the Indian operations a hub for South Asia.
After a brief lull during the pandemic, there is a strong revival in luxury car sales, bolstered by more launches across price bands, replacement demand, ban on old diesel vehicles in the NCR, and 'revenge buying'.
'Approach people with respect, mindful that they know their job better than you do, and that you're not superior to them just because you may be better educated or their boss.' Skoda Auto VW India MD Gurpratap S Boparai cites his management credo to Pavan Lall.
'We are seeing one of the highest discounts in recent years across companies.' 'October is a crucial month with several festivals coming up.'
Volkswagen group company Skoda Auto India said on Wednesday that it would launch luxury car 'Superb' and premium sedan 'Laurin & Klement' in March and 'Fabia' would follow suit soon.
Car deliveries during the nine-day period saw sharp year-on-year (double-digit increase for most automobile companies.
Mercedes-Benz India, BMW India and Audi India have lined up over 50 new model launches as they seek to recoup previous year's loss in volumes, reports Shally Seth Mohile.
What worked for Hyundai in India when so many other auto manufacturers have had to eat humble pie? Pavan Lall finds out.
The company believes there is a shift in consumer demand, more buyers could opt for Skoda in future
'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.'
That means a manufacturer looking at a market like India needs to decide whether small, cheap cars or small, expensive cars or both will work better for them, says Pavan Lall.
Greenwashing is making misleading or false environment-friendly claims about a product. Consumers in India currently do not have any way of telling whether a claim is authentic or greenwashing. And one never hears of action against any company for making false claims of being environment-friendly.
It was in the 1960s that the Beetle attained its cult status, when it became almost synonymous with the hippie movement -- and succeeded in shaking off the grim history of its origins. As Volkswagen announces the end of the Bug's journey, Amrita Singh goes down a nostalgic road.
It may be the season for corporate matchmaking but India Inc's record of managing partnerships is far from impressive, says Shailesh Dobhal.
Chevrolet loses India on the map Why did GM's iconic all American brand mess up its chances in one of the fastest growing automobile markets?
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.
With a presence in the value segment, better service quality, and lower ownership cost, Skoda India's director of sales and marketing Zac Hollis aims to make important changes. He tells Arindam Majumder how he plans to make India the company's fifth-largest market by 2023.
The German luxury car manufacturer is quietly building on the legacy of the Mini, enticing young, trend-conscious and quality-oriented buyers with the promise of making them stand out in the crowd.
Palo Alto-based electric carmaker Tesla has initiated talks with the government on the modalities of setting up fully-owned retail outlets. The company needs to comply with the foreign direct investment (FDI) guidelines related to single-brand retail, including local sourcing norms, to sell directly in India. At least two other foreign majors - Apple and Ikea - were engaged in talks with the government long before the sourcing norms were eased under the single-brand retail route.
Harman, the premium global audio and infotainment group, which retails brands such as JBL, AKG and Harman-Kardon, is training Indian engineers based at its research and development centre in Bangalore to work on audio components for brands like BMW and Audi. This business contributes an estimated $600 million to the company's sales.
India's flagship motor show Auto Expo 2023 kicked off on Wednesday with the global unveiling of Suzuki Motor Corporation's concept electric SUV 'eVX' which is slated to hit the market by 2025. The company's Indian arm Maruti Suzuki India is among the major manufacturers participating in the show that has returned after three years. The Concept eVX is a mid-size electric SUV concept designed and developed by Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC), Japan. It will be powered by a 60 kWh battery pack offering up to 550 km of driving range on single charge.
There are a whopping 10 sedans slated for a launch in India this year. Rajesh Karkera/Rediff.com gives the lowdown.
The distinction between "cheap" and "affordable" is a fine one, but no one understands this better than India's aspirational first-time car-owner, says Kanika Datta.
Let alone a discount, they might not even get the model, variant or colour of choice in BS-IV-compliant vehicles.
Why is the Mini the only "lifestyle" auto badge that seems to be growing and staying strong? Pavan Lall finds out.
The Carens is a warning for cars such as the Tata Safari, Hyundai Alcazar, Maruti Ertiga, Toyota Innova Crista and Mahindra XUV 700, because Kia punches much harder than others in its weight category.
Buoyed by the success in a tiny but exclusive market, Lamborghini India, which operates dealerships in Mumbai, New Delhi and Bengaluru, is going to roll out another two, in Kolkata and Chennai, in the near future.
'This is purely a brand sale. It includes the Ambassador with its variants. Peugeot is likely to relaunch the brand with multiple variants.'
New Creta, petrol Vitarra Brezza.. A quick look at what went down at Auto Expo Day 2.
High ground clearance, a wide cabin and tall stance all mean that the Carens glides over bad roads with ease and comfort and an engine performance that is adequate in terms of the power of this vehicle, says Pavan Lall.
The total number of passenger vehicles (cars and utility vehicles) sold annually in the 1970s was 32,000 units - less than even one week's sales today.
The Ambassador was a durable enough brand to outlive the licence raj.
Why Kia is keen to drive into India? The Korean automobile maker plans to carve out a niche for itself in the crowded Indian market with its compact sedans and SUVs.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances