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India Spotlight★ Auto Expo Clearly Emphasizes Sedans
At the Auto Expo 2014 automotive and motorcycle exhibition held in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, northern India (February 5-11), automakers unveiled new models of mid-size and compact sedans, as well as upgraded versions of existing models. This exhibition strongly reflected the current state of the Indian auto market, where the focus is shifting from hatchbacks to sedans. This was reported by NNA, which distributes economic information in Asia.
Toyota Motor Corporation has unveiled the 11th generation of its mid-size sedan, the Corolla Altis.
Toyota Motor Corporation announced the 11th generation mid-size sedan "Corolla Altis." Pre-orders began on the 5th. Since its introduction in India in 2003, this model has sold 88,000 units. Chief Engineer Shinichi Yasui explained, "We widened the wheelbase by 100 mm to ensure high passenger comfort." The company also launched the "Cross," a compact SUV variant of its flagship brand "Etios."
Nissan Motor also unveiled the tenth-generation model of its mid-size sedan, the Sunny. According to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), the Sunny is the company's flagship model, accounting for about 40% of its Indian sales (including exports). Nissan also unveiled the GO hatchback under its emerging markets brand, Datsun.
Market leader Maruti Suzuki announced the "Opula," a customized version of its global compact sedan "Desire." Pannit Dawan, the company's corporate communications officer, stated, "Our strength lies in compact cars. While we monitor market needs, segments like the 'Alto 800' and 'Swift' will remain our core focus," indicating a cautious stance on moving into mid-size or premium segments.
Hyundai Motor, the second-largest player, is introducing the new compact sedan "Excent." Developed based on the platform of its flagship compact hatchback "Grand i10," this new model features airbags for both the driver and front passenger seats. It also automates the operation of the side mirrors.
Ford unveiled a sedan version of its global strategic compact sedan, the Fiesta, alongside a concept car for the small hatchback Figo. With an overall length under 4 meters, it falls into the small (B-segment) category, which accounts for one-third of passenger car sales in India, where fierce competition is expected. However, a spokesperson stated, "Global demand for small cars is high, and we aim to increase sales, including exports."
Japanese brands lead in scooters
In the motorcycle segment, Japanese manufacturers also successively unveiled new scooter models, emphasizing fuel efficiency and driving performance to capture the rapidly expanding market. Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI), occupying the largest space in the motorcycle booth, announced the launch of the new "Activa 125" (125cc displacement), a higher-end variant of its flagship "Activa" scooter. President Takashi Ito, who traveled from Japan, emphasized, "Among the many scooters in the Indian market, this model excels in fuel efficiency and other aspects."
India Yamaha Motor (IYM) unveiled its new model, the "Alpha" (113cc displacement). Boasting high fuel efficiency of 62 km per liter of gasoline, it targets women and families. Priced at 49,518 rupees (approximately 80,000 yen), IYM aims to sell 200,000 units within the first year of sales. Yamaha Motor President Hiroyuki Yanagi, participating in the press conference from Japan, expressed enthusiasm, stating, "We will capture consumers' hearts with this new model."
According to SIAM, motorcycle sales in India from April to December 2013 reached 12,466,991 units. While scooters accounted for only 21.3% of this total at 2,652,720 units, their growth rate was 17.8% year-on-year, significantly outpacing the growth rate of motorcycles (3.6% increase). This is driven by increasing use by women in urban areas and their adoption as a means of transportation for local errands like shopping. The perception that scooters offer high convenience due to their larger cargo space is growing.
While Hero MotoCorp leads the overall motorcycle market share, Honda dominates the scooter segment. Japanese manufacturers aim to expand their model lineup in this market with significant latent demand, seeking to pull further ahead of local players who are lagging in technology and other areas.
Local manufacturers focused on concept cars
Local manufacturers focused their exhibits on concept cars. Bajaj Auto unveiled the "UCAR" concept four-wheeled rickshaw (release date undecided). It features a system capable of running on fuels other than gasoline, and its side doors open vertically.
Hero, the largest two-wheeler manufacturer, showcased a diesel-electric hybrid scooter, the hydrogen fuel cell motorcycle "iON," and electric bicycles, highlighting its advanced technological capabilities.
Terra Bets on Electric Two-Wheelers
Meanwhile, electric motorcycle startup Terra Motors has set a sales target of 10,000 units in India for fiscal year 2014 (April 2014 to March 2015). India's electric motorcycle market is estimated at around 100,000 units, and the company aims to capture 10% of this market.
The company also plans to launch the electric scooter "A4000i" (price and release date undecided). The A4000i features a lithium-ion battery system designed for home charging. A full charge takes approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes, with the battery life rated for about 50,000 kilometers. While its top speed of 65 km/h is slower than gasoline-powered bikes, the company aims to differentiate itself by highlighting Japanese technological strengths like battery performance.
At a press conference in the exhibition booth, President Tetsu Tokushige also announced an investment of 300 million rupees (approximately 490 million yen) for new factory construction, promotional activities, and sales network development.
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