Car News in India

The leader in small car segment Maruti Suzuki is now leading in the mid-size car segment in the last fiscal year. It has even beaten the Honda and Hyundai in their own territory- sedan cars. The impressive performance was driven by its successful sedan SX4.

This car is the only sedan in this category as Esteem was discontinued and the Swift Sedan-Dezire is yet to be launched commercially. Once Dezire hits the road, it is expected to push the entry level sedan sales for Maruti Suzuki. After having captured the A3 segment, the company is also mulling to launch a luxury sedan in the A4 segment, to compete against the likes of Toyota Corolla and Skoda Octavia. The company plans to develop the car and price it in the range of Rs 10-12 lakh per unit.

The company has sold 41,799 units has against the 27,283 units in the same period last year. Suzuki’s strategy to outgrow the compact car manufacturer mould has witnessed the 53.2 percent growth in the A3 segment from April 2007 to February 2008. The strategy has worked in beating Honda City (in the same segment) and Hyundai Accent and Verna.

Honda had held on to the number one position the previous financial year. Coming n at the second spot, Honda Seil Cars India has sold 34,029 units as against the 35,300 units in the corresponding period last year. Hyundai which comes in the third position with the two models Accent and Verna sold 29,146 units as against the 25,147 units a year ago. The fourth place is shared by two major car manufactures Ford and Tata Motors. Ford which offers Ford Ikon Flair and Fiesta and Fusion in this range has sold 26,485 units as against last years 34,681 units. Tata Motors which has Indigo and Indigo Marina has sold 26,485 units as against the 29949 units last year.

Logan which was the topped sales in February touched 22,823 units in the fiscal years. Mahindra Renault for the first time made an impact in the mid-size sedan segment with Logan, which has become popular with fleet operators.