New car models start to make global debut in India

Time was when Indians only had hand-me-down car designs from the west. The Ambassador was based on a Vauxhall design from the 1950s (if not earlier), while the Fiat (and subsequently the Premier) was based on Fiat’s old designs. Both these car-makers had just one basic model and “new models” only meant cosmetic changes to the grille or tail lights or maybe the seating.  Little wonder that Maruti, which was born in the early 1980s, and after about 10 years of focusing on 2-3 models, began launching a new model every 4-5 years, was a big hit.

Things changed swiftly in the last 10 years or so, with many more global car makers setting up shop in India and launching new models almost every year. But even so, not every carmaker offered new models on every car. India was labelled a “small car” market.

Now, automobile manufacturers around the world have begun focusing on small, fuel-efficient cars because oil prices at $100/barrel and steadily climbing will make gas-guzzlers unafordable. And also, there is the worry around emissions and global warming. Even if individual cars reduce emissions because of better engines and fuel, the sheer increase in the number of cars means an alarming rise in the world’s carbon footprint.

But what this has done for India-which is expected to be one of the largest markets for small cars- is to embolden car-makers enough to launch new models in India BEFORE anywhere else in the world. So far, only Hyundai has done this with its i10, but I am sure the trend will catch on. Surely another chak de milestone for India!