The 12th Auto Expo in India started on Wednesday with the country’s largest passenger cars manufacturer Maruti Suzuki India unveiling two new concepts code named — Ciaz sedan and S-cross (crossover of SX4) — which would be launched in future.
Hyundai Motor India showcased a concept sedan code named HND9-Venace and launched a new (third generation) face-lifted version of the Santa Fe priced between Rs 26.35 lakh and Rs 29.25 lakh. The new sports utility vehicle (SUV) will be available in both two-wheel and four-wheel drive option in manual as well as automatic transmissions.
Renault unveiled a concept car called KWID, which will be made for countries such as India. The Indian subsidiary also unveiled new versions of SUVs Koleos and Duster, and Fluence sedan, which will be launched in the near future.
Ford Motor unveiled the new Figo concept and Fiesta sedan, which are expected to be launched in the near future. "We are committed to going further to serve our customers in India with a full family of global vehicles," Jim Farley, Executive Vice-President - Global Marketing (sales and service), Ford Motor, said.
In the two-wheeler category, Honda Motorcyle and Scooter India (HMSI) showcased four global models and three new models to be launched this year. The company also showcased the new Activa 125 to be launched soon.
The company said it will also assemble the CBR 650R from India in the near future. HMSI’s sales volumes are the second highest for Honda's two-wheeler business worldwide.
"We believe India may soon be the top market for Honda. We will reach closer to our customers with our fourth plant coming up in Gujarat by the first half of 2015-16. We will invest Rs 1,100 crore for creating 1.2 million units annual capacity," Trakanobu Ito, President, CEO and Representative Director, Honda Motor Company Japan, said.
In the superbikes segment, Harley-Davidson India launched the Street 750 motorcycle priced at Rs 4.1 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The new bike will be built out of the Bawal (Haryana) plant, Anoop Prakash, Managing Director, Harley-Davidson India said.
With this, the company's facility at Bawal will roll out 10 models priced between Rs 4.1 lakh and Rs 18.50 lakh, he added.