When Maruti launched the Celerio with the AMT (automated manual transmission) version early this year, the market made a huge beeline for the product. Now with the entry car, Alto, also due to get an AMT option, it will be interesting to see how this paves the way for an automatic wave in India.
For years, customers have preferred manual transmissions despite difficult traffic conditions as they have always been paranoid about lower mileage in automatics. Ironically, many years ago, Maruti had to withdraw the Zen automatic from the market as there were just no takers precisely for this reason.
Times have sure changed now with the Celerio setting the pace for the transition and the top-selling Alto tipped to take the story to the next level. Like Maruti, Tata Motors also has an AMT option for the recently launched Zest (diesel) compact sedan. It is likely that the Bolt hatchback, due to debut next month, will have this feature too.
The Nano was initially planned as an automatic too given that the inspiration for the people’s car was the gearless scooter. One wonders if market reception to the product would have been different had it stuck to this plan. For the moment, though, Maruti has taken the lead and a market of young buyers is now ready to move beyond the cumbersome manual transmission.
Also read: >Alto K10 review