If Tata Nano, the world’s cheapest car, hogged the limelight in its last edition in 2008,
Toyota Motor’s new low-cost car, General Motor’s Beat compact and the Volkswagen Polo hatchback will be showstoppers this time around.
These are the largest carmakers: Japan’s Toyota displaced US firm General Motors as the world No. 1 early this year, while Germany’s Volkswagen is all set to take the crown with its takeover of German luxury carmaker Porsche. And they all know that , along with , will decide who wins the race.
Ford, the only American carmaker have survived the global recession without government intervention, will also unveil its trump car for India, the Figo compact, at the seven-day motoring extravaganza.
Another populate pavilion will be that of Maruti Suzuki, which is aggressively rolling out new small cars to defend its 50% market share in the country, is also planning to display half a dozen other models, a Maruti’s senior executive said
More than design and talent, the focus will be on small cars, which account for more than 75% of the 15 lakh cars set to be launched in the show.
But there will be big boys as well. The second-largest player in the domestic market, Hyundai Motor India, showcases its Santa FE sports utility vehicle and Avante sedan besides the i30 hatchback and the i40 sedan.
Toyota Motors, which is returning to the Indian motor show after six years, will also launch its globally acclaimed hybrid sedan, Pirus, along with a dozen other production an concept vehicles.
Volkswagen AG, Europe’s largest car maker, which picked up 20% stake in Suzuki Motor Corp., will cover the largest space in the motor show to launch its Polo compact car and display its yet-to-be launched sports utility vehicle Tiguan.
Polo will also have a sedan version, like Maruti’s Swift Dzire, and is expected to have aggressive price tag on its petrol and diesel variants. GM will launch Beat on January 5 at the Auto Expo and display its contemporary Camaro sports car and the generation Volt and Spark electric cars.
