Cars with Automatic Transmission- Latest Trend In Indian Auto Market

There is no doubt in saying that Indian car industry always has something new to serve its people. Indian car industry comes up with efficient technologies and attractive designs that enhances one's driving experience, as well. Now lets talk about cars with automatic transmission, they are very common in foreign countries but in India, they are still gaining popularity. Most of the car manufacturers are gradually coming up with the new variants which are equipped with automatic gear box. Another important aspect that need to be considered, cars with automatic transmission is getting good consumer response and in turn experiencing good sales.

It has also been experienced that automatic cars are very popular among women drivers, as automatic transmission unit does not require a driver’s intervention while driving. The driver is only required to use the acceleration and brake pedals as and when required. So, he/she can comfortably enjoy the drive without having to change gears. And that is why women drivers feel easy to drive, which in turn leads to high sales growth of automatic cars.

Some of the models which are enabled with automatic transmission are Chevrolet Captiva (AT version), Honda City, Hyundai's i20, Mitsubishi Outlander, Fiat's Linea, etc. Unlike before, the car manufacturers are now coming up with five to six speed automatic transmission systems which result in better and improved pick up, fuel-efficiency and performance of the car.

Top 5 Small Cars in India by Maruti Suzuki

There's one thing common in all Maruti Suzuki customers- they gawk at the stunning looks of a brand new car, revel at the news of a recent launch, but when it comes to buying cars for themselves they stick to the good old vehicles with trustworthy Maruti Suzuki logo on them. Such is the goodwill of the brand, and such is the versatility of these small cars in India.

Here are the top 5 Maruti Suzuki small cars in India till date:

Maruti Suzuki 800- Still produced in four iterations, with two costlier LPG versions, these four generations old Maruti Suzuki cars are still the most favored vehicles of car lovers who belong to the middle income group in India. If you are looking for the most economic buy, go for the AC LPG version. But one thing, you have to come to terms with - Maruti Suzuki 800 cars are more than just common on the Indian roads.


Maruti Suzuki Alto- A notch superior to Maruti Suzuki 800, the Alto wins hands down when it comes to versatility. Go for the top-end LXi model, for that makes the smartest choice. But then again, be sure to come across a hundred similar Altos once you hit the roads.

Maruti Suzuki A-Star- If you are the one those who prefer no compromise in the quality stakes, then this Maruti car is surely meant for you. Contemporary in looks, Maruti Suzuki A-Star comes powered with a three-cylinder engine from the new K-series family, and enjoys a satisfactory demand in the European market as well.

Maruti Wagon R- with the recent breathtaking launch of its Blue Eyed Boy, Maruti Wagon R is going strong and steady. It has very attractive sporty looks, and offers brilliant utilization of space and effortlessness to drive. One hardly gets to pin point a turn-off in this Maruti car, except for the tech-savvy car enthusiasts.

Maruti Suzuki Swift- You see a Swift on roads and you don't feel for a second that this Maruti car is already 5 years old. The Getz, the biggest competitor of Swift has come and went and this Maruti small car still remains fresh. No wonder, it tops the list of all-time favorite small cars in India.

Top 5 Upcoming SUVs in India

Gone are the days when sport utility vehicles or SUVs used be a rich man's passion and a poor man's fantasy. Now with economic buoyancy almost every middle-class elite Indian can afford a SUV in India. The domestic auto market is flooded with several new launches in the utility vehicle segment, and every automaker, both Indian as well as foreign, is trying to grab a pie of it. Following are the top 5 upcoming SUVs that are going to make debut in India in the year 2010:

Skoda Yeti

Skoda Yeti: Thought to be the missing link between Octavia and Fabia in India, Skoda Yeti is going to be the first crossover from the Czech manufacturer to hit Indian roads.

It will come in a 140 bhp 2.0L common-rail diesel and a 103 bhp 1.2- liter petrol engine. The SUV in India will also get the 4X4 transmission as standard.

Tata Indicruz : This much-awaited sports utility vehicle is a Tata crossover based on a brand new technology platform with a generous wheelbase of 2750 mm. It will carry a 2.1-liter Dicor engine that can generate a power of 140 bhp and a maximum torque of 320 Nm. This new SUV in India has highly sophisticated interiors and comfort features that are synonymous with all Tata vehicles.

Hyundai Santa Fe

Hyundai Santa Fe- Cars and sedans from Hyundai have always been quite successful in Indian subcontinent. Now, the ace Korean car maker is gearing up to introduce the Santa FE to Indian automobile market by mid-2010. A crossover SUV based on the Sonata platform, Santa Fe will be powered by a 2.2-liter diesel powerplant mated to a high definition 5-speed manual gearbox. This upcoming SUV model is expected to give Chevrolet Captiva, Honda CR-V and the recently launched Nissan X-Trail a tough time ahead.

Volkswagen Tiguan

Here comes another compact crossover SUV for Indian car lovers. Based on the A5 (PQ35) platform of the Mk V Golf, Volkswagen Tiguan will be available in two body styles and three specification levels: Tiguan Sport & Style, Tiguan Trend & Fun, and Tiguan Track & Field.

Volvo XC60

A “soft-roader” to be, this stylish SUV from the Swedish car maker Volvo will give BMW X3 and the Audi Q5 a tough competition in the years to come.

Rising Demand of Indian Cars in The Overseas Market

Demand for Indian cars in the overseas market is on the rise. Indian car makers are expanding their overseas presence more fiercely than ever, and that too at a time when global automakers are busy buffering themselves against soaring fuel prices. This has been reflected in the exports figures of the recently ended fiscal report. Export of Indian cars witnessed a robust 33.23 per cent growth.

According to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), export of Indian cars from the passenger car segment touched a figure of 4,41,710 units in FY10 against 3,31,535 units in the previous financial year. The increase was primarily driven by the demand for Indian cars in the small car category in the European nations, which offered handsome incentives to those buying new cars in exchange of their old ones under a “scrappage incentive program.”

Indian car makers who reaped the maximum benefits from this incentive program included Hyundai Motor India and Maruti Suzuki India. On an overall basis, export of Indian cars grew by 17.90 per cent at 18,04,619 units in 2009-2010, which was at 15,30,594 units in 2008-09.

However, in a not-so-interesting recent turn of events, the scrappage incentive program got withdrawn from the European nations, and now the Indian auto industry experts and car manufacturers fear that this will hit the export of Indian cars to the overseas market rather badly. Another reason that is being sited for the prospective slump in the export of the Indian cars is the recent rise in demand for Indian cars in the domestic market.

Indian car market is poised to grow by an impressive 12-15 per cent this year, and the production facilities of the major car manufacturers are already in stretch and are struggling to meet the rising domestic demand. Now, whether the car majors are successful in living up to the demand of Indian car market while delivering a decent export figures at the same time, only time will tell.