The "Big Car" Situation.

               

                   I've usually seen loads of hatchbacks and compact sedans on Indian roads. But now, that is changing. I'm not saying that their numbers have fallen tremendously. But, avenues for various other car body style segments have opened up in the last year. These new body styles are mainly MUV's ( Multi Utility Vehicles) or SUV's (Sports utility vehicles). People want a "Badi Gadi" (Hindi for: Big Car). Over the previous one year, there've been loads of new launches in the MUV segment - there was the Ertiga which was, and still is an absolute hit. Then, there was the Evalia which was launched -  the vehicle wasn't a great hit. But, it does show that Nissan has now started selling cars in India which actually matter to the regular Indian family. Then, there was the Quanto from Mahindra. I've not seen many on the roads yet. But, a sub 4 meter seven seater like the Quanto is tough to come by. There was the updated Xylo which actually helped rectify alot of the quirky looks of the Xylo. However, the Innova still stands strong. But, it does need an upgrade (not just a cosmetic upgrade - a FULL FLEDGED one). Last year, we also saw Tata's "Cross over" the Aria which to most people seemed like something offering competition to the Innova. What many people failed understand was that it wasn't aimed to be your stock MUV - it was a 7 seater combined with subtle 4 x 4 capabilities.
             Moving a segment higher, we enter the SUV segment. Most of the SUV's are 7 seaters with 4x4 capabilities and low range transfer gearboxes. On the lower end, the Tata Safari Storme seems like an interesting package priced at around 13 lakhs. Moving one, the Mahindra XUV  isn't really a body on ladder frame SUV and, neither does it come with a proper low range transfer gearbox. But, it is selling - selling like hot cakes. The bookings open, and in a while, they're closed. A segment higher than this is dominated by the Ford Endeavour which is growing old. But still, the Endeavour is AMAZING offroad. Now, there's the Ssangyong Rexton too - which seems promising. The Rexton could possibly have what it takes to overtake the sales of the Endeavour and the Toyota Fortuner.
            So yeah, that's about it. In my opinion, the Ertiga is surely going to take the MUV market by a storm - it's compact, cheaper than the competition, seats 7 and drives like a car. In the SUV segment, it'll be a matter of time before one can predict whether the Rexton has what it takes to beat the competition. Other than the Rexton, I'd surely prefer the Ford Endeavour over a Toyota Fortuner. I know that the Endeavour is not as feature loaded as the Fortuner. But, when it comes to offroad performance, the Endeavour is better than the Toyota Fortuner.

- Naayl Humza,

14 year old Car Enthusiast