Compact SUVs emerge biggest attraction at auto show

This is the season for compact SUVs or sedans in the Auto Expo, as many auto makers planning to rolled out such vehicles in the event aiming to capitalise on the fastest growing market in coming days.

While market leader Maruti Suzuki India unveiled compact sport utility vehicle Vitara Brezza at the auto show, South Korean rival Hyundai Motor launched a concept SUV. Tata Motors also displayed production-ready compact SUV ‘Nexon’ and compact sedan ‘Kite 5’.

Volkswgen brought its own compact sedan — the Ameo — built on the Polo platform, as the company plans to push its sales. The Ameo is expected to launch later this yea. Even General Motors is also looking to join the race next year with new Essentia compact sedan.

“In India, the sub-compact SUV market is growing and we are looking at it very closely,” Hyundai Motor India Managing Director Young Key Koo said, while launching the concept compact SUV HND-14.

Taking the cue from the growing market for sub-four metre vehicles, more and more companies are jostling to unveil small SUVs or compact sedans, and several machines likely to hit the market by the end of this year, or early next year.

At present, the sub­four­metre segment contributes almost 16 per cent to the total car market in the country. The compact sedan segment with the number of brands like Figo Aspire, Honda Amaze, Hyundai XCent, Maruti Suzuki DZire and Tata Zest ­ has grown at 12 per cent in 2015.

“The sub­-four ­metre segment products are priced competitively, and this category will continue to outpace more premium mid-size cars in future,” says MSI ED (Marketing and Sales) R S Kalsi said.