This is that time of the year when the Indian audience is keen to know about the new offerings coming next year. Around the 2014 Auto Expo in February, we will be witnessing around 20 new cars and 12 facelifts. Most of the car manufacturers are betting big for the year 2014 and have planned aggressive strategies to see significant growth over the sluggish 2013 year. Maruti Suzuki, India’s largest automaker had nothing new to offer in 2013 apart from the Wagon R Stingray, which is more or less a facelift of the Wagon R. Maruti Suzuki has planned three all-new offerings for the year 2014, which includes a new hatchback (codenamed YL7), mid-size sedan (codenamed YL1) and mid-size CUV (Codenamed YAD).
The new hatchback from Maruti Suzuki will replace the A-Star, which will be launched around January-February. The mid-size sedan is intended to replace the SX4 and the mid-size CUV is a hatchback based on the new SX4 that is expected to hit the showrooms later in 2014. Honda India is preparing to attack the Indian market aggressively with a new product lineup and engines. The Japanese automaker has globally unveiled the new Honda City already, which is set to launch in January. The new Honda Jazz, Honda Mobilio MPV and Honda Vezel SUV will be showcased at the Auto Expo and will be launched gradually soon after.
Toyota is preparing to revive the Corolla nameplate in 2014 with the next generation Corolla to stiffen the competition in the D-segment. Nissan had announced the revival of Datsun brand in India in July and the budget brand will hit the stage at the Auto Expo with the GO hatchback and the GO+ compact MPV. Datsun GO hatchback is scheduled to be launched around January – February, while the Go+ MPV will be launched later in mid-2014. Renault has seen tremendous appreciation for the Duster in India and now the carmaker will showcase the Renault Lodgy MPV, which is intended to launch in 2014.
Hyundai is the second largest carmaker in India gulping volumes rapidly with its aggressive price packaging. The Korean carmaker is planning to add new products to its portfolio in India which includes a compact SUV and the Grand i10 compact sedan. Both the new offerings will be showcased at the Auto Expo. While the compact SUV will take time to launch in India, the Grand i10 based sedan will hit the showrooms by mid-2014.
Tata Motors is considering to launch the Vista and Manza successors (codenamed Falcon 4 and Falcon 5) in 2014 with a new nameplate and considerable changes that will be showcased at the expo. After an overwhelming response seen for the EcoSport, Ford is all set to launch the next generation Figo in 2014 with substantial changes in styling and equipment. Ford India will be showcasing the Figo concept at the Auto Expo. Some of the facelifts expected around next year include the Maruti Swift, Chevrolet Beat, Skoda Yeti, Superb, Mahindra Scorpio, Renault Duster, Hyundai i20, Elantra, Verna, etc.
The premium segment will also see some action next year. Fiat-Chrysler’s Jeep brand will enter Indian shores with the Grand Cherokee and Wrangler initially. Audi will showcase the new A3 sedan, while Mercedes-Benz will come up on stage with the GLA and CLA.
The 2014 Auto Expo is scheduled to be held between February 6 and 12. Compared to the previous Auto Expo, the upcoming exhibition will see 30 percent increase in display space. The 2014 Auto Expo will be held at a new venue in Greater Noida.