Three car launches to watch out for this month

Subdued demand growth last year notwithstanding, car companies are ready with their offerings to begin the new year on a fresh note, with at least three crucial launches lined up this month.

Mumbai-based Tata Motors, which has finally found its footing in the car market after the launch of a compact sedan few months ago, is eager to unleash its second model Bolt (a hatchback). Bolt will be launched on January 22.

Built using the same platform as the Zest (a compact sedan), the all-new Tata hatchback is ready to take on Hyundai's Grand i10, Chevrolet Sail, Maruti Suzuki Swift, Honda Brio and Volkswagen Polo. Tata Motors has already begun accepting bookings for the Bolt.

The launch is significant for the struggling car maker because it is aimed at improving volumes and market share, both of which have been sliding for the past two years. Alhough actual pricing will be revealed only at the time of launch, it is expected that the Bolt will be priced between Rs 3.8-5.5 lakh.

German luxury car maker Mercedes-Benz will unveil a rival to the Audi A3 in the form of CLA, a compact sedan which is set for launch on January 22. The bookings of the car, which is expected to cost between Rs 25-30 lakh, have begun with a booking amount of Rs 2 lakh.

Mercedes-Benz has been able to race to the second position in the luxury car segment because of successful launches such as the A Class and B Class compact cars. The CLA is based on the same platform as the A and B Class.

More than a fourth of the Mercedes-Benz's sales come from the compact car models. However, the top-selling product for the German brand remains the E Class sedan. The CLA launch will complete the launch cycle in the compact space after the company launched the GLA, a crossover, last year.

Another important launch will happen on January 15 when Nissan introduces the Datsun Go+, a multi-utility vehicle, similar to the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga. The Go+ will be the second new product from the Datsun stable following the launch of Go, a hatchback, launched last year. The launch of Go+ is important because the Go has not been able to live up to the expectations of Nissan as volumes have been on the lower side.

In addition to the Ertiga, the multi-seater Go+ will also target customers of Honda Mobilio, Chevrolet Tavera, Toyota Innova, Mahindra Xylo, Tata Sumo and Force Motors Trax. It is expected that the Go+ will be priced in the range Rs 5.5-7.5 lakh.

Two-wheelers dont want to be left behind either. While at least one launch is expected from the house of Bajaj Auto, a new performance-oriented Italian brand Benelli will make its way into India this month.

Launched through DSK, a Pune-based contract manufacturer for South Korea's bike maker Hyosung, Benelli products will be present in the 300cc and above category to compete against established players like Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha and Suzuki.