Three car launches to watch out for this month

Car companies are ready with New Year offerings and at least three crucial launches are lined up for this month.

Tata Motors, which found its footing in the car market after the launch of a compact sedan a few months ago, will unleash its second model Bolt, a hatchback, on January 22.

Built on the same platform as the Zest, a compact sedan, the new Tata hatchback is ready to take on Hyundai's Grand i10, Chevrolet’s Sail, Maruti Suzuki’s Swift, Honda’s Brio and Volkswagen’s Polo. Tata Motors has 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 on a slide for the past two years. Although the price will be revealed only at launch, the Bolt is likely to be priced at Rs 3.8-5.5 lakh.

Mercedes-Benz will unveil a rival to the Audi A3 in the CLA, a compact sedan, also on January 22. Bookings for the car, expected to cost Rs 25-30 lakh, have begun.

Mercedes-Benz has raced to the second position in India’s luxury car segment with successful launches like the A Class and B Class compact cars. The CLA is based on the same platform as the A and B Class cars.

More than a fourth of 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 cycle in compact cars after the company launched the GLA, a crossover, last year.

Nissan will introduce the Datsun Go+, a multi-utility vehicle, on January 15. The Go+ will be the second new product from the Datsun stable, following the launch of the Go, a hatchback, last year. The Go+ is important because sales of the Go have not lived up to expectations.

In addition to Maruti Suzuki’s Ertiga, the multi-seater Go+ will target customers of Honda’s Mobilio, Chevrolet’s Tavera, Toyota’s Innova, Mahindra’s Xylo, Tata’s Sumo and Force Motors’ Trax. The Go+ is likley to be be priced at Rs 5.5-7.5 lakh.

At least one motorcycle launch is expected by Bajaj Auto this month and a new performance-oriented Italian brand Benelli will make its way into India.

Launched through DSK, a Pune-based contract manufacturer for South Korea's bike maker Hyosung,

Benelli will be present in the 300cc and above category to compete against established players like Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha and Suzuki.

Tata Motors

Mercedes Benz India Limited