Its raining hatchbacks!

MaserQ · 9th July 2008, 22:52

It is no secret that India has now become the small car hub for manufacturers and customers alike. And its just getting started.

The next one year shall see a slew of new launches starting with the Indica V3, Suzuki Splash, A-Star, the Hyundai i20, Fiat Grande Punto, the new Chevrolet U-VA, Honda Jazz...and many more. Almost every manufacturer has a new hatch lined up for launch.

The hatch in India has evolved. From being a budget people mover to straddling the premium end with the likes of the Fabia, the hatch is still king. And if anything, rising fuel prices and lower duties will see this segment growing like never before.

bhp1 · 9th July 2008, 23:23

Such a good thing, hatches are best suited for Indian roads.
What a line up coming! Please give estimated time of release of these small cars.

abhinav.gupta88 · 10th July 2008, 00:17

Very True. Raining hatchbacks like in the coming months, it will be raining sedans
Toyota Corolla
Mitsubishi Galant ( if launched this year)
VW Jetta
NNHC Honda City
Fiat Linea
Skoda Superb
and maybe more.

speedzak · 10th July 2008, 00:38

Hatchbacks are considered to be an entry point to the 4wheeled world by many. Not just in India, but thru out the world, many start their driving in a hatchback.
Next comes the enthusiastic kind who will look into a hot hatch for some blitz in his life. Again, this segment is a very demanded segment worldwide. Cars like Civic Type R, Golf vR6, Clio, 206 etc.. have proved it again and again.
Then comes the sober, plain jane, city run around car. In many families around the world, a hatch is the beloved one for this use.
Many companies favour hatchbacks to be given to their executives/managers etc..
By the time one has been thru all the above, he will now be in his retirement age. Now, he will look out for a small, easily manageable car. Again, a hatch will find place in many similar garages.

So, a hatchback always has some role to play in a man's life. This makes it most beloved type of cars and ofcourse, manufacturers make lots of hay while the sun is still shining.

Anyway, it's very nice to see some good hatchbacks lined up for launch in our country. Jazz will be something to watch out for and hope Honda gets it's pricing right. The bread'n butter cars from Maruti-Suzuki will be nicely welcomed if they stick to their current marketing styles. There'll be hardly any flop hatchback here unless the company decides to do so.

What happened to the Toyota small car? Is it still stuck in development stages?

karanraheja · 10th July 2008, 09:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by speedzak

Jazz will be something to watch out for and hope Honda gets it's pricing right.

What happened to the Toyota small car? Is it still stuck in development stages?

Jazz would be one heck of a buy if priced right. Its actually huge inside ! Toyota has actually IMO taken Indian market quite lightly. I guess Toyota s car will come only in 2010. I wonder why they didnt consider they Yaris hatchback for India!

dude131 · 10th July 2008, 09:50

The hatchbacks i am looking forwards to
1) Toyota Yaris
2) Ford Focus / Fiesta
3) Fiat Grande Punto
4) Honda Jazz & VW Golf
5) Chevy Spark / Beat
6) Hyundai i20
7) Suzuki Spark & A-star

GTO - Touring · 10th July 2008, 11:31

It is raining hatchbacks indeed. That said, its the B segment (Swift, Getz etc.) that is seeing the most action and not the A (800 etc.). Its a herculean task to match the pricing of the 800 / Alto and yet make a profit. Thus, the big boys are tapping into the potential of the 4 - 6 lakh rupee hatchback segment. With the way that hatchbacks are growing in size, safety and features, they have no choice but to go the premium way.

What we really need now is for hatches to offer diesel engines & safety equipment across the board.

anurag_p80 · 10th July 2008, 11:36

I agree...if only the service standards keep up with all the new machinery. Am really looking forward to the Jazz, and the GP. Shouldn't Bravo and 500 also be in the list?

hrag · 10th July 2008, 11:38

And automatics, GTO. A diesel automatic hatch loaded with safety features would work wonders.

karanraheja · 10th July 2008, 11:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by anurag_p80

Shouldn't Bravo and 500 also be in the list?

They are way too expensive. They should be in the extreme of premium hatchbacks. Also both the cars are Imported . 500 will be priced around 15 lacs ex showroom.

arajand · 10th July 2008, 12:06

What about the Nissan Micra? Expected to be here by 2010.

octane_100 · 10th July 2008, 12:15

A couple of days back i had been to the Tata Showroom at my place. I was accompanying a frind who wanted to test drive the indica dicor. The sales person said they are gettign the indica v3 by september end. But the way he described the new car was amusing. He said it has got new lights and a 'multi engine' with 85 bhp

.

GTO · 10th July 2008, 13:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by hrag

And automatics, GTO. A diesel automatic hatch loaded with safety features would work wonders.

Absolutely! I am of the firm belief that there is a substantial market out there for a diesel automatic hatch. Of course, the price has to be within reasonable limits. Dont you remember my thread on the Automatic Indica?

Car-Agey · 10th July 2008, 14:08

Yes, it is raining hatches. May I add the NANO to the list

.

vinaykiran79 · 10th July 2008, 14:38

Yes i agree that its rainning hatchback and its good news, at least for me as i like small cars.
The increse in the fuel price and traffic congestion is pushing the buyers to by a small cars/hatchbacks. Hatchbacks are now no longer percieved as cheap cars as Swift, Avo and Getz have set quality standards.
The sedan which is percieved as prestige cars are losing its image as bigger players like merc, bmw and audi have chipped in. Every one knows they are expensive and has a prestige appeal.
Hope to see Nano soon and rewrite the history of small cars.cheers:

9th July 2008, 22:52	#1
MaserQ Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,196 Thanked: 166 Times	Its raining hatchbacks! It is no secret that India has now become the small car hub for manufacturers and customers alike. And its just getting started. The next one year shall see a slew of new launches starting with the Indica V3, Suzuki Splash, A-Star, the Hyundai i20, Fiat Grande Punto, the new Chevrolet U-VA, Honda Jazz...and many more. Almost every manufacturer has a new hatch lined up for launch. The hatch in India has evolved. From being a budget people mover to straddling the premium end with the likes of the Fabia, the hatch is still king. And if anything, rising fuel prices and lower duties will see this segment growing like never before.
	() Thanks

9th July 2008, 23:23	#2
bhp1 BANNED Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: NA Posts: 513 Thanked: 4 Times	Such a good thing, hatches are best suited for Indian roads. What a line up coming! Please give estimated time of release of these small cars.
	() Thanks

10th July 2008, 00:17	#3
abhinav.gupta88 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Delhi , India Posts: 4,092 Thanked: 325 Times View My Garage	Very True. Raining hatchbacks like in the coming months, it will be raining sedans Toyota Corolla Mitsubishi Galant ( if launched this year) VW Jetta NNHC Honda City Fiat Linea Skoda Superb and maybe more.
	() Thanks

10th July 2008, 00:38	#4
speedzak BANNED Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: India Posts: 4,347 Thanked: 27 Times	Hatchbacks are considered to be an entry point to the 4wheeled world by many. Not just in India, but thru out the world, many start their driving in a hatchback. Next comes the enthusiastic kind who will look into a hot hatch for some blitz in his life. Again, this segment is a very demanded segment worldwide. Cars like Civic Type R, Golf vR6, Clio, 206 etc.. have proved it again and again. Then comes the sober, plain jane, city run around car. In many families around the world, a hatch is the beloved one for this use. Many companies favour hatchbacks to be given to their executives/managers etc.. By the time one has been thru all the above, he will now be in his retirement age. Now, he will look out for a small, easily manageable car. Again, a hatch will find place in many similar garages. So, a hatchback always has some role to play in a man's life. This makes it most beloved type of cars and ofcourse, manufacturers make lots of hay while the sun is still shining. Anyway, it's very nice to see some good hatchbacks lined up for launch in our country. Jazz will be something to watch out for and hope Honda gets it's pricing right. The bread'n butter cars from Maruti-Suzuki will be nicely welcomed if they stick to their current marketing styles. There'll be hardly any flop hatchback here unless the company decides to do so. What happened to the Toyota small car? Is it still stuck in development stages?
	() Thanks

10th July 2008, 09:50	#6
dude131 BHPian Join Date: May 2008 Location: Goa / Melbourne Posts: 125 Thanked: Once	The hatchbacks i am looking forwards to 1) Toyota Yaris 2) Ford Focus / Fiesta 3) Fiat Grande Punto 4) Honda Jazz & VW Golf 5) Chevy Spark / Beat 6) Hyundai i20 7) Suzuki Spark & A-star
	() Thanks

10th July 2008, 11:31	#7
GTO - Touring BHPian Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 710 Thanked: 54 Times	It is raining hatchbacks indeed. That said, its the B segment (Swift, Getz etc.) that is seeing the most action and not the A (800 etc.). Its a herculean task to match the pricing of the 800 / Alto and yet make a profit. Thus, the big boys are tapping into the potential of the 4 - 6 lakh rupee hatchback segment. With the way that hatchbacks are growing in size, safety and features, they have no choice but to go the premium way. What we really need now is for hatches to offer diesel engines & safety equipment across the board.
	() Thanks

10th July 2008, 11:36	#8
anurag_p80 BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 314 Thanked: 7 Times	I agree...if only the service standards keep up with all the new machinery. Am really looking forward to the Jazz, and the GP. Shouldn't Bravo and 500 also be in the list?
	() Thanks

10th July 2008, 11:38	#9
hrag BANNED Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Bangalore / Madras Posts: 1,982 Thanked: 31 Times	And automatics, GTO. A diesel automatic hatch loaded with safety features would work wonders.
	() Thanks

10th July 2008, 12:06	#11
arajand BHPian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Delhi Posts: 59 Thanked: Once	What about the Nissan Micra? Expected to be here by 2010.
	() Thanks

10th July 2008, 12:15	#12
octane_100 BHPian Join Date: May 2008 Location: KA-09 Posts: 759 Thanked: 1,378 Times	Nex Indica before October!!?? A couple of days back i had been to the Tata Showroom at my place. I was accompanying a frind who wanted to test drive the indica dicor. The sales person said they are gettign the indica v3 by september end. But the way he described the new car was amusing. He said it has got new lights and a 'multi engine' with 85 bhp.
	() Thanks

10th July 2008, 14:08	#14
Car-Agey BHPian Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Delhi Posts: 344 Thanked: 54 Times	Yes, it is raining hatches. May I add the NANO to the list.
	() Thanks

10th July 2008, 14:38	#15
vinaykiran79 BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 71 Thanked: 0 Times	Yes its raining hatchbacks Yes i agree that its rainning hatchback and its good news, at least for me as i like small cars. The increse in the fuel price and traffic congestion is pushing the buyers to by a small cars/hatchbacks. Hatchbacks are now no longer percieved as cheap cars as Swift, Avo and Getz have set quality standards. The sedan which is percieved as prestige cars are losing its image as bigger players like merc, bmw and audi have chipped in. Every one knows they are expensive and has a prestige appeal. Hope to see Nano soon and rewrite the history of small cars.cheers:
	() Thanks