Emerging trends in the global automotive market

Gooney · 21st July 2010, 18:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by StarVegabond

I suggest that for the benefit of all, we should do a guided discussion.

Nice thought StarVagabond;

but how do we achieve that? Is there are way to create subthreads? And it will be difficult to enforce discussions on sections by ourselves, because people will digress and the sub-topics will becomes mixed up. Maybe the mods can help.

StarVegabond · 21st July 2010, 21:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gooney

Nice thought StarVagabond;

but how do we achieve that? Is there are way to create subthreads? And it will be difficult to enforce discussions on sections by ourselves, because people will digress and the sub-topics will becomes mixed up. Maybe the mods can help.

Such guided discussions are being done in the forum e.g. Photography thread
the title of the thread keeps getting changed to reflect the subject being discussed. Off topic posts should be deleted. MODs can facilitate the guided discussion.

Opening different threads is another way, but one needs to open 20+ threads.

SmartCat · 23rd July 2010, 11:40

Tata Motors (revenues of $16 billion in 2009) could get bigger and bigger and be counted among the Top 5 (by market capitalization) automobile companies if everything goes right. Globally relevant innovative products like Tata Nano, JLR brands, strong association with Fiat and strides in alternative car propulsion systems could take them places.

Daewood · 23rd July 2010, 13:37

Gov of India will make it mandatory for all vehicles to have an RPM meter, as an eco-friendly measure.

That would help a lot in reducing fuel consumptions, instead of just painting 40-55kmph in green colour as being done now.

MihirC · 23rd July 2010, 13:42

I feel these are the emerging trends,

1) Companies offering C+/D segment luxury and safety features in smaller cars and hatch backs, case in point, Micra and Manza,

2) Smaller capacity , turbocharged engines, this trend started with the 1.2 ltr Jazz with 90bhp and Skoda coming up with the 1.2ltr TSI in Yeti. Though personally I would prefer higher CC engines as no matter how high is the power , CC does count at high speeds.

3) Free roadside assistance for all car brands,

4) Accessories shops for various brands(I ve heard Fiat is planning to open up one, when that happens no one knows) Which would basically mean you get all the accessories ranging from decals, alloys add on bluetooth systems etc which would help a customer customise his car to a very large extent.

5) Affordable electric hatches.

fuel_addict · 23rd July 2010, 13:54

1) I suspect ABS (and airbags) will become standard in all cars. This should be made mandatory by the Govt. Its time safety is taken seriously.

2) Cars would become lighter and engine capacities would be cut down in the quest for improving FE. Almost all car manufacturers have the 1.2L option in their arsenal now.

3) Would love to see hybrids becoming affordable. This seems like a distant dream though.

aniketi · 23rd July 2010, 17:36

Few days back i heard that Tata is developing car which will run on Air in collaboration with some other maker from Europe if i am not mistaken. It will make use of compressed air. I guess that will be the biggest thing if they get a success. Even if it has less power & speed. I guess others should also try this thing to save us from pollution & inflation due to rising fuel prices

DocG · 24th July 2010, 01:42

No one mentioned the emergence of biofuel in India.
Brazil has been know to run all it's commercial and industrial/farming vehicles on alcohol.

India has the potential to become one of the largest ethanol producers in the world. It would be great to see gasohol and biodiesel becoming staples at all major fuel pumps and at cheaper prices than regular fuel.

There is work going on regarding this here in India, waiting for the day that the Govt. backs it and the idea sees light of day.

Gooney · 24th July 2010, 02:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by DocG

No one mentioned the emergence of biofuel in India.

It was mentioned was mentioned by Wild Phoenix (permalink 12). I personally do not feel that biofuel/flex-fuel is an alternative; but am really interested in knowing others views on this.

ganeshtvpm · 25th July 2010, 10:26

Cheap hybrid cars and KERS but not in its present avatar(Power boost for shorter periods but continously available).

tj123 · 25th July 2010, 18:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by DocG

No one mentioned the emergence of biofuel in India.
Brazil has been know to run all it's commercial and industrial/farming vehicles on alcohol.

India has the potential to become one of the largest ethanol producers in the world. It would be great to see gasohol and biodiesel becoming staples at all major fuel pumps and at cheaper prices than regular fuel.

There is work going on regarding this here in India, waiting for the day that the Govt. backs it and the idea sees light of day.

India has lot of mouth to feed we cannot divert corn, sugarcane, beet & biomass to produce fuel.No doubt bio fuel has a great potential however at present it is not a very prudent idea, even in the US local politicians fear long term prices rise owing to corn being diverted to make ethanol. food scarcity is a real threat these days.
India can produce bio fuels if we have better technology to convert biomass to fuel instead of converting food to fuel.

joybhowmik · 25th July 2010, 19:57

Going back to the title of the thread (and the first post) - another emerging trend:

The automobile will soon offer you services using the internet even while you are on the road. The possibilities are tremendous - how's this scenario for a start->
The car automatically reserves seats for your family at a restaurant couple of hours before you reach it, based on your pre-programmed dining preferences, AND alerts you of the restaurant's proximity lest you pass it by.

scarecrow · 26th July 2010, 12:57

Few emerging areas as per me
1) Touchless features - driveless technologies, automated driving, etc
2) More rigid safety features governed by individual Country laws
3) Usage of in car features (as already mentioned by a few people) e.g. camera's, GPS, internet, etc

sameern.85 · 26th July 2010, 16:38

Hi..
This is a great thread.
Also, I have been obeserving a shift by OEM's in offering more of CNG/ LPG fitted cars.
The prices of petrol and diesel have gone through the roof and more people are considering to fit aftermarket kits, manufacturers are smart enough to understand this and can afford to charge a premium over the fuels.
Some cars available with CNG/ LPG option -
1. Toyota Corolla
2. Chevy Optra (Not sure if its still available)
3. Chevy Aveo (Recently launched)
4. Chevy Spark
5. Hyundai Santro
6. MS - Wagon R

I expect more automakers to join the bandwagon and introduce more cars in this category. If i have missed out something, please contribute, but I think that this is the way, market in going to move.
Cheers.!

ac 427 · 27th July 2010, 14:36

again the industry is being more reactive than proactive.

while hydrogen cell should be the way ahead, theses guys are going the hybrid way. And i don't blame them, it is the petrol lobby which is at work.

They are completely against any development of new technology which is not petrol / diesel based.

having said so, the current trends:

Rise of the SUVs in the cheaper affordable space. (RIO types)

Sports versions being launched separately (Punto 92 hp)

Airbags being mandatory.

Models being updated / refreshed more often then earlier.

Stratified combustion. This will be new big differentiator. Will wait for a 1.2 FSI.

all 1.5 / 1.6 to be convereted to 1.2 for benefits.

cheers,
ac

23rd July 2010, 11:40	#18
SmartCat Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 7,224 Thanked: 52,209 Times View My Garage	Tata Motors (revenues of $16 billion in 2009) could get bigger and bigger and be counted among the Top 5 (by market capitalization) automobile companies if everything goes right. Globally relevant innovative products like Tata Nano, JLR brands, strong association with Fiat and strides in alternative car propulsion systems could take them places.
	() Thanks

23rd July 2010, 13:37	#19
Daewood BHPian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Chennai Posts: 942 Thanked: 235 Times	Gov of India will make it mandatory for all vehicles to have an RPM meter, as an eco-friendly measure. That would help a lot in reducing fuel consumptions, instead of just painting 40-55kmph in green colour as being done now.
	() Thanks

23rd July 2010, 13:42	#20
MihirC BHPian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Mumbai Posts: 534 Thanked: 71 Times	I feel these are the emerging trends, 1) Companies offering C+/D segment luxury and safety features in smaller cars and hatch backs, case in point, Micra and Manza, 2) Smaller capacity , turbocharged engines, this trend started with the 1.2 ltr Jazz with 90bhp and Skoda coming up with the 1.2ltr TSI in Yeti. Though personally I would prefer higher CC engines as no matter how high is the power , CC does count at high speeds. 3) Free roadside assistance for all car brands, 4) Accessories shops for various brands(I ve heard Fiat is planning to open up one, when that happens no one knows) Which would basically mean you get all the accessories ranging from decals, alloys add on bluetooth systems etc which would help a customer customise his car to a very large extent. 5) Affordable electric hatches.
	() Thanks

23rd July 2010, 13:54	#21
fuel_addict BHPian Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Mumbai Posts: 692 Thanked: 121 Times	Emerging auto industry ends 1) I suspect ABS (and airbags) will become standard in all cars. This should be made mandatory by the Govt. Its time safety is taken seriously. 2) Cars would become lighter and engine capacities would be cut down in the quest for improving FE. Almost all car manufacturers have the 1.2L option in their arsenal now. 3) Would love to see hybrids becoming affordable. This seems like a distant dream though.
	() Thanks

23rd July 2010, 17:36	#22
aniketi Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Pune Posts: 2,059 Thanked: 3,060 Times	Few days back i heard that Tata is developing car which will run on Air in collaboration with some other maker from Europe if i am not mistaken. It will make use of compressed air. I guess that will be the biggest thing if they get a success. Even if it has less power & speed. I guess others should also try this thing to save us from pollution & inflation due to rising fuel prices
	() Thanks

24th July 2010, 01:42	#23
DocG BHPian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Mumbai - Singapore - Cali - Sydney - S.Korea Posts: 870 Thanked: 12 Times View My Garage	No one mentioned the emergence of biofuel in India. Brazil has been know to run all it's commercial and industrial/farming vehicles on alcohol. India has the potential to become one of the largest ethanol producers in the world. It would be great to see gasohol and biodiesel becoming staples at all major fuel pumps and at cheaper prices than regular fuel. There is work going on regarding this here in India, waiting for the day that the Govt. backs it and the idea sees light of day.
	() Thanks

25th July 2010, 10:26	#25
ganeshtvpm BHPian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: trivandrum Posts: 69 Thanked: 15 Times	Cheap hybrid cars and KERS but not in its present avatar(Power boost for shorter periods but continously available).
	() Thanks

25th July 2010, 19:57	#27
joybhowmik Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: New Delhi Posts: 1,467 Thanked: 2,588 Times	Going back to the title of the thread (and the first post) - another emerging trend: The automobile will soon offer you services using the internet even while you are on the road. The possibilities are tremendous - how's this scenario for a start-> The car automatically reserves seats for your family at a restaurant couple of hours before you reach it, based on your pre-programmed dining preferences, AND alerts you of the restaurant's proximity lest you pass it by.
	() Thanks

26th July 2010, 12:57	#28
scarecrow BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Dubai Posts: 114 Thanked: 160 Times	Few emerging areas as per me 1) Touchless features - driveless technologies, automated driving, etc 2) More rigid safety features governed by individual Country laws 3) Usage of in car features (as already mentioned by a few people) e.g. camera's, GPS, internet, etc
	() Thanks

26th July 2010, 16:38	#29
sameern.85 BHPian Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Mumbai Posts: 84 Thanked: 3 Times	Hi.. This is a great thread. Also, I have been obeserving a shift by OEM's in offering more of CNG/ LPG fitted cars. The prices of petrol and diesel have gone through the roof and more people are considering to fit aftermarket kits, manufacturers are smart enough to understand this and can afford to charge a premium over the fuels. Some cars available with CNG/ LPG option - 1. Toyota Corolla 2. Chevy Optra (Not sure if its still available) 3. Chevy Aveo (Recently launched) 4. Chevy Spark 5. Hyundai Santro 6. MS - Wagon R I expect more automakers to join the bandwagon and introduce more cars in this category. If i have missed out something, please contribute, but I think that this is the way, market in going to move. Cheers.!
	() Thanks

27th July 2010, 14:36	#30
ac 427 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Mumbai Posts: 1,425 Thanked: 464 Times View My Garage	again the industry is being more reactive than proactive. while hydrogen cell should be the way ahead, theses guys are going the hybrid way. And i don't blame them, it is the petrol lobby which is at work. They are completely against any development of new technology which is not petrol / diesel based. having said so, the current trends: Rise of the SUVs in the cheaper affordable space. (RIO types) Sports versions being launched separately (Punto 92 hp) Airbags being mandatory. Models being updated / refreshed more often then earlier. Stratified combustion. This will be new big differentiator. Will wait for a 1.2 FSI. all 1.5 / 1.6 to be convereted to 1.2 for benefits. cheers, ac
	() Thanks