Hyundai Alcazar, MG Astor, Mahindra XUV700, and more SUVs are in the pipeline for launch in India this year
The resurgence of the health crisis is proving to be too much for the country as all social and economic activities have tumbled due to the increased spread and fatalities. With almost all states in India reeling under the issue and ironically people extending their hands to help each other, every industry has been heavily affected including the auto sector.
While the automotive industry has reacted by offering support, the plunge in its volume sales is simply worrying and another major recovery should be on the cards eventually. Along the course, the prices of the passenger cars will further increase and things will only get worse as directly and indirectly jobs will get affected and thus the livelihood of many.
Reflecting on the negative sentiments prevailing across India, the new car launches are expected to be delayed and it depends on how well the country recovers from this deadly wave. The seven-seater Hyundai Alcazar based on the Creta was initially scheduled to launch last month before getting pushed back to the later stages of May 2021.
Maruti Suzuki appears to be testing the second generation Celerio as evident from the recent set of spy pictures, and its debut could have been postponed as well. MG is preparing to introduce the Astor and is essentially the petrol version of the ZS SUV with a 10-inch touchscreen, fully digital driver’s display, etc.
It will more likely be launched with a 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine developing 106 horsepower and 141 Nm or a smaller 1.0-litre turbo petrol with 111 hp and 160 Nm. The Skoda Kushaq mid-size SUV competing against Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, MG Hector and Tata Harrier and its VW sibling, the Taigun, will also launch in the coming months.
Mahindra confirmed to launch the XUV700 in the second quarter of this financial year and market recovery is possible by this festive season. However, their launch dates may well depend on how soon the country recovers as a whole in priority, as retail sales and dealerships are a key part of promotional activities.