Affordable compact MUVs/ SUVs to fuel the growth of UV segment in India

Sept. 27, 2012 - PRLog -- A new and much talked about segment of vehicles in India is the fresh era of affordable and compact SUVs (Sports Utility Vehicles) and MUVs (Multi Utility Vehicles). Initiated by the Renault Duster, which saw its highly anticipated launch in July this year, the segment will witness no less than four more launches till the next year, some of which were a major crowd puller at the 2012 Auto Expo in New Delhi earlier this year.

The Utility segment in India, which also comprises of SUVs priced below Rs 12 lac mark, saw a huge growth of 50.85% between Q1 FY12, i.e. , April to June this year rising to a total of 1,17,711 units. In the same quarter, the segment also accounted for 17.81% of the market share and the same is speculated to hit the 20% mark by the end of this calendar year.

Umang Kumar, Founder and CEO- Gaadi.com adds, “Till recently, the Utility segment in India meant referring to a handful of typical MUV vehicles or the wannabe locally manufactured SUVs with sales figures that weren’t seen as a threat to the premium hatchbacks or the mid-size sedans. However, India is a volatile market and all it takes are a couple of good products to change the game completely. New age compact SUVs like the Duster and EcoSport will easily eat into the market share of current sedans as well as create new buyers for a segment that never existed. These ofcourse will be given company by more offerings next year, thus making this a very important segment in the Indian car industry”

To satisfy the needs of online visitors seeking more information on these cars including the yet to be named Maruti offering showcased at the 2012 Auto Expo, the Chevrolet Trax and the Toyota Rush, Gaadi.com has dedicated pages with detailed explanation and pictures. Visitors, with the help of the “Follow this car” button can also keep a track on the model’s launch with an automated mailer sent to them with the ex-showroom prices and specifications once the model gets launched. The Ford EcoSport has broken all previous records for the website, being one of the most read upcoming cars ever!

“The all-new Ford EcoSport will certainly broaden our showroom offering in India, keeping in step with the aspirations of our customers. With its tremendous value story, we’re confident this compact SUV will greatly bolster our presence in the competitive Indian market.” said Michael Boneham, President and Managing Director- Ford India.

“If a SUV or a MUV offers the same driving dynamics and comfort of a sedan with practicality of a large hatch, new car buyers in the market are sure to get wooed. The Duster has proved just that and even the new Mahindra Quanto, popularly knowing as the mini-Xylo is expected to see premium hatchback buyers stepping into Mahindra’s showrooms. The overall car industry will benefit with increased sale and manufacturers like Renault and Ford are most likely to increase their market share significantly. Renault jumped from 14th to 12th position in sales in just one month, increasing its market share from 0.92 to 2.35%, thanks to the Duster”, adds Bunny Punia, Associate Editor- Gaadi.com.

For more information, log onto www.gaadi.com


About Gaadi.com:

Gaadi.com, the most comprehensive automotive portal in India, is an easy-to-navigate data loaded platform for researching, selling and buying automobiles. Launched in May 2008, it was acquired by MIH (a subsidiary of South African media giant Naspers) in Feb 2011.

Packed with updated information and specs, latest news, expert reviews, proprietary content, on-road prices, exclusive videos, galleries, comprehensive used car listings, forums and a host of interactive tools, Gaadi.com empowers the user by providing everything required to make an informed decision. From finding the most suitable car to getting a quote to booking a test drive to loans and insurance to selling or buying a used vehicle and everything in between, this one stop destination has the answer to every automobile related requirement.
Recently, Gaadi.com has broadened its horizons and is a first mover into new automotive categories like Two Wheelers, Trucks, Buses and Commercial Vehicles. Gaadi.com will provide authentic content to users researching a vehicle purchase as well as a marketplace for used vehicle purchase.Gaadi.com is also catching young users, having launched the Bicycles section.

Think Cars. Think Gaadi.com