Carmakers search for the next blockbuster as sales fall

Despite launching new cars and tweaking the existing ones, few carmakers witnessed lower sales in 2012. These include Chevrolet, Honda and Ford.

The stagnancy in sales, however, has not affected their zeal to bring new cars. In fact they are all set to introduce some of the most awaited cars in the country.

Stakes are high and the fate of these firms largely depends on their respective upcoming cars.

Let's look at the model these companies are betting on and why buyers are eagerly waiting for them.

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Starting with General Motors' Indian arm Chevrolet, the company not only rolled out upgraded models of its popular cars in 2012 but it also launched a new product in the market christened Chevrolet Sail U-VA.

Despite Chevrolet's efforts to make it big in the domestic market the company could not attain the expected success. In fact the company's monthly sales is registering a downward trend.

Chevrolet, whose presence is conspicuous in the entry-level sedan segment, will be launching sedan version of Sail.

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The sedan is anticipated to be priced at Rs 600,000. Cars like Maruti Swift Dzire, Toyota Etios are already available in the market, which will make it tough for Sail sedan to sustain the competition.

Other than the low expected price, Chevrolet Sail sedan has some other factors, which could bring it in a win-win situation.

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Presence of a diesel model is one plus point as diesel cars are more in demand. Petrol variant will be offered in two engine options - a 1.2 litre and a 1.4 litre. The diesel model will have a 1.3 litre engine under the hood.

A high-expected fuel economy of 16-17 kmpl for the petrol version and 19-20 kmpl for diesel version add to the positive points of the sedan.

Fuel efficiency coupled with a low price tag is an impeccable combination and the fate of this car could be good in the domestic market.

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Ford, until now, was riding high on the success of Ford Figo. It seems that the hatchback alone will not be able to match up the monthly sales figure of other successful carmakers in the country, who are posting better growth.

Last year at the 2012 Auto Expo, Ford confirmed EcoSport's launch. The car was displayed at the grandiose event and was appreciated for its looks too.

It did manage to create curiosity among the car lovers. Ford, however, could not launch it last year and it was deferred to 2013.

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EcoSport is a highly anticipated SUV. The 1.0 litre, three cylinder EcoBoost promises to yield a high performance and a high fuel economy.

A diesel version is also in the pipeline with an option of 1.5 litre TDCi turbo engine. These will be harmonised to a five-speed manual and a six-speed auto box.

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EcoSport could land in the market carrying a price tag of Rs 900,000 (expected price). The toughest competitor of this machine is Duster which now costs almost the same after the second price hike that has been announced recently.

EcoSport and Duster both are available in Brazil and according to a recent report, the former outnumbered the latter in December 2012 monthly sales. This is a positive sign for Ford. For India, one can only reach a conclusion after the launch.

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It has been the toughest time for Honda to survive in a diesel loving auto market, as the carmaker does not have even a single diesel vehicle in its India portfolio.

There have been speculations regarding the launch of a diesel powered Honda car for a long time but nothing materialised.

The company has now asserted its plan to launch Honda Amaze, its first diesel car that is in the making.

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Honda cars are known for their looks, features, and high quality which make them a class apart. The inclusion of a diesel engine and that, too, in an entry level sedan will be a great deal for Honda car lovers.

Come April 2013, Honda Brio sedan version equipped with a 1.5litre I-DTEC engine will make its debut in the Indian car market.

This sub four-meter sedan will yield a high performance and is expected to return a fuel efficiency of whopping 24 kmpl.

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Honda Amaze will compete with the likes of Maruti Swift Dzire. The price, hence, needs to be tagged carefully.

Sources close to development suggest that Amaze could be available at Rs 600,000, which is very competent for a Honda car.

Honda Amaze's hatchback version Brio has been a great success and the car company anticipates replicating it yet again.

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