Car makers wait for New Year splash

Is it a sign of the times that many automobile majors have deferred their launch plans for new models to the next year? December was to see the launch of the Fiat Linea sedan, the Mahindra Xylo MPV and also the AMG range of performance cars from Mercedes-Benz.
As things stand, both Fiat and Mahindra & Mahindra have postponed the launch of their new vehicles to January and while many might think of this being down to the economic reality, the fact remains that both car makers being Mumbai-based, have consciously taken a decision to defer their new model introductions because of terror strikes.Perhaps the public sentiment was being factored into far more than the liquidity crisis.
However, if one were to talk about these OEMs having to defer plans indefinitely then this is not on because all investments for these two products have been made and in fact both manufacturers have begun rolling off production examples as they prepare a large enough stockpile to be in place at dealers all across the country at the exact date of launch.
The recent moves by the government to help kick start automotive sales via a raft of incentives should help all auto makers but the worrying fact is that it is not addressing the core issue of availability of finance to consumers. Once more money is released in the market for auto finance, this should add the real thrust for sales to once again aim in a northward trajectory.
So while Mercedes-Benz may be the only car maker, albeit at the very top-end of the pyramid, to launch its mega-power cars with jaw busting performance and wallet-shredding prices this December, January 2009 is eagerly awaited by industry as the month to indicate trends.
January 2009 would see action not only from Fiat and Mahindra & Mahindra but also from Toyota Kirloskar who will launch a face-lifted version of its best-selling Innova MPV, BMW India which will usher in the face-lifted 3-series saloons while Audi should be readying two more versions of its best selling A4 saloon with two new engine options.
And joining these top-end car makers would be Hyundai with its spanking new i20 hatchback, a car that has gained very favourable reviews from automotive hacks in Europe and India. The i20, first previewed exclusively on these very pages a few months ago, will be positioned above the Hyundai Getz and should be a stonking rival to the Suzuki Swift.
January 2009 would also be a very strong month for the two-wheeled brigade as well. Kicking off the proceedings would be Suzuki which will finally launch its new GS150R in the very important 150cc executive commuter motorcycle segment nationwide along with its GSX-1300R Hayabusa superbike and M1800R super-cruiser. And finally, motorcycle major Bajaj Auto, for long having been pretty silent on new model plans, will be going strong with a range of products for the year, expected to roll out at the rate of one new model per month..
The writer is editor-in-chief, Times Zigwheels. For more on new car and bike model launches, log on to www.zigwheels.com.