India has finally emerged as a leader in the small car segment.

It has succeeded Japan thanks to its robust sales

figures and declining sales in the developed markets. China has already superseded US market this year and
emerged as the largest car market in the world. India already succeeded Japan in 2007 as the world’s largest
producer of basic cars.
India has also emerged as the favorite destination for small car export hub. Nearly every auto maker including Maruti
Suzuki, Hyundai, Volkswagen, General Motors, Nissan, Ford, Renault are investing millions of dollars to set up their
small car manufacturing units in India. Hyundai Motors India limited has already emerged as the largest car exporter
from India with its manufacturing units near Chennai. "From a small car production hub perspective, India is right in
the center of the radar," said Michael Boneham, Head of Ford India. Ford unveiled its small car model Figo last
month and will introduce its small car in the Indian market by mid-2010.
Brazil, China and Russia are other emerging markets that project strong sales growth but the buying pattern in these
countries range from small cars to big luxury cars. However, Indian customers overwhelmingly opt for small cars
while making their purchase.

The Delhi Auto Expo, which began on January 5, saw the debuts of two cars from the stables of two of the
world's most revered auto brands — Toyota and Honda. They chose Delhi to unveil their new small car
concepts in India, signalling where the next big battle will be fought. Here, we bring you images from the
Expo.

Honda officials pose next to the Honda New Small Concept car at the 10th Auto Expo in New

World class debuts at the Delhi

Auto Expo: Images
o
o Play
 o
o Pause

o
 Slow
 Medium
 Fast

o
o 6 of 14

Volkswagen A.G. Member of the Board of Management Jochem Heizmann, right, poses at the launch of the
new Volkswagen Polo at the 10th Auto Expo in New Delhi on Tuesday. AP

World class debuts at the Delhi

Auto Expo: Images
o
o Play
 o
o Pause

o
 Slow
 Medium
 Fast

o
o 7 of 14

A presenter, on screen top, announces the features at the launch of the new Volkswagen Polo at the 10th
Auto Expo in New Delhi on Tuesday. AP
World class debuts at the Delhi
Auto Expo: Images
o
o Play

o
o Pause

o
 Slow
 Medium
 Fast

o
o 8 of 14

Maruti Suzuki Chief Executive Officer Shinzo Nakanishi, right, Marketing Sales Executive Officer Mayank
Pareek, left foreground, and Managing Executive Officer Engineering I.V. Rao pose at the unveiling of the
Maruti Suzuki rIII concept car at the 10th Auto Expo in New Delhi on Tuesday. AP

World class debuts at the Delhi

Auto Expo: Images
 o
o Play

o
o Pause

o
 Slow
 Medium
 Fast

o
o 10 of 14

Dancers perform at the unveiling of Toyota's concept car Etios, at the 10th Auto Expo in New Delhi on
Tuesday. AP

World class debuts at the Delhi

Auto Expo: Images
o
o Play

o
o Pause

o
  Slow
 Medium
 Fast

o
o 11 of 14

Media personnel crowd around the Honda New Small Concept car at the 10th Auto Expo in New Delhi on
Tuesday. AP

World class debuts at the Delhi

Auto Expo: Images
o
o Play

o
o Pause

o
 Slow
 Medium
 Fast

o
o 13 of 14
 o

A model poses near the Toyota concept car Etios at the 10th Auto Expo in New Delhi on Tuesday. AP

Toyota launches hybrid car Prius in

India
Toyota-Kirloskar Motor today launched its hybrid car Prius in India priced
between Rs 26.55 lakh and Rs 27.86 lakh (ex-showroom New Delhi).
"Through the launch of Prius, Toyota is keen to demonstrate its commitment to offer the
latest eco-friendly automotive technology to its customers in India," Toyota Kirloskar
Motor Deputy Managing Director Sandeep Singh told reporters at the 10th Auto Expo
here.

This is the third generation Prius with 1.8 litre petrol engine with a battery of 60
kilowatt.

This will have three driving mode --- Power mode, Eco mode and Electric vehicle mode
(battery).

Toyota launches hybrid car Prius in

India
(Continued)

• < Prev
• 1
• 2

The Prius became the world's first mass produced hybrid vehicle in 1997.

"The Prius today is the world's most successful hybrid with cumulative sales of nearly
1.5 million. We will continue to popularise environmentally friendly vehicles in India to
further our efforts to help save the environment," Singh said.

Toyota has also launched Altis CNG and also displayed Innova CNG and Camry hybrid at
the expo.
Singh said Prius would be imported as completely built- up unit from Japan and Toyota
Kirloskar Motors has ordered 200 units from its parent to be sold during March-
December this year.

Source: PTI