Upcoming cars

I. Upcoming cars in India

The list of upcoming cars in India 2021 spreads across the segment. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, carmakers have shelved their plans on the upcoming car launches to the latter half of this year. Hyundai Alcazar, Mercedes-Benz GLA, VW Tiguan are to name some prominent new upcoming cars in 2021.

 II. What time of the year is the best to buy a car in India?

Buying a car should be the most important personal purchase after buying a house as it is not only a means of transportation from point A to point B, but also represents its owner’s social status. When it comes to purchasing a car, time is one of the most crucial factors. Perfect timing helps you save a significant amount of money, which adds to the great joy of owning a dream car. So, what is the best time to buy a car in India? In general, big offers on cars come at the end and the beginning of the year, festive seasons, and before and after a new launch of a model.

1. The end and the beginning of the year

Arguably, the year-end is the absolute best time for car purchases in India. First of all, the end of the year is the time of the stock clearance; therefore, auto manufacturers and dealers often roll out many appealing car deals. At this point of the year, you can benefit from various offers and discounts, including manufacturer-approved ones. Apart from stock clearance sales, many dealers also offer incentives to push sales even further to meet their quotas both quarterly and yearly goals. As a result, the year-end, especially the final days of December and the first few days of January next year, usually witness the highest amount of incentive spending. 

The beginning of a new year is also the right time to get the best deals ever. While year-end discounts on cars extend to January next year, prices of the models manufactured in the past year will tend to drop drastically to make space for the freshly-made models. According to TrueCar, you can get a discount of up to 8.3% off the car price on New Year’s Eve instead of any other day.

2. Festive season

Many domestic consumers wait for the festive season because it is the perfect time to get their most desirable car. During the season, which starts from mid-September to the final days of October, car sales recorded usually come in leaps and bounds. Many automakers and dealers bring in special offers and discounts to entice more customers. Therefore, you are most certainly to win a good deal if buying a car during this period. 

3. Before and after a new launch

A good rule of thumb is that newly-launched models translate to further discounts on the current ones. In the automotive industry, manufacturers continuously introduce facelifted or new-gen models to make the vehicle look fresh and innovative. In response, dealers are more likely to come with huge offers on the existing stock to boost sales and make room for the newly-launched model. This is when you can jump in and get an currently available model at an attractive price.

In the meantime, you can also buy a new model after its launch. Usually, manufacturers launch their models at introductory prices to attract sales. Interestingly, these prices are often lower than that later on. After recording a first few thousand units sold, the model will come at higher prices. With a bit of speed and luck, you can take advantage and buy a newly-launched model at a lucrative price. However, it is worth noting that not all models come with such pricing strategy

III. How do I choose a car in India?

With a plethora of car manufacturers offering a diverse array of models, one of the difficult tasks that buyers have to face is choosing a car. To answer the question of “How do I choose a car in India?” it depends on many factors. However, the top two concerns should be your budget for the vehicle and car body type that suits your needs best.

1. Body types

Regarding types of cars, the Indian automotive industry is currently dominated by hatchbacks, sedans, SUVs, and MPVs.

Hatchbacks

For starters, hatchbacks refer to those cars which have a smaller bodyline than others. The most distinctive feature of a hatchback is that its seats can be folded to create a larger room for storage. With these characteristics, the hatchback is considered the best car for families of 3-4 members. Besides, a huge plus of the vehicle is that it can easily maneuver through the traffic in city driving. Some popular hatchbacks available in the market are the Maruti Suzuki Alto, Hyundai Grand i10, Maruti Baleno,Hyundai i20, Maruti Suzuki Swift, Tata Tiago, and Volkswagen Polo, among others.

Sedans

Then, there exist the sedans. An average sedan car comes with a 3-box configuration vehicle design (engine, passenger, and cargo). In comparison to the hatchback, while the sedan is dimensionally longer, it also gets a separate boot compartment for luggage storage that makes it a better fit for those who value comfortable space and have a family of 3-4 members. Currently, the largest-selling sedans in India are the Maruti Dzire, Honda City,Hyundai Verna, Hyundai Aura, Tata Tigor, Volkswagen Vento, etc.

SUVs

Sports Utility Vehicles, or SUVs, are available with a combination of passenger cars and off-roaders. Generally speaking, an SUV brings in bigger sizes and a larger cabin, offering the driver a better driving quality and practicality. These characteristics are also what differentiates SUV from other types of cars. Performance-wise, SUVs boast of its sturdy powertrain and its capacity to handle various terrains, ranging from off-road driving to urban driving. With these features, an SUV is more of a perfect choice for families of 5-7 members. Some of the best SUVs in India are the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Tata Harrier, Maruti Vitara Brezza, Hyundai Venue and many more.

MPVs/MUVs

MUV (Multi Utility Vehicle), or MPV (Multi-Purpose Vehicle), is also a common type of car in India. While the MPV is often mistaken for an SUV, the main difference between these two body types is that the MPV offers more seats to transport passengers in cities and highways. Moreover, MPVs have more claimed fuel economy than SUVs. As a passenger car, an MPV provides enough comfortable room for large families of over five members. Some of the most popular MUV cars available in India include the Toyota Innova Crysta, Maruti Ertiga, Renault Triber, Maruti XL6, and Mahindra Marazzo.

2. Budget

After deciding which types of cars you prefer the most, it’s time for you to consider the budget. As India is a mature automotive market, there are plenty of options for each type of car, including both existing and upcoming models. Thus, it is really up to how much you have in your pocket. If you are on a tight budget, a hatchback might be the best choice as hatchback models usually come at reasonable prices, offer decent fuel efficiency and require low maintenance and servicing costs. Otherwise, you can set your eyes on second hand vehicles to save money.

If you favor a vehicle with a long list of features and are willing to spend a bit more, a sedan will naturally suit your needs. Those with a generous budget will, of course, have more diverse options. However, an SUV or MPV is generally highly recommended. These cars are often considered the best as they provide multiple premium features, the most satisfying experience, and the most powerful engine options. 

IV. FAQs on Upcoming cars

1. What are the upcoming car launches in India in 2021?

There are many upcoming cars set to be launched in 2021.  Check the above tables for the information.

2. What are the upcoming cars under 10 lakh in India?

The list of upcoming cars under ten lakhs includes the Maruti Swift 2021, Maruti Alto 2021, Renault Zoe,  among others. The prices will vary between the lowest Rs 5 lakh and the highest Rs 9 lakh.

3. Is it the right time to buy a car in India?                                                                                                       

Considering the alarming Covid-19 pandemic in India these days, customers can postpone their purchase until the new car launches for 2021 commence. Given the fact that the virus spread is skyrocketing, using private cars are a good decision this time. If you have the car’s value for money in mind, it’s a good idea to buy the car around the festive season when you can avail a lot of attractive car offers and discounts.