Demand shift pushes small cars to oblivion
Financial Express Kochi|December 27, 2024
ONCE AN UBIQUITOUS product on the roads, commanding a lion's share of the market, out of every 33 cars sold today just one is a mini car, highlighting a massive shift in the buyer pattern.
SWARAJ BAGGONKAR

ONCE AN UBIQUITOUS product on the roads, commanding a lion's share of the market, out of every 33 cars sold today just one is a mini car, highlighting a massive shift in the buyer pattern. Five-seater mini cars like Maruti Alto and Renault Kwid will close the year with just 3% share of the domestic passenger vehicle market, a far cry from the 14% share the segment enjoyed in FY19, according to data shared by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM).

The 55-60% jump in prices in the past 8-9 years is the primary reason behind the diminishing interest in such cars, said experts. A Maruti Suzuki Alto (800cc) was priced at ₹2.6 lakh in 2015 whereas the same brand (1000cc, as 800cc is discontinued) is available for a minimum of ₹4 lakh (ex-showroom).

This story is from the December 27, 2024 edition of Financial Express Kochi.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the December 27, 2024 edition of Financial Express Kochi.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM FINANCIAL EXPRESS KOCHIView All
Financial Express Kochi

MRF: Crude prices, Re slide driving surge in tyre prices

RISING CRUDE OIL prices and a depreciating rupee are driving up tyre costs, according to Arun Mammen, vice chairman and managing director of MRF.

time-read
1 min  |
January 20, 2025
Financial Express Kochi

PLFS reflects positive employment trends

As India strides towards the vision of Viksit Bharat, empowering youth with the right skills and work experience continues to be a priority

time-read
4 mins  |
January 20, 2025
Financial Express Kochi

Davos Turns Into Fortress

GIVEN THE HIGH-profile nature of the event, beginning Monday, the security is both discreet and visible and comprises snipers, drone jammers, regular frisking and checking and round-the-clock patrol.

time-read
1 min  |
January 20, 2025
Financial Express Kochi

Petroleum products exports rise 2% in April-December

INDIA'S EXPORTS OF petroleum products grew marginally by 1.5% to 47.5 million tonne during April-December, compared to 46.8 million tonne in the same period last fiscal, according to data from the Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell.

time-read
1 min  |
January 20, 2025
Financial Express Kochi

TN loses investment body chief ahead of meet

VISHNU VENUGOPALAN, MD & CEO of Guidance Tamil Nadu and a key bureaucrat instrumental in attracting major investments, including Cisco, Jabil, and Ford Motor's re-entry into the state, has exited the agency, multiple sources told FE.

time-read
1 min  |
January 20, 2025
Financial Express Kochi

Fighting halts in Gaza as ceasefire begins, Hamas frees 3 hostages

PALESTINIANS POURED INTO the streets to celebrate and return to the rubble of their bombed-out homes on Sunday, and Hamas released the first three hostages under a ceasefire deal that halted fighting in Gaza.

time-read
1 min  |
January 20, 2025
Financial Express Kochi

Trade Partner Or Adversary?

India must think beyond China-Plus-One strategy as the world trade order is rapidly changing

time-read
2 mins  |
January 20, 2025
Financial Express Kochi

Comfortable design for 24/7 wear

It tracks fitness, sleep, stress & other key health vitals

time-read
2 mins  |
January 20, 2025
Financial Express Kochi

Tech firms face setback as Wi-Fi spectrum allocation plan nixed

DoT DECISION MAY DELAY ADOPTION OF NEXT-GENERATION DEVICES

time-read
2 mins  |
January 20, 2025
Financial Express Kochi

Mkt volatility may force life insurers to rethink ULIP plans

A prolonged volatility in the stock markets could dampen the investor appetite for unit linked insurance plans (ULIPs), prompting life insurers to shift the focus towards guaranteed income and pure protection plans like term insurance, industry experts said.

time-read
2 mins  |
January 20, 2025