The entry-level hatchbacks in India must strike a steadiness between affordability, gas effectivity, and primary options that make clients be ok with proudly owning their first automobile. In this regard, two manufacturers stand out, particularly Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai Motor India.
Maruti Suzuki provides two autos on this phase, the Alto and the S-Presso, whereas Hyundai provides the Santro.
Now, Hyundai has introduced that it’s pulling the plug on the Santro, whereas Maruti Suzuki would possibly discontinue the bottom variants of the Alto and S-Presso. One compelling purpose why Maruti Suzuki needs to halt manufacturing of the bottom variants is owing to the federal government’s mandate that each one vehicles ought to have twin airbags.
The Japanese OEM as a substitute of providing an extra airbag for the 2 fashions, may cease manufacturing and provide the upper variants as the bottom mannequin since they arrive with twin airbags. Currently, Maruti Suzuki provides the Alto in STD and STD(O) trims, the latter outfitted with twin airbags whereas the previous will get one. The S-Presso will get non-obligatory airbags for the passenger throughout all variants, other than the top-spec VXi+ trims.
Coming to Hyundai, it was in 1998 when the corporate launched its first automobile in India, the Santro. The hatchback was an ideal various to the Maruti Suzuki 800 because it supplied higher headroom. The Santro was India’s first true ‘tall boy’ automobile. The firm continued to promote it in India until 2014, receiving varied upgrades through the years. Later, Hyundai re-launched the brand new Santro in 2018 hoping that the sentimental comeback would assist Hyundai promote massive numbers. It accounted for 76 p.c of Hyundai’s gross sales at one level. However, this was short-lived, and in FY22, because it managed to promote simply 2,000 models.
Owing to low demand, primarily because of its pricing (Rs 3.9 lakh to Rs 5.5 lakh), the Santro by no means offered properly. Also, Hyundai supplied a touchscreen infotainment system with the upper variants of the Santro and tried to place it increased than the Grand i10, which had a extra highly effective engine and a diesel possibility too. This too didn’t work properly.
Then got here the stricter BS6 norms that added to the price of the automobile, growing its already costly sticker worth. Later got here the pandemic, which introduced extra hurdles, resembling provide chain points and chip shortages. In 2022 got here the Russia-Ukraine struggle which noticed costs including up. Keeping all this in thoughts, Hyundai thought it was a sensible determination to drag the plugs.
However, as per studies, Hyundai will proceed to promote the CNG model of the Santro, however the query stays for a way lengthy.
Can the 6 airbags rule kill the entry-level hatchbacks?
Raising additional questions concerning the survival of entry-level hatchbacks and their pricing would be the new rule that mandates 6 airbags as commonplace. Although the rule is aimed towards the protection of passengers, it will hike the costs of entry-level vehicles and will place them a phase increased when it comes to prices.
This may additionally kill a number of extra hatchbacks on this phase as house is a constraint to accommodate 6 airbags, and paired with the rise in demand for SUVs, we is likely to be saying adios to extra fashions.
Source: www.financialexpress.com”