While India has become one of the largest car markets in the world, it remains a challenging market for manufacturers. Several multinational automobile manufacturers have closed their operations in the country while attempting to understand customer preferences. On the other hand, our neighbor Bangladesh appears to be thriving in terms of options in the automobile market. Many cars that are hard to find in the Indian market are readily available in Bangladesh. Here are a few options that the Bangladeshi market offers but India does not.
Toyota
While Toyota recently started offering a range of new cars in the Indian market, for a long time, the Toyota Innova and Fortuner remained the only cars that got in the volumes for the manufacturer in India. In Bangladesh, Toyota sells a large range of vehicles including a lower-end variant of the Hilux pick-up. There are also other cars like the Veloz, Corolla Altis Hybrid, Rush and Raize available in Bangladesh.
Toyota Avanza
Price: BDT 32,50,00/ INR 24,58,000
The Toyota Innova Crysta holds significant popularity within the Indian market. Interestingly, Toyota has refrained from introducing the Avanza, its smaller counterpart, in India. Competing against models like the Suzuki Ertiga, the Avanza shares a resemblance to the Toyota Innova Crysta. In an upcoming move, Toyota in India is set to unveil a rebranded edition of the Ertiga.
Also read: 10 DC Design cars & how they look in the REAL world: Maruti Swift to Mahindra XUV500
Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
Price: BDT 8,600,000/ INR 6,504,455
The Toyota RAV4 stands as a widely acclaimed SUV across numerous global markets, rivaling models such as the Honda CR-V. In India, there is no bridge between the Toyota Urban Cruiser and Toyota Fortuner.
Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid
Price: BDT 48,00,000/INR: 36,30,393
While Toyota has stopped selling the Corolla sedan in the Indian market, the crossover version of the car is available in Bangladesh as well.
Honda
Honda recently launched the Elevate in the Indian market. India is the first market to get the car but in Bangladesh, the Japanese manufacturer also sells cars like Honda CR-V Turbo, Honda Accord, and Civic Turbo.
Honda HR-V
Price: BDT 38,50,000/ INR 29,11,878
While multiple rumours suggested that Honda will bring the new HR-V to the Indian market, the brand finally launched the Elevate to capture the mid-size SUV segment. The HR-V is available in the Bangladesh market though.
Honda Civic Turbo
Price: BDT 41,00,000/ INR 3,100,961
Honda discontinued the Civic from India after bringing it back. The car did not do very well and eventually, Honda had to discontinue the vehicle.
Honda CR-V Turbo
Price: BDT 55,50,000/ INR 41,97,642
Honda also sells the CR-V in Bangladesh. While CR-V was a popular product in India, it could not compete with the new products. Honda eventually had to shut down the factory where CR-V was being manufactured.
Hyundai
The South Korean manufacturer has a huge presence in Bangladesh and offers a massive line-up of cars. While Hyundai is yet to update its Venue and Verna in that market, it offers its premium offerings in Bangladesh.
Hyundai Santa Fe
Price: BDT 47,00,000/ INR 35,54,760
Incorporating the latest design elements from Hyundai’s new generation, the fourth-generation Hyundai Santa Fe showcases features like the contemporary cascade grille and composite headlamps similar to those seen on the Kona SUV. Its LED daytime running lights (DRLs) are situated on the upper section, flanking the central headlamp, while the lower fog lamps rest near the road surface.
Hyundai Palisade
Price: BDT 1,50,00,000 / INR 1,13,44,979
The Palisade is the flagship SUV available in the global market. While there were rumours that the SUV will enter the Indian market, it does not seem like it will happen anytime soon at the moment.
Hyundai Sonata
Price: BDT 47,00,000 / INR 35,54,760
Hyundai currently only sells the Verna as a sedan in the Indian market. In Bangladesh though, the manufacturer also sells the Elantra and Sonata.
Why Bangladesh gets cars that India does not get?
The primary reason for this is manufacturing. While nearly all manufacturers have established production units in India, many import vehicles to Bangladesh. In India, there is a significant price disparity between imported vehicles and domestically manufactured cars, making locally-produced cars more popular due to their affordability. However, in Bangladesh, where all cars are imported, this price difference doesn’t exist. Therefore, manufacturers don’t hesitate to import models and offer them for sale in countries like Bangladesh, where local automobile manufacturing is nearly nonexistent.
Also read: Upcoming 2022 Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza rendered
