Cars & SUVs that can change their makers’ fortunes

The Indian automotive market is a tough nut to crack, and the commercial success isn’t just dependent on how good a product is. Keeping that in mind, we list the cars which can change their respective company’s fortune, if and when launched in the country.

Datsun redi-GO

Based on the same platform as the Renault Kwid, the upcoming Datsun redi-GO is going to be positioned below the current GO line-up. The new entry-level car was received well when it made an appearance in the concept form at the 2014 Auto Expo. Apart from styling and affordability, the prospects of having a 1.2-liter engine in a small car make the redi-GO appear very promising indeed.

Tata Nexon

Tata Motors is slowly rejuvenating its line-up with new products, and the Nexon is going to be one of the more important ones. Based on the same platform as the Bolt, the sub-four-meter SUV is expected to go on sale in 2017. Powering the vehicle will be a range of Tata-developed engines: a 1.2-liter turbocharged petrol and a new 1.5-liter diesel. AMT will be available as an option, and as seen on the near-production avatar at the 2016 Auto Expo, the looks will be interesting, too.

Chevrolet Adra

The fact that GM doesn’t have a compact SUV won’t have any positive impact on the dwindling sales, but if the company intends to get it right, the Adra might help them do so. As a design exercise, the Adra doesn’t look bad, and if put into production, it might just be able to have a substantial share of the compact SUV market. Sub-four-meter dimensions will help keep a check on the prices, and thus limit the competition to Ford EcoSport, Maruti Vitara Brezza, Mahindra TUV300, and the upcoming Tata Nexon.

Toyota Vios

The Toyota Etios might trump the sub-four-meter sedans in terms of space (and even driveability to a large extent) but the car certainly can’t hold its candle against the C+ segment rivals. But all that might change, if Toyota decides to bring the Vios to India. It’s more premium, looks better, and comes with a better interior, too – not the Etios’ strongest points.

Ssangyong Tivoli

Widely appreciated in the markets abroad, the Tivoli can go on to be one of the best products in both Mahindra’s and Ssangyong’s line-ups in India. The 5-seater crossover comes with both petrol and diesel engines, gets AWD as an option, and shares the same 6-speed automatic (optional) gearbox with the XUV500. Now that the company showcased it at the 2016 Auto Expo, let’s hope that the vehicle makes a market debut soon.