The latest trend that has caught all Indians in frenzy is ‘Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs)’.
Of late we have witnesses a number of SUVs being launched in India. A couple of weeks back, India graced the Land Rover Freelander 2 and the facelifted Nissan X-Trail. The year 2009 welcomed numerous SUVs like the Porsche Cayenne, Audi Q5, BMW X3, X5 and X6, Toyota Land Cruiser and Fortuner, Land Rover Discovery and Range Rover, Volkswagen Touareg, Volvo XC90 and many more.
There have been relaunches of certain SUVs with a facelift as well such as the 2010 Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, 2010 Audi Q7, new Mercedes M-Class and 2010 Ford Endeavour etc.
The premium SUVs are priced in the range between Rs 15-60 Lakh and they command a market of 12,000-14,000 units annually in India. Some prominent players in this segment are the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Mitsubishi Pajero, Outlander and Montero, Audi Q5, Mercedes M-Class, BMW X3, X5 and X6, Toyota Land Cruiser and Fortuner and Porsche Cayenne. The Ford Endeavour has maintained its leadership in the SUV market.
India is all set to greet more SUVs in near future. As a result, car buyers, especially SUV lovers, will find themselves spoilt for choice in the coming months. The Skoda Yeti, Volkswagen Tiguan, Audi Q3, Nissan Murano, diesel versions of Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, Porsche Cayenne, Hyundai Santa Fe and a new unnamed SUV from Ford as well as a low-cost SUV from Premier Auto are in the line-up to debut in India.
But why SUVs?
Well, the first and the foremost reason is that SUVs are made for Indian roads. SUVs have amazing off-roading capacity. Let us explain to give you a clear picture. Indian roads have poor stretches and this is disconcerting and uncomfortable in a car. SUVs have a high ground clearance and as a result centre of gravity and mass move up as well giving the passenger a comfortable ride. SUVs are also more open to abuse. Air pressure on average is checked less often.
Moreover, SUVs are tough and can carry plenty of loads. In fact, an SUV can be termed as a private taxi as it can ferry all your family and friends as well as pets and there is still room for luggage. So, an SUV is extremely spacious and can make long drives with family and friends comfortable and convenient without any compromise.
In India, it has become a prestigious issue to own an SUV. The vehicle also imparts a huge road presence and is the king of all cars.
The SUV craze will continue for time in India till it is replaced by an automobile better than an SUV. The SUVs have to stand against the test of time to prove their might for their presence. Even if, SUVs are being replaced, we’ll always herald, “Long Live the SUV”.
Of late we have witnesses a number of SUVs being launched in India. A couple of weeks back, India graced the Land Rover Freelander 2 and the facelifted Nissan X-Trail. The year 2009 welcomed numerous SUVs like the Porsche Cayenne, Audi Q5, BMW X3, X5 and X6, Toyota Land Cruiser and Fortuner, Land Rover Discovery and Range Rover, Volkswagen Touareg, Volvo XC90 and many more.
There have been relaunches of certain SUVs with a facelift as well such as the 2010 Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, 2010 Audi Q7, new Mercedes M-Class and 2010 Ford Endeavour etc.
The premium SUVs are priced in the range between Rs 15-60 Lakh and they command a market of 12,000-14,000 units annually in India. Some prominent players in this segment are the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Mitsubishi Pajero, Outlander and Montero, Audi Q5, Mercedes M-Class, BMW X3, X5 and X6, Toyota Land Cruiser and Fortuner and Porsche Cayenne. The Ford Endeavour has maintained its leadership in the SUV market.
India is all set to greet more SUVs in near future. As a result, car buyers, especially SUV lovers, will find themselves spoilt for choice in the coming months. The Skoda Yeti, Volkswagen Tiguan, Audi Q3, Nissan Murano, diesel versions of Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, Porsche Cayenne, Hyundai Santa Fe and a new unnamed SUV from Ford as well as a low-cost SUV from Premier Auto are in the line-up to debut in India.
But why SUVs?
Well, the first and the foremost reason is that SUVs are made for Indian roads. SUVs have amazing off-roading capacity. Let us explain to give you a clear picture. Indian roads have poor stretches and this is disconcerting and uncomfortable in a car. SUVs have a high ground clearance and as a result centre of gravity and mass move up as well giving the passenger a comfortable ride. SUVs are also more open to abuse. Air pressure on average is checked less often.
Moreover, SUVs are tough and can carry plenty of loads. In fact, an SUV can be termed as a private taxi as it can ferry all your family and friends as well as pets and there is still room for luggage. So, an SUV is extremely spacious and can make long drives with family and friends comfortable and convenient without any compromise.
In India, it has become a prestigious issue to own an SUV. The vehicle also imparts a huge road presence and is the king of all cars.
The SUV craze will continue for time in India till it is replaced by an automobile better than an SUV. The SUVs have to stand against the test of time to prove their might for their presence. Even if, SUVs are being replaced, we’ll always herald, “Long Live the SUV”.
Labels: Indian-SUV, Sports-Utility-Vehicle, SUV-Sales
