Wednesday, January 25, 2012
By Pawan Rana
Volkswagen, Toyota at loggerheads for the 5th position in India
Indian car market has seen some of the bigwig car brands. At the recently concluded Auto Expo 2012, some have made their debut in India like the BMW Mini series apart from others. Whereas Volkswagen which is already in India has locked horns with Toyota to take the latter’s 5th position in the passenger vehicle segment. Both the brands are at solid footing and have almost established themselves in India quite comfortably. Where Toyota cashes on Toyota Innova, Toyota Etios and recently launched Etios Liva and has bagged in much response from Indian car buyers, Volkswagen has Vento and Polo hatchback to offer for the mass segment.
| See More Volkswagen Vento Pictures | Get Volkswagen Vento Price |
On the other hand, Volkswagen has also made India its land with offerings such as Volkswagen Polo, Volkswagen Vento sedan and besides others. Now the race to the fifth largest passenger vehicle maker in India is on. Volkswagen has buckled up to replace Toyota at the fifth position. This is the wish and target of John Chacko, president and MD of VW India. Similarly, there has been a rising demand for other German and Czech brand such as Audi and Skoda and these could also be the contestants.
| See More Toyota Etios Liva Pictures | Get Toyota Etios Liva Price |
Now the question is whether Volkswagen will be able to make it with seven offerings in every segment, be it hatchback, sedan or SUV. It also has bright prospects signaled by the overall 109 percent sales growth in 2011 when even the big players like Maruti could only register minimal growth.
Toyota on the other hand too has a strong hold over the market with some of its excellent offering such as the recently launched Etios sedan and Liva hatchback. The late launches of the diesel avatar of these cars were a big advantage for the Japanese car maker. Toyota too registered a growth of 82 percent in 2011 and has cashed a lot on the entry level sedan Etios and the affordable diesel hatchback Toyota Etios Liva diesel.
