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- Mar 8, 2024
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In case you haven't noticed, SUVs are clearly the flavour of the season, not just in India, but across the globe. Many manufacturers, including Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz, have been strengthening their SUV portfolio, as demand for the same surges from emerging markets.
What's also interesting to note is that these 'emerging markets', or 'developing economies' as most suited traders on news channels like to call them, have a fair bit of strict rules as far as automobiles go. Tapping these markets are crucial too, since it not only boosts sales but also helps in expanding the manufacturer's reach, building brand value in the process.
India has the sub 4-metre rule which dictates the maximum length and engine capacities that cars can have in order to qualify for a tax break. Since the government remained mum on the body style, we have everything from sedans to SUVs ducking under the mark to get an exemption.
Latest word is that the Renault-Nissan alliance, along with their recent acquisition, Mitsubishi, will be joining hands in developing a SUV to slot below the Duster. Mr Carlos Ghosn, the big boss at Renault, confirmed the same at the ongoing Paris Motor Show. And, in our books, the move makes complete sense. A sub-compact SUV definitely rounds off the portfolio well (especially in India), and gives the company something to pit against the hugely popular Maruti Vitara Brezza and the Ford EcoSport.
Moreover, the basics appear to be in place already. A modular platform that can adapt to be a sub 4-metre compact SUV (read: CMF-B); a pair of potent engines in the 1.5-litre dCi diesel and the 1.2-litre petrol from the Micra; and, most importantly, a growing presence in emerging markets. Of course, we'd love to be surprised and see options like a 4x4 system, but we have a feeling that won't be the case, to keep costs in check.
Considering Mr Ghosn has already made the announcement, the final product cannot be too far away. While there's no official confirmation, you can expect a compact SUV from one of the three companies (who knows, Mitsubishi India might just get a shot in the arm with this) sometime in 2018.
(image for representation only)
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