In early 2023, automakers faced a semiconductor shortage, resulting in longer customer wait times. However, by the end of the year, the Indian automobile industry had broken multiple sales records and set new records. This year was marked by the transformation to EVs and a growing focus on safer vehicles. As 2024 approaches, we’ve identified his most important car launches of 2023.
Toyota’s 100% ethanol fuel vehicle
In August 2023, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari launched the 100 per cent ethanol-fueled Toyota Innova vehicle, which will be the world’s first BS-VI Stage II compliant electric flex-fuel vehicle. Ethanol is a renewable fuel obtained from the fermentation of sugars from plant materials. The agricultural products most commonly used to produce ethanol include sugarcane, corn, and corn.
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Honda Elevate SUV
Honda Cars India will launch its first compact SUV in September 2023, naming it ‘Elevate’. The selling price of Elevates starts from INR 11 million and reaches INR 16.2 million for the top-end model. The launch was significant given the popularity of this segment among Indian buyers. All major automakers have been launching products in this category for a long time, with Honda being a latecomer in the compact SUV space.
Before Elevate, Honda did not have a competitive product in this segment to make a mark in the Indian compact SUV market. The Elevate is powered by Honda’s 1.5-liter naturally aspirated gasoline engine, which produces 121 horsepower and 145 Nm of torque.
Maruti Suzuki Jimny
In one of the most anticipated launches of the year, Maruti Suzuki has launched its sub-4 meter long off-roader Jimny in June 2023 at a starting price of Rs 12.74 lakh (ex-showroom). The Jimny was touted as a rival to Mahindra’s Thar, but it lacked the power and commanding presence on the road like the Thar. It also had to overcome the budget-friendly two-wheel-drive diesel version of the Thar, which Mahindra launched for Rs 9,990 crore.
At $1.274 million, car critics and customers said the Jimny was too expensive. Maruti Suzuki has since slashed the price of the Jimny by Rs 200,000 and it is now priced at Rs 10.74 lakh.
Triumph Street Triple, Triumph Speed 400, and Scrambler 400
Triumph launched mid-weight bikes Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 X in July 2023. These two bikes of his are the first products from the Bajaj Triumph association. While the design and engineering of the bike is done by Triumph, the manufacturing, service stations and distribution will be handled by Bajaj Auto.
Both bikes are powered by the same 398 cc engine, which has been newly developed for the two bikes. The engine he produces a maximum torque of 39.4 bhp and 37 Nm and is combined with a 6-speed gearbox. Weighing 170 kg, the Speed 400 has a more compact and agile design with a seat height of 790 mm, while the taller Scrambler weighs 179 kg and has a seat height of 835 mm.
Triumph has also launched its naked performance bike ‘Street Triple’ in June 2023 at a starting price of Rs 10.17 million. The bike is powered by a 765 cc inline 3-cylinder engine that produces a maximum torque of 80 Nm at 9500 rpm.
Hyundai Ecstar Micro SUV
Hyundai Motors launched the entry-level SUV Exter in July 2023 at a starting price of Rs 5,990,000, while the top-end model is priced at Rs 9,31,000 ex-showroom. The car is based on the same platform as the Hyundai i10 Nios and Aura, is powered by a 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, and is available with both manual and automatic transmissions. Exter also has his CNG version, priced at Rs 8.23 lakh.
Royal Enfield Bullet 2023 & Royal Enfield Himalayan 452
Also read: EV industry expected to end record sales year despite subsidy cuts
Royal Enfield also launched the Himalayan 452 in November 2023. The biggest topic of conversation was the bike’s engine, which happened to be a 451.65cc single-cylinder engine capable of delivering a peak output of 40 horsepower at 8,000 rpm. The engine is RE’s first water-cooled engine and delivers the same power as Triumph’s Speed 400.
Citroen C3 Aircross
Citroen launched the compact SUV C3 Aircross in September 2023 at a starting price of Rs 9,999 million (ex-showroom). The C3 Aircross is the company’s fourth product in the Indian market, following the C5 Aircross, C3 and E-C3. There are three people left.
Hero Charisma XMR 210
Hero launched Karizma XMR 210 in August 2023 at an ex-showroom price of Rs 1.73 lakh. This bike was first introduced in 2003 in collaboration with Honda and Hero MotoCorp. This bike has aggressive styling with LED daytime running lights for a sharp and sophisticated look. This bike is equipped with a 210 cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled unit that produces a maximum power of 25.15 hp and a maximum torque of 20.4 Nm.
harley davidson x440
Similar to Triumph and Bajaj’s partnership, Hero MotoCorp has partnered with American retro bike manufacturer Harley-Davidson to launch one of the most awaited bikes of the year, the Harley-Davidson X440, in July 2023. The X440 is Harley-Davidson’s most affordable bike and is the company’s second attempt to enter the mid-weight bike market in India.
The X440 is powered by an air-cooled, oil-cooled, 440 cc single-cylinder engine that rotates at 8,000 rpm. The engine produces 27 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and a maximum torque of 38 Nm at 4,000 rpm. The weight of the bike is 190.5kg.
toyota lumion
Toyota launched the Rumion, which is based on the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga, in August 2023. The car will be manufactured and supplied by Maruti Suzuki. With the introduction of Lumion, Toyota now has the most MPVs in its portfolio. The other three cars are Innova Crysta, Innova High Cross, and Vellfire.
The exterior design of the Lumion will be slightly differentiated, but it will have the same seven-seat configuration and 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system as the Ertiga. Toyota Rumion is equipped with the same 1.5 liter gasoline engine that produces 103 hp and a maximum torque of 137 Nm.
What are the key automotive launches of 2024?
2023 saw the launch of some of the most anticipated products in the Indian auto market and 2024 is expected to be just as busy. Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) is expected to announce updates to its compact SUV “XUV300”. The company is also preparing to launch a five-door version of its popular off-roader, the Thar. According to the report, unlike the three-door Thar currently on sale, the five-door Thar version will be over 4 meters long, giving it a commanding presence on the road.
Also read: Automakers brace for slow sales from 2023 onwards, prepare for more EV launches
Maruti Suzuki’s first EV
Maruti is all set to step into the EV space with its first ever electric vehicle eVX.
new renault duster
Renault plans to reintroduce the Duster in a new avatar. French carmaker Renault introduced the compact SUV segment in the Indian market with the launch of Duster in 2012. The car quickly became a hit, and other manufacturers followed suit.
Tata Curvv and Punch EV
Tata Motors has unveiled the concept car “Curvv” at several events, and the company is likely to launch this coupe-type SUV in 2024. The car is expected to be powered by Tata’s new turbocharged petrol direct injection (TGDI) engine. Tata is developing two versions of his with a capacity of 1.2 liters and 1.5 liters. These engines may also be introduced in other Tata cars.
Tata may also launch an electric model of its entry-level SUV Punch in 2024. The Punch is expected to have a larger battery pack than the Tiago EV.