Nissan Evalia
Jan ’13 – Aug ’13 sales: 957
The Nissan Evalia has no excuse really to not get after buyers. It’s big, it’s spacious, it’s highly fuel efficient and easy to drive. But buyers just don’t want it. The primary reason is the few drawbacks we had also pointed out in our initial review of the Nissan Evalia – that of windows that cannot be properly opened in the middle and last row, as well as the lack of some basic comfort features. Nissan is in the process of addressing these issues as we write this and a new Evalia should be in the market soon with renewed fervour. So far this year, only about 957 Evalias have moved out of showrooms and have mainly been picked by fleet operators. Also watch: Nissan GT-R
Renault Fluence
Jan ’13 – Aug ’13 sales: 856
As far as premium sedans go, the Renault Fluence is one of the most luxurious and spacious cars you can buy, easily outclassing cars such as the Chevrolet Cruze, Toyota Altis and Skoda Laura on space and comfort. And the styling too is pretty unique. One would have thought that buyers looking for that bit of individuality and style would have lapped up the Fluence, but sales have slowed down considerably. The Fluence comes with two diesel engine choices and a petrol engine, with the diesel being highly fuel efficient as well. In contrast, among sedans in the Rs. 10 lakh to Rs. 18 lakh price segment, the Hyundai Elantra has done well for itself, selling 3,622 cars. Of course, that’s not much considering the whole segment has shrunk, thanks to SUVs in the same price bracket seeming more attractive. Also see: Renault Fluence
Ford Fiesta
Jan ’13 – Aug ’13 sales: 651
The Ford Fiesta just doesn’t deserve to be ignored so badly by buyers. It’s a car that would please enthusiasts with its handling and as far as automatic sedans go, it is one of the best you can get for under Rs. 10 lakh. Yet, the initial pricing fiasco of the Ford Fiesta has stuck – buyers just don’t consider it despite Ford having revised variants and prices to make the Fiesta more competitive. So far this year it has sold only 651 units, while its older cousin that was taken downmarket – the Ford Classic – sold nearly 4,000 units between January and August. Also see: Ford Updates
Skoda Yeti
Jan ’13 – Aug ’13 sales: 431
The Skoda Yeti is a highly underrated product. It combines the charms of a sedan with the toughness and versatility of an SUV, with the 4×4 variant adding go-anywhere capability. The Yeti is a good alternative to a sedan and is the original compact SUV of the premium segment. It has a good power-to-weight ratio, great handling and very good fuel economy. But it’s not catching on with buyers – as most want the butch appearance and size of an SUV to go with the tag. So far this year only 431 Yetis were sold. In comparison, the Toyota Fortuner which is on average about Rs. 6 lakh more expensive than the Skoda Yeti sold 11,795 units so far. Also see: Skoda Updates
Tata Aria
Jan ’13 – Aug ’13 sales: 122
The Tata Aria is actually a brilliant product let down completely by two things – expensive pricing and brand image. It is mechanically a robust product with one of the best ride qualities among all multi-purpose vehicles, with the 4×4 variants adding that much-needed go-anywhere ability as well. It was meant to take the Toyota Innova head on, but has failed to excite buyers. From January 2013 till August 2013, the Tata had managed to get just 122 Arias out of the showroom. The Tata Aria is priced between Rs. 10.17 lakh and Rs. 17.2 lakh ex-showroom Delhi. For the record, the Mahindra XUV500, competing in the same price bracket, has sold 20,424 units in the same period. Also read: Tata Updates.
Data source: Industry figures/Team-BHP
Jan ’13 – Aug ’13 sales: 957
The Nissan Evalia has no excuse really to not get after buyers. It’s big, it’s spacious, it’s highly fuel efficient and easy to drive. But buyers just don’t want it. The primary reason is the few drawbacks we had also pointed out in our initial review of the Nissan Evalia – that of windows that cannot be properly opened in the middle and last row, as well as the lack of some basic comfort features. Nissan is in the process of addressing these issues as we write this and a new Evalia should be in the market soon with renewed fervour. So far this year, only about 957 Evalias have moved out of showrooms and have mainly been picked by fleet operators. Also watch: Nissan GT-R
Renault Fluence
Jan ’13 – Aug ’13 sales: 856
As far as premium sedans go, the Renault Fluence is one of the most luxurious and spacious cars you can buy, easily outclassing cars such as the Chevrolet Cruze, Toyota Altis and Skoda Laura on space and comfort. And the styling too is pretty unique. One would have thought that buyers looking for that bit of individuality and style would have lapped up the Fluence, but sales have slowed down considerably. The Fluence comes with two diesel engine choices and a petrol engine, with the diesel being highly fuel efficient as well. In contrast, among sedans in the Rs. 10 lakh to Rs. 18 lakh price segment, the Hyundai Elantra has done well for itself, selling 3,622 cars. Of course, that’s not much considering the whole segment has shrunk, thanks to SUVs in the same price bracket seeming more attractive. Also see: Renault Fluence
Ford Fiesta
Jan ’13 – Aug ’13 sales: 651
The Ford Fiesta just doesn’t deserve to be ignored so badly by buyers. It’s a car that would please enthusiasts with its handling and as far as automatic sedans go, it is one of the best you can get for under Rs. 10 lakh. Yet, the initial pricing fiasco of the Ford Fiesta has stuck – buyers just don’t consider it despite Ford having revised variants and prices to make the Fiesta more competitive. So far this year it has sold only 651 units, while its older cousin that was taken downmarket – the Ford Classic – sold nearly 4,000 units between January and August. Also see: Ford Updates
Skoda Yeti
Jan ’13 – Aug ’13 sales: 431
The Skoda Yeti is a highly underrated product. It combines the charms of a sedan with the toughness and versatility of an SUV, with the 4×4 variant adding go-anywhere capability. The Yeti is a good alternative to a sedan and is the original compact SUV of the premium segment. It has a good power-to-weight ratio, great handling and very good fuel economy. But it’s not catching on with buyers – as most want the butch appearance and size of an SUV to go with the tag. So far this year only 431 Yetis were sold. In comparison, the Toyota Fortuner which is on average about Rs. 6 lakh more expensive than the Skoda Yeti sold 11,795 units so far. Also see: Skoda Updates
Tata Aria
Jan ’13 – Aug ’13 sales: 122
The Tata Aria is actually a brilliant product let down completely by two things – expensive pricing and brand image. It is mechanically a robust product with one of the best ride qualities among all multi-purpose vehicles, with the 4×4 variants adding that much-needed go-anywhere ability as well. It was meant to take the Toyota Innova head on, but has failed to excite buyers. From January 2013 till August 2013, the Tata had managed to get just 122 Arias out of the showroom. The Tata Aria is priced between Rs. 10.17 lakh and Rs. 17.2 lakh ex-showroom Delhi. For the record, the Mahindra XUV500, competing in the same price bracket, has sold 20,424 units in the same period. Also read: Tata Updates.
Data source: Industry figures/Team-BHP