The Indian car market is an ever changing one. To stay ahead in the market, companies have to sometimes pull the plug on existing models and sometimes come up with all new versions of their existing cars. Here are 15 cars that are soon going to say bye bye to the market soon.
Tata Aria
The Tata Aria was built on an all new platform and was the first UV to have an all new one in 20 years. It was also Tata’s flagship offering. It came with a whole host of technologies and features which were segment first. Also, it was the only MPV to come with a 4wd system. Due to poor brand name, the car never really caught on though.
Why is it saying bye?
Tata will be launching the Hexa crossover soon. Though the Hexa is more of an evolution of the Aria, they will be ditching the whole Aria brand name and going ahead with only the Hexa one. The new vehicle will be launched soon and will feature the same 2.2 liter engine with 154 Bhp and 400 Nm like on the Safari Varicor. The vehicle will also come with the option of drive select. Tata hopes they can regain lost market share with this vehicle.
Toyota Fortuner
The Fortuner has been around for a while now. There was just one minor facelift and that’s about it. With the competition from the Ford Endeavour now rising, Toyota needs to act if they want to retain their no.1 position in the segment.
Why is it saying bye?
Now that the diesel ban has got lifted in the Delhi NCR, Toyota’s plans of bringing in the all new Fortuner are back. The vehicle has already been spotted testing in the country. The new Fortuner is expected sometime next year and will come with new engine options. Like the Innova, it will get the 2.4 liter (148 Bhp and 400 Nm) and 2.8 liter (177 Bhp and 450 Nm) GD units. The vehicle looks a lot more fresher and nicer, both on the inside and the outside. Though it has lost a part of its butchness.
Maruti Ritz
The Ritz was never a sales chart topper. The Swift and the Ritz fell in the same segment and the Swift was the one that was chosen more. The Ritz will soon be discontinued from the Indian market.
Why is it saying bye?
The Ritz will be replaced by the all new Ignis. The Ignis will be positioned as a crossover hatchback, but at a cheaper price point. It will most likely take on the KUV100 when it is launched later this year. It will most likely have the same 1.2 liter petrol and 1.3 liter diesel engine that is on the Ritz currently. However the petrol version could get the SHVS hybrid system as well. The Ignis will be the smallest offering from Maruti’s premium Nexa dealership.
Hyundai Elantra
The current Elantra is also saying goodbye to the market next week due to the new one coming.
Why is it saying bye?
The all new Elantra is making its debut in the Indian market on the 23rd of this month. The vehicle gets more aggressive styling and looks really nice. Under the hood as well the Hyundai will get an all new 2.0 liter engine that makes 150 Bhp and 190 Nm. The diesel will be the same 1.6 liter unit that makes 126 Bhp and 265 Nm. The interiors of the new Elantra have also got a major upgrade and now feature Apple’s Car Play system.
Chevrolet Sail
The Sail was never a car that was much liked. It was spacious and comfortable but that was it. It was boring to look at and didn’t have a good engine or interiors.
Why is it saying bye?
The company has decided to pull the plug on all the products that it has from its Chinese counterpart, SAIC. Since the Sail is a part of that and it isn’t really desirable, the company will be discontinuing the Sail altogether with the possibility of a sub 4-meter sedan replacing it. Yes, GM did show a sub 4-meter sedan concept at the Auto Expo and that is what they are going to bring to the Indian market.
Chevrolet Sail Hatchback
Like its elder brother, the Sail hatchback too never got much attention.
Why is it saying bye?
Since the company doesn’t want to continue with their SAIC line up, the Sail hatchback too will be axed very soon. No replacement is planned for the same as of now.
Chevrolet Enjoy
The MPV segment is something that isn’t getting a lot of numbers and isn’t very exciting either, except the Innova Crysta.
Why is it saying bye?
The Enjoy was going to be discontinued and replaced with the Spin MPV. But because GM wants their Indian line up to be more like their American line up and not have the Chinese products, the plans to launch the Spin have been cancelled. The Enjoy too will be discontinued soon and no replacement for the same is planned as of now.