Maruti Suzuki cars now confronted by Peugeot soon

Peugeot is now ready to step into the compact sedans and hatchbacks segment of the Indian car market very soon. The French automaker is planning to challenge India’s largest carmaker, Maruti Suzuki followed by Hyundai Motors, who is the second largest car manufacturer in the Indian car bazaar. Apparently, Peugeot is expected to bring in few small cars, including compact sedans and hatchbacks into the Indian car market as soon as its assembly plant in Sanand Gujarat is ready. In its headquarters, Peugeot has already begun working on these hatchbacks.

Officially, the firm has mentioned that these cars will be based on Peugeot’s low cost, M3 platform.It was guessed that Peugeot 208 hatchback could be the next in India after 508 sedan. As per the officials of Peugeot, the firm’s assembly operations in India will be starting soon and in about two years, these car models will be seen plying on the Indian roads. The first vehicle on cards from Peugeot will be compact sedan that would directly compete with Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire CS. This compact sedan from Peugeot is expected to feature 1.3 litre of turbo charged diesel motor. A petrol option might also be in the pipeline as well. The next of list is a premium hatchback that would be based on the same M3 platform.

The company wants to tap the volume segment of the Indian car marker and development of these cars is a positive step towards that direction. Furthermore, Peugeot India has also confirmed its Indian operations at the 11th Auto Expo 2012 in New Delhi and displayed some potential car models, which would soon be launched in India. Because of the unfortunate European predicament that is currently been going on, Peugeot said that there might be a bit of delay in its Indian operation plans. Right now, the firm is actually looking for collaboration with a non-auto OEM for some aid in marketing and investment related activities.Automobile News