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Customer LoginsVW, Renault, and Ford launch special-edition models in India to capitalise on festive demand
Volkswagen, Renault, and Ford have launched special editions of their Polo, Duster, and EcoSport models, respectively, in India in a bid to boost sales volumes.
IHS Markit Perspective
- Significance: Volkswagen, Renault, and Ford have launched special editions of their Polo, Duster, and EcoSport models, respectively, in India with a view to capitalising on festive demand.
- Implications: The festive season, which started earlier this month, is traditionally associated with purchases of big-ticket items such as passenger vehicles.
- Outlook: Although the government imposed additional taxes on vehicles in the union budget earlier this year, increased affordability and an improved economic scenario have resulted in stronger consumer sentiment. As a result, IHS Automotive has raised its 2016 light-vehicle sales forecast for India to 3.38 million units, equating to growth of 7.5% year on year.
Automakers have launched special editions of their popular vehicles in India with a view to capitalising on festive demand. Important among these limited-edition models are the Volkswagen (VW) Polo, Renault Duster, and Ford EcoSport, which have all received cosmetic changes in recent days.
VW has introduced the Polo AllStar - a limited-edition model of the Polo that comes with AllStar badging on the B-pillar and scuff plates as well as 15-inch diamond cut alloy wheels. The vehicle continues to be powered by either a 1.2-litre gasoline (petrol) or 1.5-litre diesel engine, but VW has added redesigned upholstery, rear AC vents, and adjustable driver armrest to boost the appeal of the AllStar edition. The vehicle also comes with five new colours - Reflex Silver, Candy White, Flash Red, Toffee Brown, and Blue Silk. The automaker has not yet revealed the price of the AllStar edition, although reports indicate it is likely to be around INR20,000 (USD299) pricier than the standard versions.
Similarly, Renault has introduced the Adventure Edition of its popular Duster sport utility vehicle (SUV). In a statement, the automaker says that the special edition is offered with a 1.5-litre diesel engine that is available in two levels of output - 84 bhp and 108 bhp. Both variants are mated to a 5-speed manual transmission, but only the higher-output version is offered in all-wheel-drive (AWD) configuration. The pricing of the Duster Adventure Edition has been set between INR964,000 and INR1.37 million in New Delhi, which reflects an increase of nearly INR10,000 over the base models. The special edition is offered with a slightly different grille, Adventure badging, and a yellow-coloured skid plate. In the interior, the special-edition model is offered with stone-washed denim seats that are removable and washable.
Meanwhile, Ford has introduced a new EcoSport with Signature Edition range of accessories. The Signature Edition is offered with new LED daytime running lamps, while the front and rear bumpers are also accentuated with silver trimmings. The special edition is essentially based on the Black Titanium trim that was introduced earlier this year. As a result, the Signature Edition vehicles feature black front grille, black-out moulded headlamps, black fog lamp bezel, and black roof rails. As it is a limited-edition model, there are no changes to the vehicle's powertrain and thus all three current engines are available for buyers of the Signature Edition EcoSport. The special edition is priced upwards from INR926,000 in New Delhi.
Outlook and implications
India's festive season, which started earlier this month, is traditionally associated with purchases of big-ticket items such as passenger vehicles. Given that October and November are traditionally strong months for the market, automakers and dealerships tend to increase their inventory levels in September. This partly explains the strong growth in wholesale shipments registered in India last month. Consumer confidence has been boosted lately by receding inflation, which has allowed the central bank to cut interest rates. In its latest move, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) reduced repo rates by 25 basis points to 6.25% earlier this month.
About this article
The above article is from IHS Automotive Same-Day Analysis of automotive news, events and trends, and is a deliverable of the World Markets Automotive Service. The service averages thirty stories per day and also provides competitor and country intelligence. Get a free trial.