Editor at CarToq, made-in-India, food, motorcycles, cars, travel, money markets, IIT KGP
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Toyota Innova Hycross Facelift launching on 26th November.
It'll be more than a mere facelift. It'll be India's first flex fuel hybrid car.
One such car is already being used by Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari.
Soon, you and me will be able to buy one.
However, one sticky point remains. The price of E100.
Until that gets reduced drastically, flex fuel won't really make a big difference wrt running costs as ethanol has lower energy content than petrol.
Effectively, a car running on E100 will consume more fuel. Therefore, a lower price for E100 is what will boost adoption.
@CarToq @Toyota_India
7 in 10 Slavias, Kushaqs sold are automatics. 1 in 2 Kylaqs sold are automatics. So, over 50 % of Skoda's sales comes from automatic cars.
Many affordable 'driver's cars' are now automatics!
The larger point is: Manual gearboxes are no fun in our traffic-infested Indian cities. Especially, in stop-go traffic.
Automatics are way more comfortable for daily use, and with paddles, a good automatic car can be big fun even on twisty roads!
PS: Manuals are still ok if you drive mainly on the highway but for the city, an automatic is a no-brainer.
@CarToq @SkodaIndia
cartoq.com/car-news/skoda-sl…
Rs. 2.25 lakh is all it takes to convert an old car to an electric car.
If a well kept donor car is say Rs. 2.5 lakh, total cost of affordable mobility will be under Rs. 5 lakh.
Example: Check this WagonR EV out.
But why isn't Govt encouraging EV retro-fits on a large scale?
Because retro-fits means less taxes, and less incentive for people to buy new cars.
@CarToq
cartoq.com/car-news/maruti-w…
Full price list of the Hyundai Bayon is here. It's NOT cheap. 22.18 lakh, on-road BLR for the top-end CVT. Introductory.
Given the fact that it's introductory (liable to go up), the top-end Bayon Automatic sits about 70K lower than the Creta. It's dangerously close.
Add the fact that the Creta has discounts running, the Bayon could quickly become hardsell.
This is a clear indication that the next-generation Creta is going to get pricier. So, Hyundai is smartly positioning another car to absorb demand in that space.
In pure price terms, the Bayon is not very competitively priced. It will have initial demand like most Hyundai cars and then settle down to say about 4,000-5,000 units. And much of it could come from cross-shopping from Creta and Venue buyers.
About the Bayon pulling big numbers from the Victoris or for that matter Seltos, it's very unlikely.
For now, the Bayon's freshness (not pricing) should get enough people into Hyundai showrooms. But beyond that, it's going to be much harder. I'm keen to see what happens in the next 6-8 months.
@CarToq @HyundaiIndia
The Hyundai Bayon launches today.
It's Hyundai's first new car in a year. The lull is atypical of Hyundai but the Bayon is the beginning of a launch blitz of sorts.
The Bayon also heralds Hyundai's new 'Art Of Steel' design language.
And the price is the only thing there is left to know about the car.
The Bayon will slot between the Venue and Creta.
A 9.99 lakh price tag is very likely. Why?
1. The Creta base trim running the same powertrain as the Bayon is priced at 10.9 lakh.
2. The Venue 1.2 NA base trim starts from 7.99 lakh, but gets lower GST thanks to its sub-4 meter length.
3. The Creta Petrol is selling at discounts. 1 lakh off even on the base E trim.
So, a 9.99 lakh price point is the most logical price fitment for the Bayon.
If Hyundai wants to shock and awe, they can do a 9.49/9.79 introductory but knowing Hyundai, they generally push loaded cars over sharp prices.
What do you think?
@CarToq @HyundaiIndia
I told you so. The Hyundai Bayon starts at Rs. 9.99 lakh!
:-D On the money!!!
@CarToq @HyundaiIndia
Hyundai Bayon CNG confirmed for January 2027. Takes aim directly at the Maruti Victoris.
@CarToq @HyundaiIndia
Those whose hearts still beat for the Creta might want to check this out: cartoq.com/car-news/hyundai-…
