| Small car galore at Geneva Motor show | | | | Micra at the Geneva Motor Show, which is likely |
| The world is catching up with the small car fever | | | | to hit the Indian roads soon. Nissan’s new |
| and car makers are rolling out new products to | | | | Micra would be available in 160 countries and |
| make the most of this trend. Industry analysts | | | | produced at four plants in fast-growing emerging |
| feel that A, B and midsize C cars would account | | | | countries including India, Thailand, China, and |
| for more than half of the global market by 2016. | | | | Mexico. Nissan plans to build a sedan and a |
| So, a plethora of new small and very small cars | | | | compact van on the same V (versatile) platform |
| are being expected at the upcoming Geneva | | | | as the Micra. |
| motor show. According to industry observers this | | | | Micra has a brand new engine and the fuel |
| inclination towards small cars is a result of the | | | | economy in expected to be constant for both |
| changing demography. With growing urbanisation, | | | | mature and emerging markets. According to |
| ageing populations in rich countries and demand | | | | Vincent Cobee, programme director for |
| from first-time buyers in emerging markets such | | | | Nissan’s V platform, “We think developing |
| a phenomenon is bound to happen. To add to this | | | | and developed markets tastes are quite similar. |
| is the need to cut down emissions. However, | | | | There has been a tendency to dump |
| manufacturing small cars is not really profitable for | | | | previous-generation, depreciated vehicles into |
| carmakers. | | | | emerging markets but we would not compete like |
| Upcoming small cars | | | | this." |
| Most major carmakers are expected to | | | | Others: |
| showcase compact car models at the Geneva | | | | The Geneva Motor Show is also expected to see |
| Motor Show and each company would have its | | | | the new version of Fiat’s 500 developed by |
| own set of answers to the small-car conundrum. | | | | its Abarth performance sub-brand and the Renault |
| Audi: | | | | Wind, a two-seat convertible just over 3.8 metres |
| Audi’s quirky A2 small car had received good | | | | long. |
| reviews in 2000 but the car’s lightweight | | | | Some other small carmakers like Ford |
| aluminum construction made it expensive to | | | | Motor’s Fiesta, Fiat’s 500, and |
| produce and the company halted production in | | | | Hyundai’s i10, are now offering standard and |
| 2005. But Audi’s new A1, the smallest car in | | | | optional features ranging from state-of-the-art |
| its range, would set a new benchmark for | | | | telematics to custom paint trim and parking |
| carmakers. Audi A1 is expected to be loaded with | | | | assistance. |
| luxury features like a navigation system with a | | | | Conclusion: |
| high-resolution display and interior trim. The | | | | The aim of the carmakers is to improve the small |
| expected price of Audi’s A1 would be around | | | | cars and the new breed of small cars rolling out is |
| €16,000 ($21,648) for the basic version and | | | | much better than the cheap, stripped-down, |
| about €25,000 for the top one. | | | | no-frills small cars that were often mockingly |
| Nissan: | | | | called “econoboxes". |
| Nissan is expected to showcase its all new Nissan | | | | |