Carmakers Launch New Models and Facelifts Across India for Festive Season Demand

Indian carmakers are rolling out a wave of new vehicle launches and updates to tap into strong buyer demand during the festive season, which stretches from Onam in late August to Diwali in November. Tata Motors has introduced the Aeris compact sedan, based on the Tigor, to compete with the Maruti Suzuki Dzire and Honda Amaze, with deliveries starting later this month. Hyundai is preparing to release the Bayon SUV to sit between the Venue and Creta, with a price announcement set for October 10 and deliveries around Dusshera. Toyota plans to update the Innova Hycross and refresh the Glanza, while Maruti Suzuki has already updated the Baleno and will soon launch a refreshed Wagon R. In the luxury space, Mercedes-Benz is bringing an updated Maybach S-Class to India and opening bookings for the new GLC EV. Volvo has set October 12 for the Indian launch of its EX90 and ES90 electric vehicles. Recent market arrivals already include the JSW MG Motor India Tomahawk SUV with electric and hybrid options, Maruti Suzuki CNG-automatic variants for the Dzire, Swift, and Baleno, and the Kia Sorento flagship SUV. BMW has also launched the i5 LWB alongside updates to the i7 and 7 Series sedans. Later this year, JSW Motors plans to enter the passenger vehicle market with a localized SUV called the Combat, based on China's Jetour T2. Srikumar Krishnamurthy, Senior Vice President and Co-Group Head of Corporate Ratings at ICRA Limited, noted that while festive demand is boosted by buyer sentiment, salary raises, and easy financing, it could also face challenges from high sales bases last year, price hikes, and delayed monsoons affecting rural incomes.