Indian auto industry
Owning a car is like a dream come true. Upward mobility is also denoted by the brand of car possessed. Those possessing two wheelers aspire to graduate to four wheelers. Moreover as one's family grows one needs a bigger and safer vehicle to ferry children from school, to travel as well as to commute to work in cities with basic public transport.
Points to remember before buying a car. A person buying a car for the first time will consider a variety of factors before making the final selection on the model of the car. Affordability is the decisive factor when buying a car
Size of family- A car must be comfortable for a minimum of four adults and a child. Additionally there must be space in the boot for a few luggage pieces that may accompany the family on short trips.
Safety- This is a major factor if a person is commuting long distance or if the car is used for children. The car must be safe and sturdy and made of good alloy that can offer ample protection in case of an accident. There must be a provision for seat belts, childproof locks and air bags, collapsible steering and side impact beams.
Economy- The mileage of the car is important for the budget conscious consumer. Budget- Generally the purchase of a car depends upon affordability. They may settle for a lesser model or a better model with additional features depending on their requirements and finances. They may go for car finance in case the selected model overshoots the budget. One must always negotiate with the dealer since they do have a little flexibility in reducing the price or giving some free accessories along with the car.
Features- People usually want to buy the best model that comes factory fitted with all standard accessories and safety features. They will prefer a music system, plush upholstery, central locking, steering lock, and air conditioner besides an odometer and mileage settings.
Finally buying the dream car
One must first conduct a thorough research for the best model based on the above parameters. This can be done by reading auto magazine reviews, consulting friends who have a similar car or by reading on the Internet.
When the model has been decided upon, decision where to purchase the car must be taken. Decision is based on future requirements for repair and servicing of car in close proximity. People may be tempted to buy from a dealer offering discounts or freebies. Issues related to tax and registration may influence a decision of this sort. When the dealer has been finalized the car must be taken for a test drive. This must be done on the road to get and idea of the speed, engine capacity, and controls of the car as well as ease of parking. Unless test driven, an idea of mileage, space inside the car, a feel of the gear system and maneuverability cannot be determined.
Car financing
Cash down payment must be done while purchasing a car, rest of the financing is done by a bank or a financial institution in the form of a car loan. Usually car financiers and banks give loans of up to 90% of the value of the vehicle which is payable in equal monthly installments of two to five years at a fixed or floating rate. For a small fee loans can be prepaid. Fast track document processing ensures a quick loan disbursal. To negotiate and compare interest rates before opting for a car loans financier is important. Once the loan is sanctioned the car is hypothecated to the bank and one must give copies of the registration certificate, tax and insurance policy to the bank for the record. The bank issues a No objection Certificate once the loan is paid and the lien is cancelled. NOC is then forwarded to the insurance company and the RTO for their records updating.
Various models of small cars
There a number of models to choose from the small car india auto industry. Here is a short list of existing small cars and expected future launches in the coming year.
Maruti 800- has a 796cc petrol engine and fuel efficient - up to 17 km /liter. It has four varieties in different colors.
Maruti-Zen- This has a 993cc petrol engine, and is available in six colors. Maruti Zen has front and rear seat belts with child proof locks. Maruti Zen has a diesel version also.
Maruti Wagon R- This has good fuel consumption of 13km /liter but falters in the looks department. Wagon R has airbags and ABS (optional). It has a 1061cc petrol engine, and comes in four variants and six colors to choose from.
Maruti Alto - This is a new look version of the Maruti 800 with a 796cc petrol engine, is a good fuel-efficient car available in six variants.
Maruti Swift - has a 1298cc petrol engine and good styling, additional safety feature of air bags. Maruti Swift runs at 13 km /liter. india auto industry has been a huge success.
Tata Indica - has a 1405cc petrol engine, and diesel and CNG variants. Good for Indian roads and also very roomy interiors.
Hyundai Getz - has a 1341 petrol engine but is steeply priced for this segment.
It is not fuel efficient. It comes in nine colors with side impact beams for extra stability in case of collision.
Hyundai Santro - has a 1086cc petrol engine variants in many colors. Hyundai Santro has safety features like childproof locking system and collapsible steering wheel.
Opel Corsa Sail - This car from General Motors has a 1389cc engine and was a late launch in this category. Old fashioned car and not fuel efficient. Aveo from General Motors will create ripples in the small car segment in 2006.
Well before zeroing in on a perfect vehicle choose wisely to invest well in the small car and purchase a model that best fits one's requirements of india auto industry.
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