2008 will be a great year for all automobile enthusiasts and auto companies. Not only would we see a revolution in the form of hybrid cars, we will also get to see newer sleeker designs that are going to re-define the way people have driven cars. The Indian automobile market is definitely looking forward to the various hybrid vehicles that are scheduled to be launched in 2008. Read on to know more about what is in store for you in India and in the global market.
Mahindra & Mahindra
The first one in line is Mahindra & Mahindra, the utility vehicle manufacturer. They are currently test-driving mild-hybrid variant and full-hybrid variant of their best seller Scorpio. It will be launched early next year and the price will be more than the petrol and diesel variants. The full hybrid version will run on electricity and would have a back-up petrol engine. The mild hybrid version will have an option of being shut off when the car is stopped. It will be programmed to restart quickly and cleanly. When the engine is off, the other accessories will operate on electrical power.
Honda and Ford
Next in line is Honda, which has decided to launch Honda Siel, its hybrid car. They will be essentially launching Honda Civic in a hybrid avatar next year. It has been decided that this version can be run on a combination of electricity and petrol. Ford is also having plans to launch its hybrid vehicle next year, though there is not much information on it. Ford is currently monitoring the Indian automobile market before launching its hybrid vehicle.
Toyota
Prius, the most popular hybrid car of Toyota is also in the pipeline of being in India. Prius is the iconic image of Toyota and has catapulted the image of the company to the top slot. Prius commands almost 80% of the markets of US when it comes to hybrid vehicles. For the Prius to come in India, the government needs to provide subsidies to the hybrid vehicle owners.
Superior Technology
The best thing about hybrid vehicles is that they run mainly on electricity and have a back-up or an alternate fuel engine. This could be diesel, petrol or even bio-fuel. The person who drives will have an option of either using electricity or the fuel engine or switch from one to another easily. This means that these hybrid vehicles help save fuel emissions as the power is generated by an electric motor. The alternate use helps in saving fuel also, allowing it to be used in emergency cases.
Future in India
For the launch of other good hybrid vehicles and luxury cars to come in India, the government needs to reduce the excise and custom taxes and duties. The infrastructure also needs to be improved with more CNG/LPG filling stations, electric charging stations, etc. With better infrastructure and facilities to run hybrid vehicles, there is not reason why India should not have supremacy of environment-friendly hybrid vehicles.
