India is definitely a small car market and that holds true even when it comes to premium small cars. Fiat introduced its Fiat 500 in the Indian market and has sold about 65 models in the country so far. Looking at Fiat’s performance, there was definitely scepticism in the market about takers of super-premium small car models in the country. However, the scepticism did not make Volkswagen defer its plans to launch VW Beetle in India. It introduced Beetle at Rs. 20.5 lakh and received an over-whelming response. Volkswagen has so far sold more than 240 Beetles in the Indian market. “Premium hatchbacks are the flavor of the season,” says a senior executive of Volkswagen India.

Apart from super-luxury small cars, premium hatchback models are also making auto makers go smiling all the way to the bank. Maruti Swift still remains to be one of the most successful premium hatchback models and Suzuki is already preparing a brand new Swift to be launched in the Indian market in 2011. The car will not only have better styled interiors and luxury but it will also sport flashy features like steering mounted audio controls, ac controls, etc. Swift continues to beat its sedan model SX4 that clocks around 1500 units per month.

Hyundai i20 clocks sales of more than 5000 units per month in India as compared to 1200 units of Hyundai Verna. Indian customers are definitely fancied by frills and features of premium hatchbacks that were only present in yester-year sedans and yet they offer the comfort of driving a small car on the Indian roads.

Courtesy: http://www.cartradeindia.com