hatchback need not be that ubiquitous entry-level car any more. When the Europe Car of the Year 2002 and Australia�s Best Small Car 2003, hit the Indian roads last September, observers didn�t give it much of a chance. Six months on, Hyundai Motor�s premium hatchback Getz has forced its detractors to think again.
The figures tell the story. In the very first month of its launch, Getz (Rs 4.5-4.8 lakh) sold 2,000-plus units. Since then it has knocked off 1,000-plus units every month (save December) - touching 1,166 units in February 2005. (Getz has already sold 8,252 units in India.) Compare this with its two big competitors in the category - Fiat Palio (Rs 3.8-4.4 lakh for its three variants) and Opel Corsa Sail (Rs 4.4-4.7 lakh for its two variants) that average between 100 and 200 units per month. While the first sold 127 units in February, the second just about 64 (according to market sources).
Though it is still a rare sight on the roads, Getz has won rave reviews and prestigious awards. Both Business Standard Motoring and CNBC-TV18 Autocar Auto Awards named Getz as the Car of the Year 2005.... more