These days, we see new cars getting launched in the Indian market almost every other day. However, that does not really affect the sales of the proven models. The Indian consumer is usually goes for the tried and tested models. No wonder, these days car makers come up with face lifted versions of their old cars or the same old cars are given an engine upgrade to perform even better. Here, in this article, you will find the top 5 best selling old cars in the India market.
Maruti Suzuki 800
When the new emission norms stepped into India on the 1st of April, 2010, the M800 had to move out. The car was phased out of 13 major cities which required new cars to carry only engines that were compliant with the BS IV emission norms. The Maruti Suzuki 800 is one car that Indians are very dearly attached to. Its 796cc 3-cylinder engine delivers 37 bhp at 5000 rpm and a maximum torque of 59 Nm at 2500 rpm. It certainly looks like Indians will not let the country's iconic car disappear.
However, it may be the easy driving qualities, the excellent fuel economy of around 16 kmpl and its aggressive pricing starting at Rs. 1,92,935 (ex-showroom, New Delhi) that attracts India towards the car. The car launched in 1983 has already sold over 25 Lakh units in India and still sells like hot cakes. It is one of the best cars for those looking to advance from a two-wheeler to a new car.
Maruti Suzuki Alto
Launched in India in September 2000, the Maruti Suzuki Alto is currently the country's best selling model. The model has been selling so well in the country that the car maker recently launched a new sibling of the car, the new Alto K10 which comes with a 1000 cc K-Series engine. The earlier 796cc 3-cylinder engine is capable of churning out 46 bhp and a maximum torque of 62 Nm on the Indian roads while the new Alto K10 spews out 67 bhp at 6200 rpm and peak torque of 90 Nm at 3500 rpm.
A strong reason for sales of the Maruti Alto in India can be attributed to its competitive price tag of Rs. 2,30,845 (ex-showroom). The new Alto, the Alto K 10 comes with a slightly heavier price tag starting at Rs. 3,03,000.
Hyundai Santro
The sales of the Hyundai i10 go up and down every now and then, but that's not the case of the tried and tested Hyundai Santro. The Hyundai Santro has an experience of twelve years on the roads in India and with experience come sales. Around 7,000 units of this car get sold almost every month.
In 2009, the Santro had suffered a minor facelift with very few changes in its interiors (new beige interiors) and a new grille. Since then, no changes have been made and will not be made in the near future. In India, the car comes with a killer price tag which starts at just Rs. 2,74,186.
Tata Indica
The Tata Indica, rolled out in 1988, is nearly as old as the Hyundai Santro and also sells as well as the Santro. Back in 1988, not many Indians appreciated the idea of having a Tata Indica car in their porch. Tata Motors sensed this and launched the upgraded version of the then new car, the Indica V2, in 2001. Sales magically went up and have been growing with time.
The next major change brought in the Indica V2 Xeta in the year 2006. Surprisingly, the car has been receiving minor upgrades almost every other year and the changes do seem to be working fine for Tata Motors. The sales figures stay as proof. The Indica is also popular as a taxi in India. The car's ex-showroom price starts at Rs. 3,55,729.
Ford Ikon
In the beginning, the Ford Ikon was available in India with just the 1.3 Rocam petrol motor. However, a little later, after the auto major realized that car buyers in India had accepted the model well, it launched the Ford Ikon with a 1.4 Duratorq TDCi diesel motor which has been doing really great today.
Currently the car is available in India in four versions: 1.3 Rocam, 1.4 Dura Torq TDCi, iKool Petrol and iKool Diesel. The diesel variant of the Ikon returns an impressive mileage of over 17 kmpl. The car's ex-showroom pricing starts at Rs. 4,90,000(petrol variant) and Rs. 5,49,500 (diesel variant).