Cars To Be Launched in 2008

Here's a preview of what to expect on the Indian roads in 2008 - a few of the to-be-launched cars, which you may have a glimpse of at the Auto Expo '08 at New Delhi.

New Delhi: Starting off the year with the Auto Expo 2008 in January at New Delhi, the year promises to be a highly 'automotive' one, with the rubber set to meet the road, after being outfitted on almost 60 new models.

From the frugal to the almost – unaffordable, an entire range of four wheels from hatchbacks to green-tech hybrids to the adrenalin-pumping super premium luxury models, India is going to see action in its automotive sector like never before.

So, just what is going to be launched this year?

For a somewhat exhaustive list, see below.

• Small car: Suzuki Splash, Suzuki A-Star concept, Tata's 1-lakh car.
• Premium hatchbacks: Skoda Fabia, Fiat Grande Punto, Hyundai i20, Mahindra Renault Sandero, Fiat Bravo, Honda Jazz, Toyota's hatchback Yaris.
• Sedans: Volkswagen (VW) Jetta, Fiat Linea, Suzuki Swift sedan (replacing the Esteem), Mistubishi Lancer Gallant, Hyundai i30, Honda's 'new' City, Tata's compact sedan that is reported to be smaller than its Indigo, and a new Toyota Corolla.
• SUVs and 4x4: Mitsubishi Outlander, GM Captiva, Hyundai Santa Fe, BMW X6
  Super luxury: The all new C-Class from Daimler Benz, the BMW M5, the BMW M6, Alfa Romeo 159, the Ferrari, Volvo C70 Convertible.
• Multi-utility vehicles (MUV's): M&M's Ingenio, Tata Motors' next generation Sumo, Tata's new pick-up truck Xenon.
• Upgraded / facelifts: Hyundai Santro, Tata Indica, Toyota Innova, some of which will be in alternative fuel versions such as CNG/LPG.
• Hybrids: Honda Civic, Tata Indica, M&M's Scorpio SUV.

Crazy about wheels! Can’t stay without speed? Well, be careful. A small mistake can cause you a serious injury or can snatch your life.

Car accidents are one of the most common sources of personal injury.
Contrary to popular belief, most car accidents occur within five kilometres of home, not while people are traveling on vacations.

Male drivers cause twice as many accidents as female drivers, a recent survey has found.
And the bigger the car’s engine, the greater the chance of cars accidents.

Sports cars and hatchbacks were found to be at highest risk.

There are situations where someone may intentionally crash into your car. Even though the damage to your car may be small, the dishonest driver of the other car is looking to cash in on a big insurance payoff. That driver may make claims against your car insurance company for fake serious injuries.

If you just had a car accident:

Stay at the scene of the accident until police have come and gone, making sure you have the name of the officer(s) and that they have your version of what happened. Do not assume a police report will "take you off the hook" or even that one will be generated in the event of a minor accident ("minor" may mean no one is injured even though your car suffers a direct hit).