This year, July will be a big time for the car industry. The preparations seem to have already begun with petrol prices down by Rs 2.46 per litre today. Two major launches are lined up in SUV segment. These are Renault Duster launch on July 4 and Mercedes Benz B Class launch sometime near to it in July. As per the buzz the sports tourer B Class car will be launched in the under Rs 25 lakh price band while the Duster price in India will be a big surprise for Indians and is expected to be priced somewhere near Rs 8 lakh.

Both these cars are going to create their own segment in the country. Where Duster will be creating a space under the present Tata Safari, Mahindra Scorpio and others and will be closely fighting with the dormant rival Premier Rio, the B Class will also be teaching India the basics of Sports Tourer. Post its launch in India, the other car makers are expected to pitch in their cars in the segment. It will be Audi and BMW that will be bringing in cars in this segment. Meanwhile, the market for Renault Duster is open to be explored single handedly provided the French car maker prices it well in the affordable range as it is telling all in the Renault Duster promotion campaign that it will be more affordable than a sedan.

The B Class Sports Tourer on the other hand is expected to be priced in the range of Rs 20 lakh to Rs 25 lakh. It is expected that the B Class will be powered by 1.6 L 122 PS petrol engine and 1.8 L 109 PS diesel engine options and a seven speed automatic or six speed manual gearbox options will also be there. The B Class will presently be a close rival of BMW X1 and Audi Q3.