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Thursday, 15 May 2008
Beware of Mumbai-Based Skoda Dealers
Beware of some of Skoda India's authorised dealers in Mumbai. One particular Skoda dealer in Mumbai was caught red-handed in stealing and swapping original spares of Skoda cars with fake spares. The theft is so rampant that the dealers even swap critical parts that endanger the lives of the passengers. Skoda India is aware of this, but is not taking any action against the dealer. Skoda owners and new car buyers beware of such dealers. If you have ever visited an authorised Skoda dealer in Mumbai and are having troubles with your car after this, please get it checked from some other dealer for fake spares, tampering, etc. Submitted By: Skoda Owner
Labels: Fake spares, Skoda cars
Microsoft Based Music System in Hyundai Cars
IT crazy and car freak people will love this news. Microsoft and Hyundai have recently entered in to agreement to develop the next generation in-car entertainment system. The in-car entertainment will be based on Microsoft auto software platform. It will be similar to mini portable computers and allows consumers to enjoy music in different digital formats. It will also allow the consumers to upgrade new function and innovate it according to their taste. The music system will be installed first in top end Hyundai cars in the US and later in Asian countries. But as all know that the time gap between the release in US and in India is narrowing down, car buyers could actually get their hands on it soon after it is released. It could actually personalise the music formats to every car. Hyundai want to attract young crowd with this new feature. Labels: Hyundai cars, music system in cars
Mahindra and Mahindra Hike Car Prices
After Maruti Sizuki and Honda, it is now the Mahindra and Mahindra to raise car prices. The prices of raw materials such as steel, aluminum, rubber have seen a sharp rise of 25-30 percent since January 2008. This has added pressure to the already squeezed car sector which has been witnessing decreased new car sales. Mahindra sources its materials from Indian vendors which were deeply hit. It will bring the new prices into effect from May 19. All the serious off-roads and potential Scorpio buyers who were planning to buy these cars can go for it now. Labels: hike in car's price, Mahindra and Mahindra
Renault-Nissan-Bajaj Trio Reached a Pact
We had heard lot about the Bajaj Lite and Renault’s small cars project. When the Bajaj-Renault agreement ran into rough weather, it seems that the car had gone into oblivion. Even the tri-party agreement between Renault, Nissan and Bajaj seemed to be headed nowhere. But now the sun shine on the ambitious small car project is back. Bajaj-Nissan and Renault have formed a joined venture to develop the low cost car. The car will cost Rs 1 lakh and is likely to hit the road in 2011. So far, the car is under development and so is the plant in Chennai where manufacturing of the car will take place. Renault-Nissan-Bajaj small car will soon be ready to compete Tata Nano. Labels: Renault-Nissan-Bajaj agreement, Small Car
The Next Generation Accord Arrives
Finally, the 8th generation Accord has arrived in India. The announcement was made on Tuesday by the officials of Honda Siel Cars. According to initial reports, the car will be available in three variants – Accord 2.4, Accord 2.4 Elegance and Accord 2.4 Inspire. The prices would start from Rs 16.49 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) and go up to Rs 18.14 lakh. The new accord is Rs 2 lakh costlier than its earlier versions, but it also comes packaged with latest interior and exterior features. Honda has tried to make the 8th generation car looks radically different from its predecessor. The new car comes with a lot of goodies like the new i-VTEC engine, advanced gearbox and hybrid fuel combination of ethanol and petrol. The fuel efficiency has also improved by 8 %. May be the car proves to be the best saloon to enter India before the Fiat Linea does later in this year. Labels: 8th generation Accord, New Car
Wednesday, 14 May 2008
BMC Fumes on Cars
The sudden flow of cars not only causes traffic jams but also slows down the movement in the roads. The Town planners in India blame cars for traffic congestion in the cities. The undisciplined driving habits along with traffic congestion resulted in complete chaos. The introduction of Maruti 800 in the 80’s and later by more up market cars by different car manufacturers had hardly made an impact on traffic. But since 2000 the car industry has been on an upswing, and it has not stopped so far. The town planners are not happy with the increasing numbers of cars. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has now proposed to impose tax on cars that run during peak hours. They envisage that such a tax would force people to use public transport. They are also looking at the traffic problems that low budget cars will create. The draft is still pending and is likely to be heard by the corporation this week. But if passed, it will be a blow to car users, who have just started enjoying its fruits. Similar laws could also be passed in other Indian cities. Labels: Tax on Cars, Traffic Jams
Tata’s Policy for Nano
The world’s cheapest small car, Tata Nano, created several emotions in several countries. While it was the cutie that all eyes at the Geneva Motor show in March followed, it created fear in North American countries of overtaking their domestic products. It braved a lot of criticism by environmentalists when it was unveiled in January 2008. Even though it is not yet launched, it continues to make news in several countries for various reasons. However, Tata Motors, in response to remarks stated that the Nano is not likely to touch the US market; Tata will only market the Nano in promising countries. Tata has always given priority to its Indian market before its African, Asian and European markets. We will have to wait and see if the same policy applies to the Nano. Labels: Policy for Nano, tata nano
The Ferrari Magic India Discovery Tour
The idea of owning a Ferrari is considered as the ultimate statement by many in India, even by those who do not own a car. People in India have got a glimpse of Ferrari only in F1 races. True Ferrari cars come with FI gearbox and superb power, but that is for those who can afford its fantastic price as well. There were rumours that the car will arrive in India by 2008, through its parent company Fiat. But the idea was shelved due to some reason. The company chose to get a first hand feedback on Indian terrain. Thus was born the Magic of Discovery of India. The Ferrari’s Magic Discovery of India has completed its course of over two months in India. The two 612 Scagliettis covered a total of 13,000 kilometers in over 70 days. Started in Feb last week it reached its last destination the Taj Hotel in Mumbai on May 8. Similar event were conducted in 2005 under the name China 15,000 Red Miles tour, the Panamerican 20,000 tour in 2006 and last year’s 60th anniversary around-the-world relay. The event was supported by Tata Motors, Tata Consultancy Services, Taj Hotels, Shell, Fiat India Pvt. Ltd., Alcoa, Pirelli, Saima Avandero and OMR. The cars have come back with lot of stories to tell. We hope that most of them are positive. Labels: Ferrari Magic India Discovery Tour, indian roads
Maruti Suzuki Pulls Car Sector Forward
It is commendable that Maruti Suzuki is leading the total car sales of India. It is the only company which keeps repeating its success year after year, while other big names continue with dismal performance. Maruti still comprises half of the cars sold in India. It has surpassed its April 2007 sales figure by 22.4 percent. However, the entry level sedan segment, upper mid-size segment and premium segment have all recorded a decline in sales. Its small cars Alto, Wagon R and the entry level sedan Swift Dzire have driven sales up for the car sector in India. Maruti continues to be the leader who leads from the front. It is due to the innovative vehicles, super networking and cheap cost that has increased car sale in India. If these options were not offered to the buyers, India would have been light years away from car consumerism that we witness today. Thanks to Maruti Suzuki, the country is now acknowledged as one of the biggest market in the world for cars. Labels: Car sales, Maruti Suzuki
Tuesday, 13 May 2008
Honda Reviews Annual Target
The sales performance of the company in the last fiscal year was not very good. Stalling production of 7th gen Accord is one of the factors. The company had stopped production in December. However, the company officials were aware of the rising graph of car ownership in India. But the market soon lost all charm and the auto sector showed a downward trend.
The fluctuating Indian car market has created thought lines on the foreheads of Honda officials. They now think that their earlier target of 90,000 units per year is not feasible. They are now set to review the earlier target and planning to replace it with new one. All of it is not very negative. The launch of new Accord has also created a positive effect on Honda sales. The reasonable price bracket of Rs 16 lakh to Rs 18 lakh, which is largely governed by SUV, will add good reason for Accord sale. Accord will be a breath of fresh air for Honda’s sales graph. Labels: honda accord, Indian car market
Fiat’s Interest in Indian automotive OEMs
Indian is already known as a hot destination for cheap OEM components. The car OEM component business is one of the fastest growing sectors in the country. The vendors here source not only to domestic brands but also to foreign made cars. The need for manufacturing the components is due to the fact that they are cheaper by 15 percent than other countries. Exports of auto components have increased by 25 to 3.6 billion in the last fiscal year. In order to take advantage of this, Fiat Group has planned to source 250 million euros from current 30 million euros, which is eight times more than its current buy. Fiat has formed a team of eight which will be increased to more than 50 persons in a few months, to sources vendors for OEM components. Fiat owns some of the best known brands Aston Martin and Ferrari. By sourcing products from India, Fiat plans to become more competitive in the market. Labels: Fiat Motors, Indian Automotive OEMs
Skoda Superb to Hit Indian Roads
The premium luxury sedan Skoda Superb will be available in a new avatar by the end of this year. The Indian version of Superb will be based on Volkswagen Passat platform. The Superb will be available in petrol and diesel version with a V6 engine. It will also come with a DSG gearbox with twin clutches. The car is likely to launch by the end of this year. The new model will cost Rs 20 lakh to Rs 22 lakh. Skoda should concentrate on giving the Indian models more European features without changing the prices. They could also introduce some features that will be helpful to Indian condition like improved safety features, precision steering and more performance to the existing engine. It should not look up on Indian car market as secondary to other market in the world. Skoda has fantastic market in India. And any sort of differentiate in the market from the rest of the world will be a blow to the Indian business. This is because Indian consumers are aware about the happenings in the world and can quickly make out the difference in services. Labels: Launch of new car in India, Skoda Superb
Nissan to Increase Dealerships
Nissan is seems to gear up for a war in the car market of India. It plans to sell at least 1 lakh cars by 2012 in India. Earlier, it has announced that it will be introducing eight cars over a period of four years. So far, Nissan had concentrated on the niche market with cars priced Rs 40 lakh like the Nissan X-Trail and Teana, and sold 533 units of them last year. Four of the eight cars will be produced at its Chennai plant. However, in order to promote and market its sales, it has appointed Hover Automotive Indian Private limited to create a sales network. The company plans to establish 55 dealerships within four years to increase its marketing base. With this move, the company will foray into cities other than Delhi and Mumbai, where it had concentrated so far. Nissan has been traditionally associated with extreme engineering and amazing designing. The small cities roads in Indian will now feature internationally designed cars. Labels: Indian Market, Nissan increases dealership
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