Indian Car Blog – Carazoo.com

India’s Maruti Udyog plan to become Maruti Suzuki

Indian auto major “Maruti Udyog Limited” is setting-up to change the name to “Maruti Suzuki India”. If the changed name “Maruti Suzuki India” is approved by all the share-holders, our Maruti cars will be instead called Maruti-Suzuki cars. Addition of Suzuki to Maruti will definitely highlight the Japanese technology that has gone into the making of Indian cars.

Suzuki, a Japanese auto-company, is renowned for manufacturing performance-oriented small cars. If the new name is accepted, Maruti is still going to remain the major share-holding partner and Suzuki will have the advantage of marketing itself as a global player. This name is said to help the company’s expansion throughout the world. The company is also trying to establish Suzuki’s Research & Development center in Asia for Asia.

Maruti lately sited itself as a major car maker with models like Grand Vitara, Swift, and SX4.

posted by admin @ Monday, July 30th, 2007 3 Comments » links to this post

Add New Post

July 30, 2007

Magic & Winger from Tata hit the Indian road

Introducing a major initiative that offers transportation solution in India, TATA Motors announced the launch of a new product range – the Magic and the Winger. The two vehicles will create new segments of 4-wheel commercial carrier and public transportation in India.

The Magic is developed on the podium of the successful sub-1 tone commercial carrier, the Ace. It is occupied with an ergonomically designed all-steel cabin, four to seven seating capacity, spacious interiors, and abundant legroom. The water-cooled 700cc diesel engine of Magic is powered by a 16 horsepower engine that offers high fuel efficiency and very low maintenance. The tires are 12 inches with high ground clearance. Segmented under the BS-III emission norm the Magic range starts at Rs. 2.60 lakhs.

The Winger is a maxi-van and offers a blend of the comfort of a car with the spaciousness of a bus for intra-city and long-distance transportation needs. The Winger has a 9 to 13 seating capacity with generous saloon space, spacious head and legroom, and wide luggage space. Meeting BS-III emission norms Winger comes in 11 variants, in three levels of comfort — standard, deluxe, and luxury. The Winger is powered by a 2-litre turbo charged diesel engine and the range starts at Rs.4.70 lakh

By the launch of these new segments, Tata Motors’ bus focus is expected to receive a boost in the coming scenario. These new buses from Tata will be from an international portfolio, the Globus and the Starbus.

posted by admin @ Monday, July 30th, 2007 Comments Off links to this post

Add New Post

July 25, 2007

Confusions Galore

With over 50 new models (each with at least 2 variants) being launched this year in India most directly competing in existing but highly “segmented” market for cars, the options available to the Car buyers are huge! Throw in existing over 80 models, over 300 variants available, even the strongest will quake at his/her knees with/without the help of car reviews.

Although, the Car buyer never had so many options to make his dream come true, which car to buy is truly a staggering dilemma! Confusions Truly Galore!!

posted by admin @ Wednesday, July 25th, 2007 1 Comment » links to this post

Add New Post

July 25, 2007

The Juicy Jaguar and Land Rover Bid

Many companies have shown interest in buying the Jaguar and Land Rover brands from the Ford Motor Company. Private Equity firms in the US, such as Cerberus, which recently acquired Chrysler from Daimler, is one of the bidders in this race. One Equity and Ripplewood Holdings are other such private firms showing interest.

The surprise in this fray, for India, has been the interest shown by two of its top automobile companies – Tata and Mahindra&Mahindra. Tata Motors recently acquired an Anglo-Dutch steel company and is definitely one of the strong bidders for these Ford offerings. The proverbial Ford shortlist seems to have included both these firms as possible future owners of the Jaguar and Land Rover brand.

Every party concerned is being very tight-lipped about their various interactions and roles in the proceedings. One thing is for sure – the next time someone wants to buy a Jaguar or Land Rover, it could be from an Indian car manufacturer. What a leap for the Indian automobile sector!

posted by admin @ Wednesday, July 25th, 2007 Comments Off links to this post

Add New Post

July 23, 2007

Tata – Indian automotive company aims high

Indian automotive firms are in fact getting lofty. India’s major auto company, Tata Motors, is aiming at Land Rover and Jaguar, which are a division of Ford Motors. If Tata’s flourish in this proposal, it would emerge as India’s largest firm to take-over foreign deals.

Ford Motors is planning to give-away Jaguar and Land Rover, for which the country’s biggest automobile manufacturer (Tata) is directing its consultants to evaluate the virtues of a joint venture. Regarding this deal Tata’s have turned tight-lipped. The Telegraph said, “Tata Motors’ evaluation of a bid was at an ‘exploratory’ stage and may not lead to a formal bid for the two brands”.

Earlier this year Tata Steel also bought Anglo-Dutch steel company Corus, which obviously widened its business. Though the other major companies are involved in this rat-race it is almost certain that in future Tata Motors will be parenting Ford’s children.

posted by admin @ Monday, July 23rd, 2007 Comments Off links to this post

Add New Post

July 23, 2007

Car tyres that suit India and Indian cars

All-season tyres, as the name suggests, are capable of slogging in all climatic conditions. These tyres are designed and made out of sustainable materials so that they can be used all-through the year. All-season tyre designs are complex compared to those of summer tyres because of the longer block-edge for frost handling and more sipes to enable efficient braking and driving-control by maximizing the outcome of the rim. These tyres offer good traction for varying road conditions without much tread wear-out and tyre noise.

Performance tyres are those tyres on which we can see the markings “H”, “S”, and “Z”. These markings suggest that the tyres stay together up-to the speed of 130mph, 112mph, and 149 mph respectively. Compared to ordinary tyres these tyres execute really well. They are safe, have good traction, respond faster, and turn better. These tyres synchronize well with advanced technologies like an anti-lock braking system (ABS) and sensitive steering. Performance tyres feature a firm side-wall and a nylon cap over steel belts to ensure safety during high speeds. These tyres are relatively safe and stop well during sudden braking.

posted by admin @ Monday, July 23rd, 2007 Comments Off links to this post

Add New Post

July 19, 2007

The Ambassador’s fall in India

These days, our streets are full of imported cars, luxury sedans, and big vehicles laden with more advanced technologies, which paralyzed the market for the grand old ambassador. The youth drive the car market and the Ambassador does not even make it into the list of choices.

“Amby” is a four door sedan that was manufactured during late fifties. Tough body, magnificent grille, and protruding headlights were the main features of the once popular Ambassador. It also posed as an official vehicle in all government departments. But, lately, after India experienced a booming market for luxury cars, this old classic car has received less attention.

All the government officials prefer commuting in cars like Corolla, Lancer, and Benz, bringing down the Ambassador from its notable state. This Hindustan Motors child dominated the roads for a few decades and is quietly fading away.

With cozy cars overloaded with highly developed engines and other advanced technologies ruling the market, there is absolutely no scope for the Ambassador’s comeback.

Though the Ambassador has succeeded on Indian roads for decades and is still seen in abundance in the form of Taxis (visit Calcutta), it is making a slow but progressively steady exit from Indian roads.

posted by admin @ Thursday, July 19th, 2007 Comments Off links to this post

Add New Post

July 19, 2007

Ford Fusion-diesel in India

As petrol prices are reaching the skies it is the diesel vehicles that are ruling the roost. There was a time when diesel vehicles were considered to be low performers. Thanks to technology; with new inventions diesel vehicles are made to perform on par with petrol vehicles. Ford India recently launched the diesel version of hatchback Fusion, which is all-set to fight nose-to-nose with other lately introduced diesel cars.

Arvind Mattew, president of Ford India was quoted saying, “Strengthening our diesel platform is a key strategy for us and we are hopeful that with the launch of the diesel variant of Fusion we will be able to attract more customers”.

This hatchback has only one variant and costs rupees 6, 59,000/- (ex-showroom Delhi). Prices may vary according to various cities and as time goes by. It is made available in six flashy colors that will appeal to everybody. Fusion diesel is equipped with a 1.4 liter Duratorq turbo diesel common rail injection (TDCi) engine, which delivers great power.

Generous space and well festooned interiors make it an ideal family car to move around with high josh. Ford Fusion diesel gives good mileage. The rear seats fold completely and hold as-much cargo as a van.

The steering wheel is very flexible and mounted with basic audio-control buttons to make it easier for the driver to operate while driving. This light-weight giant is easy to drive and parking is not a problem. It is also decked with a plethora of safety features to minimize the severity of an accident.

posted by admin @ Thursday, July 19th, 2007 Comments Off links to this post

Add New Post

July 16, 2007

Importance of tinted windows

Few years back a tinted window was a fashion. Then, it was an optional gizmo, which was expanding fashion vistas. But, now the time has changed. Tinted windows come standard with almost all the recently launched and launching cars.

These windows have now become protective shields. It protects the occupants of the car from the harmful UV rays. Tinted windows, to a certain extent, minimize the temperature. If your car is adorned with leather interiors then tinted glasses are mandatory. Intense sun’s rays will lighten your car’s interior and also makes it look dull.

Apart from these things it increases the elegant looks of the car and gives more privacy to the occupants. It adds charm and appeal to the car’s looks. So why compromise?

posted by admin @ Monday, July 16th, 2007 Comments Off links to this post

Add New Post

July 16, 2007

Music to the rescue in Indian traffic!

It is a music system, which comes to your rescue, if you are stuck for an hour in an Indian road jam. A good audio system definitely reduces boredom in the humdrum of everyday traffic. There are plenty of companies, which manufacture quality audio systems. Though most of the cars come with an inbuilt audio system, the system can also be replaced with your favorite brands.

Some of the popular audio brands include Mach 460, Maxi sound, Nakamichi, Infinity system, Rockford-Fosgate, JVC, and Bose.

A car audio system mainly consists of three components- head units, amplifiers, and speakers. The head system is the major processing part in a system. It works more like a human brain, giving commands about what to do and what not to do. An amplifier, as the name suggests, increases the signals to make it louder. The speakers are the main components of an audio set, which must be properly installed and strategically placed to enjoy the best results. Frequency retort of the speakers should be higher and wider for enhanced and efficient sound capturing. While buying an audio system, it is better to go for a factory-fitted car audio system, which comes with a warranty card.

An audio system makes no difference when you resell your car. Therefore, think of it as a one-time investment with no monetary returns, but something that makes driving seem much more pleasurable especially on Indian roads.