Pre-owned car industry to get a boom in India

What you say about used cars? How will it be if you buy a used Mitsubishi Lancer or a used Ford Icon and alter it with sporty designs? Will it look sporty if you put a nice spoiler on the rear of your car and cut short the ground clearance? Go Vroooom. The Indian youth needs more designs rather than the usual black or white or red. It’s time to get your dream cars in India’s used car market at an affordable price. The global auto majors are looking for potential buyers of their vehicles in India’s used car market.

India’s used car market has had a lone voyager in Maruti and its TrueValue program. Now, Honda’s Auto Terrace, Toyota You Trust brand, Hyundai’s Hyundai Advantage, and Ford’s Ford Assured used car programs have entered the Indian car market. Statistics say that the used-car market counts for one million units across India. This industry is expected to grow bigger faster than in past years.

Here is the current scenario of the pre-owned cars industry in India. Toyota’s You Trust venture is all set to roll out at leading dealerships across the country by October end 2007. Honda is ready with their new team trained to focus only on its used-car program called Auto Terrace. The company’s used-car program is currently running in a small way and is expected to be a success soon. Ford Assurance and Hyundai Advantage programs are also doing competitively well in the industry. Last, but definitely not the least, our car guru Maruti is at the top with more than 90,000 used cars units sold through its True Value network.
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Welcome the 2010 New Car from Nissan-Renault-Bajaj

Liked the news of coming 20 models in India for the year 2008? Maybe you’ve been following the filter of information flowing out of our portal about the coming 2009 models also. The world of automakers has booked the year 2009 as well. Let’s check the year 2010 now. We’re finally starting to list out some solid information on the 2010 year models.

Hooray, here’s the first one. The car majors Nissan and Renault, along with their local partner Bajaj Auto have confirmed the plan to launch a US $2500-car in India. Howz that??? We have seen Renault’s strong relationship with another local partner Mahindra. I think it’s from M&M that they learned the importance of working with local partners. Now it’s Bajaj to ride Nissan and Renault’s new car in India in 2010. The names of the cars are yet to be known.

The rumor is that the talks have been going on among them on the car from early 2007. The trios dream to manufacture a $2500 (1 Lakh) car felt possible in India. But they encountered major hurdles in exporting the vehicle to markets such as Europe, China, Brazil, Mexico, and United States. As India is turning to be a die-hard play ground of global automakers for small cars, the trios decided to fully concentrate on making the car for India and making it competitive.
Will catch up with you with more 2010 launches in India. Check out our Blogs and Articles section at Carazoo for auto news before it happens.
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Honda CR-V Releases New Variant

Your sporty Honda CR-V is on its way to introduce a new CR-V variant in India.

Honda is now learning that CR-V can rule the Indian SUV market if they launch a new affordable variant through systematic chipping from the existing model. Rumors say the soon-to-be launch smaller version will displace the 2.4 liter, 150 hp, engine with a 2.0 liter, 161 hp, engine. Honda quotes this new engine as the most popular engine option for the CR-V globally.

The reduction of power and performance will be marginal in the new version but the fuel economy will improve. The transmission is expected to be manual. These reductions will allow Honda to bring down the price of its Base variant by Rs. 40,000. The current CR-V has a price tag between Rs. 17.9 and 18.6 Lakh, while the new variant is likely to get priced between Rs. 17.5 – 19 lakh. It’s obvious we expect a tough competition between Honda CR-V and all the new SUVs that will flock to the Indian car market in 2008.

Expect the new CR-V to be in dealerships by the end of this year.
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Renault happy to ride with Mahindra

Wide body is the proud Mahindra-Renault Logan’s trademark and slogan. After its successful market launch of Logan in India, Renault found Mahindra as a perfect partner to sell more models. Sometimes it’s more interesting to hear that Indian automakers can bring more output for foreign automakers like Renault. As a response to its success Renault recently announced that it will stick to its agreement with M&M during for the entire duration of its expansion in India.

Renault’s continuing quest to completely dominate the Indian market will see the launch of second generation car models from Mahindra-Renault like Kangoo, Megane, Lagune, and Clio in the 2008 model year in India.

Logan is currently posting record profits month over month. Watch out the upcoming models from Renault you can see a Mahindra-Renault signature on the rear.
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Hyundai finally set date to launch code named vehicle “PA”

Our prediction that Hyundai PA will be unveiled before Diwali has come true. Finally, the Korean auto major has decided to launch the codenamed car on 1st of November. PA’s true name is i10.

i10 is designed to bridge the gap between the Getz Prime and Santro Xing. Now, we have varieties to choose from. i10 is expected to take Hyundai sales statistics to even greater heights. Indians being compact car lovers, the company has chosen a right place for its launch. i10 is expected to be priced between 3.5-4 Lakh – definitely a worry for other competitors.

Yet to be launched, i10 comes with a feather in its cap. This is a first compact car to come with a sunroof. Apart from all other striking features, this is one of the most arresting features that show-off luxury for a really small amount.

The car is said to wear clothes of ten different colours. Diwali is around the corner and if you have been waiting for the right car all this time, then i10 might just be your answer.
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Tata Indigo Marina gets two more variants

Tata extends the variant list of Indigo Marina by adding two more variants – GSX III and SX III. GSX is a petrol version and SX is a diesel version. GSX is priced at 5, 80,645 Lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) and SX is priced 6, 32,134 Lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). With the addition of two more variants, Indigo Marina swanks of seven variants altogether.

Both the variants get a host of luxury, safety, and convenient features that include height adjustable driver’s seat, rear center armrest, VCD player MP3 with headrest mounted LCD screens, power windows, audio warning for key in-door open and key out-door open and headlamps on, rear defogger, and double foldable rear seats. The rack and pinion steering wheel with collapsible steering column is standard.

The engine is coupled to a 5-speed manual transmission. The diesel engines can deliver 69 hp of power and the petrol engines give-out 85 hp. With the festival of lights fast approaching, the company has added new variants at the right time.
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Plug-into Green Toyota Prius soon in India

There is no denying that the most successful hybrid car in the world is Toyota’s lucky number hybrid Prius. Toyota Prius have given Toyota a wonderful environmentally-friendly image. In the global market, Toyota is openly supportive for any “green” legislature. Rumors had indicated that Toyota Prius will soon be arriving India. Recently Toyota has confirmed that it could be the Prius Hybrid that the Japanese giant is thinking of releasing in India.

The Toyota Prius is the best selling hybrid in the U.S. This Japanese automaker has already been committed to hybrid vehicles and its consistency has swept it to the top in the long list of auto manufacturers. Many brands have started to offer hybrid versions of vehicles with high fuel efficiency. It is hybrids that are the top choice over other types of fuel-efficient vehicles – thanks to Toyota.

I had already done quite a bit of research on Prius and found high-end features like the CVT (continuously variable transmission) and the Hybrid Synergy Drive technology. So if you love green, the environment or your pocket, and are in India then hold your breath for a greener tomorrow! Prius will be sold with a sticker price of US $20,000, or nearly Rs. 8-Lakh – this is as good as it gets!
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New Skoda Laura Ambiente for Indian Market

Skoda is considered as one of the luxury car brands in India. After all, with their price tags, it is difficult for a common man to get behind the wheels of a Skoda. Here’s today’s big story: Skoda has just announced a new variant called Ambiente for its Laura series. The unveiling took place last Wednesday in Mumbai.

The car, which looks very similar to the existing Laura variants, offers more standard safety features. Buyers now have other reasons to buy the new Ambiente besides the superior features. The most fascinating thing about the new Ambiente is the truly affordable price. Your Skoda Laura is now available at a 13 Lakh ex-showroom price tag. Sign up for the new 13-Lakh Ambiente to receive special safety features like two airbags, a traction control system, Rear parking sensors with Parktronic display, and automatic wipers with rain sensors.

Ambiente has started garnering much media attention. If you are planning to get an economically savvy luxurious car, Ambiente is the car for you.
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Alfa Romeo will soon challenge Audi, Merc, and BMW in India

There has been considerable debate over the last few years regarding the best high-end sport-luxury brand car available in India. It was widely thought that the big three brand competitors are BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi. Now, I’d like to take a moment to welcome our new competitor, an all new sport-luxury brand from the Italian carmaker Fiat.

Here’s the name you’ve been waiting for: the Alfa Romeo 159. In the 2008 Auto Expo, which is going to be happening very shortly, Fiat is going to announce the debut of Alfa Romeo and the date to import it to India in the first half of 2008. Current information suggests that the Alfa Romeo will be available at selected Fiat dealers in India. Well, from what I understand, Alfa’s engine transplants will add either a 2.2 liter engine or a 3.2 liter V-6 engine that will make a very hearty 260 to 730 horsepower respectively. Fiat has confirmed that the entry prize of Alfa will be 28 Lakh.

Let’s gaze at the history of Alfa. Alfa was the first car that introduced the trend for twin spark plugs in the 1960s. The Alfa 156, launched in 1997, was the first car that was powered by a common-rail diesel engine. All this and the car is still competitively prized. As far as we know it’s the cars endure in Indian road conditions and the company service back-up that will eventually decide the success of the new ‘Romeo’ in India.
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Hyundai to debut a new D-segment sedan in 2 years

Hyundai stands for cars with clever technology and affordable prices. As the brand continues to liquidate some of its sporty assets from its mid-premium sedan Elantra, inside sources reveal that it is planning to introduce a series of new vehicles of which PA is just a start. The latest news is Hyundai’s new plan to debut a big luxury sedan for India in 2 years.

Current information suggests that the brand is currently working on around four brand new vehicles. The upcoming models from Hyundai are PA, Santa Fe, i-30, and the new premium sedan D-segment. Hyundai is getting ready to shake up the new global sedan model developed and produced in India. Though the model name is yet to be announced, the company has confirmed that the proposed D-segment car, will hit the market in a “couple of years”. The yet to be named vehicle is said to be under development with a highly competitive prize.

A couple of questions are still in the air, such as the car will be mated with which type engine? What will be the performance? The new model will compete with which models? Well, we’ll have to wait for further announcements from Hyundai, but the wait may not be long!
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