Over 20 cars in India on bench for launch in the year 2008

Indian metros are overflowing with vehicles from various Indian and Foreign manufacturers. However, the demand for more and better choices is not yet satiated. Major car manufacturers are launching more and more cars to attain the top position in this jungle of automotives. As newer cars release, people expectations also rise.

Price and mileage are two important aspects that the majority of Indian’s focus on. However, no one like to compromise on quality either. Almost all the manufacturers are trying to meet these expectations. Tata is first in line with its One-Lakh People’s Car. Other manufacturers like Maruti Suzuki, Chevrolet, Hyundai, and Honda are all getting ready to launch passenger cars as early as next year, so that they can stay alive in the competition.

India is emerging as one of the most exuberant marketing hubs for cars of all sorts. Manufacturers have come to realize that the smart buyer is measuring all choices and therefore the more choices one manufacturer provides, the better the chances of that manufacturer surviving in this jungle. GM’s recent foothold in India has made a positive impact and the manufacturer is keen on turning India as one of its marketing centers.

This sudden frenzy to capture the Indian market will see the launch of over 20 new cars early next year. It is a real dilemma for customers who had planned for a car by the end of the year. With most of the cars set to be launched in a few months, it is difficult to decide whether we should wait for the new launches or buy something which is already in the market.

As far as my opinion goes, I would definitely wait! The more the cars in the market, the better the deals I get. For all I know, I could even decide to go for a model that already exists, but due to market competition, it will cost me much lesser then than it will now. Why settle for a prawn when you can get a seafood platter for the same price?!!
    SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend     Add to Technorati Favorites                 Add New Post

Maruti Zen – a favorite in Sri Lanka

Maruti is not only famous in India it is also very popular in the island country Sri Lanka. Maruti-Suzuki Zen has raced ahead of all other auto majors in Sri Lanka to secure the top position in Sri Lanka’s auto industry.

The only Maruti dealer in the country, Associated Motorways, has placed huge orders to meet the great demand of the people. Though Sri Lanka takes a back seat in the auto market, its market has seen wonders when it comes to the sales of the new Zen version. It is because of its performance, style, and agility. Sri Lankans, according to the treaty signed by the Indian and Sri Lankan government, are saved from heavy taxes for the cars imported from India.

Now, that Zen has secured its place in Sri Lanka, Maruti-Suzuki is aiming at other Asian countries. There is no doubt, our Maruti is going global.
    SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend     Add to Technorati Favorites                 Add New Post

Honda willing to carry-on hybrid sales in India

Honda Motors are holding serious talks with the Indian government to establish rules for hybrid vehicles to be sold in India. Honda is interested in gasoline-electric hybrid cars that meet great expectations of mileage.

India is currently one of major auto markets, but it has no definite set of rules and regulations when it comes to hybrid vehicles. If the Indian authorities give the green signal, Honda will introduce its Civic hybrid, which is selling like hot-cakes in North America, Europe, and Japan. Once the talks are over, Honda will decide on when to launch hybrid cars in India.

Because Indians are most concerned about the price and fuel economy, hybrid cars will be an answer to all our prayers and I bet the environment will be pretty happy too! Hybrid cars give 80% better mileage, without compromising on performance, compared to conventional gasoline cars. Emission is also comparatively low.

Subsidies for hybrid cars are a must as they cost more than the usual petrol and diesel cars. Honda is trying to work on this front. Once Honda gets permit to launch their hybrid vehicle, all other manufacturers will think of doing so. The more hybrid vehicles run in India the lesser the pollution.
    SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend     Add to Technorati Favorites                 Add New Post

Global players planning to test their vehicles in India

Global car manufacturers Honda, Toyota, Nissan, and BMW are negotiating with the NATRIP (National Automotive Testing and R&D Infrastructure Project) to benefit from testing the robustness and performance of their vehicles intended for the International market.

NATRIP gives an exact picture of the performance of the vehicles invariable of climatic conditions. Testing costs are low in NATRIP compared to other vehicle testing agencies. As international car manufacturers are probing ways to make their products a success, testing cars in India will be one of them, because it costs significantly low. As piracy issues are thronging in China, companies think India is the best base to test their up-coming vehicles.

NATRIP is planning to hire more brains for suggestions regarding the quality of equipments that need to be fitted in the future vehicles. The agency is also working hard to support the Indian component makers in the global markets. NATRIP has its centers in Chennai and Pune. With the growing demand, NATRIP is set to open branches in Indore, Silchar, and Rai Bareily.
    SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend     Add to Technorati Favorites                 Add New Post

GM India celebrates raising car sales

GM India touched its highest sales statistics yet, in India. Since General Motors introduced its vehicles to India, this is the first time the firm has enjoyed a profit with such high margins. General Motors cruises ahead of its competitors with the extremely affordable Chevy Spark and the value-for-money Aveo UV-A.

GM has sold more than two times the units it sold last year in the same period. General Motors India for the first time beat Ford Motors India in the market share.

With the festive season on in India, GM has cut down the price of Spark by over rupees 50,000/-, which is also one of the reasons for the auto major to enjoy boosting sales. Because the offer is available only for a limited period, no wonder people are rushing to GM dealers spread all over the country.

If General Motors consider extending the offer for another few days there is no doubt that our pavements will be full of GM brands.
    SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend     Add to Technorati Favorites                 Add New Post

Mahindra Scorpio- most appealing SUV

Right from when I laid my eyes on Mahindra Scorpio, it has stayed as my most favorite affordable SUV. Its macho looks with wide headlamps and tough tyres, and a most interesting taillight design that climbs-up all the way to the roof changed the way people looked at SUVs. The ad which shows the vehicle wading without any hassle in all terrains is really magnificent.

On the inside it has plush interiors that would rival any sedan. It has a tilting steering column, an air conditioning system, power steering, power windows, an audio system, and safety features including tubeless tyres, fire resistant upholstery, anti-roll bar, and a collapsible steering column.

The 5-speed manual transmission along with the SZ CRDe 4 stroke engine helps the vehicle attain a power of 115 hp on India roads. The performance is complemented by independent front and rear suspensions. What more can one ask to cruise on Indian roads.
    SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend     Add to Technorati Favorites                 Add New Post

Porsche power soon to be in India

Quick, what comes to mind when you think of Porsche? A clean cut designed sleek, fast, and incredible handling 2-door sport car with a genuine racing heritage. The ‘Made in Germany’ Porsche is soon to be launched in India.

Porsche has recently confirmed that it will assemble its top rated cars in India. Well, here are the Porsche models that will test Indian roads first: the GT and the Cayenne GTS. After the launch of the GT and Cayenne GTS, Porsche has chosen to assemble more vehicle range in India. The GT and Cayenne GTS are Porsche’s landmark models, known for a ride that quickens an enthusiast’s heartbeat.

It’ll be crazy if I’ll say getting a new Porsche is a financially savvy move. But relax. Porsche has quoted that Indian buyers can sign up with all these versions at a significantly cheaper prize. All we can do is hope that the price is the only thing that will be cheaper! After all, no want wants to drive a tin even if it does have a Porsche symbol at its front!
    SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend     Add to Technorati Favorites                 Add New Post

Armored Safari for Indian Army

Now it’s time to hear it, see it in action, to feel it in the hands of our Indian army; wild in the streets – the new armored Safari. Tata Motors has lined up an armored Safari for the use of the Indian Army. The most fascinating thing about the armored Safari is the hand-grenade protection, shatter-proof glass, and side bomb protection with firing ports. Thanks to ever-developing technology and systematic and creative ideas.

We have seen Tata’s cars roll out on Indian roads in almost all vehicle segments. We have heard of Tata’s 1 Lakh car. Now, it is time to see bullet proof vehicles for high net worth individuals (HNIs). Reports had indicated that Tata is also working on a new segment that will mainly offer a land mine-proof and bullet-proof vehicle on the Safari platform for HNIs, such as businessmen and political leaders. Like most new innovations, it sounds a lot advanced than it probably is. Hooray! What a concept.

Just when many brands have started to offer defense purpose vehicles to the Indian army, Tata went a step ahead. The features will hopefully make VIPs prefer the new armored safari over a regular car. The new vehicle that is currently on track in Hyderabad is reportedly under assessment by the Indian army.
    SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend     Add to Technorati Favorites                 Add New Post

Expect first Indian Grand Prix in 2009

Do I need to say more about the whole so-called Formula One, the global auto racing event? Maybe you’ve been following the trickle of information flowing out ever since the 1998 Indian Grand Prix attempt when the Indian government started its attempt to get a F1 racing event in India. Tata, Mahindra, Maruti, and many other Indian Manufacturers are following this event closely.

Here’s another effort to bring F1 to town. Even if the Indian roads are not that much advanced for a F1 race, we have a huge number of racing enthusiasts with Narain Karthikeyan on to race and Vijay Mallya to support. The Indian Olympics Authority is also on the ground to get the race to India by the October 2010 Commonwealth Games.

Critics say that the Grand Prix will meet serious infrastructural and environmental challenges in India, but there’s no denying that India is one of the fastest growing economy in Asia with a horde of Young Indians who have high incomes and F1 enthusiasm. Reports indicate that the Formula One architects have visited New Delhi and seen several sites in the National Capital Region and have handed India a race promotion contract and a circuit rights agreement contract. Let’s keep our fingers crossed and hope to see the first Indian Grand Prix in 2009.
    SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend     Add to Technorati Favorites                 Add New Post

Tata unveiled the new Indica with ABS

Buyers now have another reason to buy a Tata vehicle, besides the excellent capacity and the truly affordable price. Tata Motors has unveiled the new Indica with more safety features. Carmaker Tata Motors on Wednesday introduced a new variant of its flagship hatchback Indica sporting dual front airbags and an anti-lock braking system. Further, the new variant is expected to cater to customers’ with an ex-showroom Delhi price tag of Rs. 4.76 lakh.

Tata is trying to engineer these safety features to the top-end variants of Indica. Perhaps one of the most important efforts is adding all these safety features to the IndicaV2 Turbo and Indica DLX that already have a full-fledged safety facility.

Everybody knows that since its launch, Indica is Tata’s best selling hatchback in India. Currently the existing Indica comes with standard safety features like anti-submarine seats, side-impact beams, front crumple zones, collapsible steering column, energy absorbing bumpers, and ELR type seat belts. A 1.4 liter, diesel engine drops 61 horses with the smoothest and best-sounding turbo in Indica. Since its launch in 1998 the company has produced over 8 lakh units for the fastest and most powerful hot hatch’s sale.
    SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend     Add to Technorati Favorites                 Add New Post