Monthly Archives: May 2008

Tata’s Net Profit is Marginally Down

The heavy investments in abroad, loans and huge investments in the domestic market have made Tata Motors profit down. The company recoded a marginal decline in profit for the fiscal year 2007-08. Earlier in the fiscal year 2006-07, the company had made a net profit of Rs 2,167.70 crore against Rs 2,169.99 crore.

The company has gained a total income of Rs 29,214 crore for the year 07-08 as compared to 27,715.22 crore on the year 06-07. After the annual profit was declared, the Tata Motors shares went up by 1.30 percent closing at Rs 634.75 at the Bombay Stock Exchange. It is now looking at future ahead of the annual turnover currently. Though it has seen a small drip in the profit, Tata Motors is on assured path to success as Nano is ready for launch in October.

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CNG Replaces Petrol Fuel Engines

As the cost of petrol rises, car owners are looking at alternative fuel supply. While the easiest option is fitting the car with LPG kit, car owners are opting for smoother and zero-emission CNG kits. This is a good news for the CNG kit suppliers in Mumbai, who had very little business coming from this product a few months ago. Some dealers are now fitting kits for up to 35-30 cars per month. The numbers are expected to go up by 25 percent in the next few months.

CNG and LPG kits are the best available options in India. While LPG cylinders are available everywhere, CNG filling station are few in city outskirts and no filling is possible in other places. With the skyrocketing price of the petrol, it has become practically impossible to bear the cost. The car owners are increasingly fitting their cars with CNG or LPG kits.

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Volkswagen’s New Business Strategy

Volkswagen does not like wasting when it comes to business. The company is asking its vendors to set up their facilities on its own land in Chakan in Pune. It will assist vendors to set up their establishments. The company will be saving transportation costs and time while it can concentrate on production target of 1,10,000 units per year.

It will provide as much as one third of the 575 acres land to the vendors for setting up their plants. The company has lined up more than 6-7 models of car including its subsidiary Skoda and Audi’s cars. Volkswagen will have one of the busiest facilities in Indian once the Pune plant is open.

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Civic Hybrid is finally arriving

After months of speculations and long waiting period, finally the much hyped hybrid car from Honda will be hitting the roads. Honda has declared the date of launch. Incidentally, the launch day of the hybrid will coincide with Honda’s 10th anniversary in India. The Japanese company through its Indian subsidiary Honda Seil Cars India (HSCI) has made Honda a premium name in car segment.

As Honda had a successful stint with several models like City, Civic, 8th generation Accord and CR-V, the company is now preparing to launch Civic Hybrid. The car will add an eco-friendly quotient to its brand. The Hybrid will be imported from Japan for Indian consumer. Initially, the company only plans to sell only few hundred vehicles in India. The Civic Hybrid is making its debut in India on June 18 at a glittering function in Delhi.

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Nano to get Headlights from Japan

Japan has already changed the looks of Indian cars. Ever since Suzuki Motors introduced the M800, then the world cheapest car, the country has never looked back. New and better models have kept hitting the market regularly. Some of the costliest cars manufacturers like Mercedes, BMW and AUDI have their production facilities and huge marketing network here.

Now another Japanese company is set to change the way headlamps look in India. Koito and other auto parts manufacturers are employing a completely new strategy to create headlamps for Tata and Nissan small cars. The company is targeting the ultra-low cost car manufacturer where there will be huge demand for low cost (yet powerful) headlamps. With such headlamps, Nano will look cuter.

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Honda Motors to launch MUV

Car companies have a huge market in India. They have successfully maintained a neat portfolio of cars for India. Most of them are urban centric and come with drivability that suits city roads. The SUV have not been liked by many Indians, but only few of them are doing well in Indian car market. Hence, the car manufacturers are manufacturing multi-utility vehicle to get hold of the market. The best known MUVs in India are the Innova and Tata Sumo Grande.

Honda, which is a leader in premium car segment, has also decided to develop a MUV under their badge. Honda is likely to bring a MUV for India. But the date is yet to be announced.

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Intelligent Cars from India

With the advent of new technologies in the electronic world, cars are too getting intelligent. Most cars today have power and electronic functions integrated into them. This has made driving easier, compared to the rugged driving of the rumbling Amby. Now Cars are being designed to match the driver’s moods. Many are even diversifying to suit the taste of individual occupants. To get a hold of the fast changing trend, Tata Elxsi, a product design services domain is developing path breaking features for the cars.

Some of the technologies being developed by the company are bending light that helps driver to get clear visibility while taking a curve; body temperature measuring device that adjusts the air-conditioning levels for the driver and for each passenger. Sounds great! India is also coming up with new technologies. Well, Indian companies are preparing themselves to beat foreign competitors.

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Accord gives Attention to Rear Seat Occupants

The new Accord is practically luxury on wheels. Honda has tweaked the car in every corner and has given a new refreshing look. The car is now available in India. The new Accord is refreshingly new compared to its predecessors. It can be termed as the best in D+ segment.

Since such cars in India are driven by chauffers, the company has paid attention to rear seat comfort. The legroom is so large that an adult can stretch his legs and the back and the thigh support is also very relaxing. The rear seat passenger gets independent air vents and rear seat air conditioners; this feature is noticed only in Mercedes. Rear seat audio controls have also been placed for back seat passengers. The car is more refined and rear seat occupants experience a smooth ride. It looks like Honda revamped the Accord features to suit Indian conditions.

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Hyundai Likes to Pamper its Customers

Hyundai, India’s second largest car manufacturer is in news again. Hyundai had always come up with new schemes to impress customers. The company has met with great success with these initiatives. Now, Hyundai is back with two new offers. The company has launched two extended warranty schemes across the country.

One of the schemes named Powertrain will takes care of the engine and transmission while the other called the comprehensive scheme will take care of all mechanical defects including engine and transmission. The two schemes will be valid for five years or 1 lakh kms whichever is earlier. Hyundai car owners have to pay marginal fees to avail these services. This will surely attract more buyers. When car manufacturer is ready to take responsibility for its products, the car owners have nothing to complain.

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Freebies with Maruti Cars

Car companies are introducing discounts and freebies to attract car buyers now a days. Most dealers find it difficult to sell a car without them. In fact the discounts and freebies are more than the hike in prices announced lately. The price hike seems to have taken a back seat and rampant sales are reported from leading manufacturers. Though the Maruti Suzuki India has complained the most about increased inputs costs, it is quietly offering freebies to its car buyers to maintain its favoritism among the buyers. People buying a Zen Estilo stand to get a 100 percent insurance at a price of Re 1. Also on the offer list is a free music system worth Rs 6000. If you are exchanging an old Maruti car for Zen Estilo an exchange bonus of Rs 10,000 is being offered.

Buyer can also get the popular car Alto with offers like free insurance, 4 percent loan discount and an exchange bonus which is up to Rs 35,000. Maruti knows how to keep customers happy!

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