Mitsubishi has become very active lately. After completing 10 years with just a couple of models, the company is suddenly flooding the market with its new cars. It has recently launched the premium sedan Cedia and SUV Pajero. It also plans to release Mitsubishi Evo and a MiVEC in the market. The sedan Lancer is already in the market to remind people of its presence.

But now the company has decided to launch a re-modeled Lancer by 2009. The car is said to be sportier and more striking than its predecessors. The new lancer will reach the Honda Civic proportions. It will be available in two types of engine puffing out 140 bhp. The interiors have been re-designed to feel completely new. The car will be priced in the range of Rs 11 lakh to Rs 13.5 lakh. The lanky Lancer will not only deliver performance but also style.

Getting an insurance policy for your car is a cumbersome process. As per the law, it is mandatory for cars to be insured before venturing on to the roads. While PSU still stick to the old rules, the private sectors are taking the lead.

India’s largest private general insurer ICICI Lombard has started a new claim service scheme called “the red carpet” for customers who insure 50 or more vehicles. The scheme entitles the customer file for full claim without any deduction and less stringent survey if the assessor fails to turn up for customer appointment with six hours. This is the first time that an insurance company has introduced benefit for large fleet owners. With the introduction of this policy, the ICICI is giving a new direction to motors insurance business in India.

Tata Nano has been known worldwide for its price. Once it was unveiled on January 10, 2008 at the Auto expo, it has captured the imagination of all first time car buyers. The Nano comes so cheap that almost all two wheeler riders and middle class section of the society can afford to buy. But the cost of a car is not its factory price alone. There are also other cost like dealer prices, duties and excises, taxes and insurance payment. Insurance companies are working overtime to calculate the monthly insurance premium. But nobody is sure how much it will actually cost as it is yet to hit the roads.

Insurance in India has been calculated using the value of the car and its cubic capacity as parameters. But being a small car with ultra-low cost it assessed that the insurance premium will be as low Rs 2000! With such a low premium, Nano buyers will have one more adavantage.

Tata Motor has tried hard to develop technologies at rates that were not imaginable before. After Nano has earned the title of world’s cheapest car, Tata is again creating history by developing low cost airbags. These airbags will cost $10. A global component supplier will manufacture the Airbags. The other expenses will be taken up by the company.

It can then be market as the world’s cheapest airbags. Nano has not only opened a new segment of consumers but also opened a new line of research which will reduce the overall cost of cars worldwide.

When new and established car companies are hesitant to come up with eco-cars, a new Indian venture is planning to showcase an electric hybrid car at the Paris Motors Show scheduled to be held in October.

Argentum Motors, India’s largest automobile contract manufacturer has asked a French automotive design company to develop an electric car. The French company Heuliez is a leading design company but is reeling under bankruptcy from the past six months. With this agreement, Argentum Motors will not only bail the French company but also gain access to the European market with an eco-car. Argentum, set up in 2007 has stepped up promotion as a contract car manufacturer for luxury and super luxury cars in India.

It seems like most car manufacturers are finding it difficult to develop a workable electric car. They are trying to develop electric cars that will be more powerful and cost effective. As the car makers are struggling with the new technologies, the electric cars themselves are getting upgraded everyday.

Bangalore based Maini Reva has already proved that electric cars are workable. They can be easily motorable in urban cities. Now more and more car companies are joining the race to develop electric cars as it is the cheapest option. General Motors is likely to launch the high profile electric car Volt in a year’s time. With increasing green house effect and air pollution, car manufacturers profess emission free cars may become a reality in near future.

The rising inputs costs have already added pressure on the car companies to increase the prices of products. The car companies which had whined about the inputs costs have announced their new prices. The most prominent among them were Mahindra and Mahindra, Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai and General Motors. The first two among have already announced the increase in prices. The latest in the list is Hyundai, which as hiked the prices by 2 percent.

Hyundai has tried to match Maruti in price hike. The quantum of increase in prices appears to be the same for cars in similar segments. This will be the second time this year that car companies are going for hike in prices.

All those fans that were looking forward to buy Honda Civic Hybrid should be cautions. How different is the car from normal petrol/diesel run cars? Is it really produced less emission as it claims to be? These questions were raised by auto experts in US who made a study on the aspect.

The company claims that Civic Hybrid has one of the lowest car emissions of 109g/hm of CO₂. This is even mentioned in the international websites. However, during a study it came to light that the emission was actually 171g/km of CO₂. This is much higher than the standard rating of less than 140g/km.

Honda will be bringing its Civic Hybrid to India soon. So all those environmentalists who thought that Civic hybrid was the answer to all environmental issues need to re-think about it. Further, the Civic Hybrid will be costlier in India than in other countries as import taxes of 114% will be levied as soon as it lands in India. So think before twice before you buy the car.

If you’re open to new things, then go for the new model of Skoda. The car will be the first ever new crossover model in India and is aptly named as ‘Skoda Roomster’.

Effectively two cars in one, the Roomster hits the spot, both as a multi-passenger vehicle (MPV) and a hatchback. The new Skoda Roomster is a brilliant car to drive and fun too. You must have heard of the old saying – “Looks can be deceiving,” and in this case, it’s certainly true. Although, it has a tallboy stance, the Roomster’s stability on the road is unbelievable.

It has all the features that a buyer will admire. Moreover, the car is practical, cheap and fun to own. If you are looking for of an amazingly versatile and effective interior load space with excellent safety credentials, then the Skoda Roomster is the perfect car.

This cute little car comes in three variant levels which are simply called Roomster 1, 2 and 3. There is a pleasant variety of engine power available. Petrol engines available with the car are of 1.2-litre, 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre capacities. A larger 1.9-litre diesel engine has a nice output of 105 bhp. All variants are available with a five speed manual transmission. The estimated starting price of the Roomster in India is expected to be Rs 9.5 Lakh (Ex-showroom Delhi).

The city authorities in big cities are very much worried for the traffic problems. Traffic congestion is becoming increasingly difficult to handle. Traffic police are finding it difficult to catch traffic violators, due to their enormous numbers. Tracking them down requires a whole army of dedicated staff and technology.

The transport department in the urban development ministry is planning of integrating radio frequency identification (RIFD) to cars. Once installed, the device will help to track the violator’s car number. Relying on the report, traffic police could charge the car owner for violating traffic rules. Violating traffic rules may not be fun anymore for the youth.