Monthly Archives: August 2008

Audi R8 Not Launched But Sold

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Audi R8 is scheduled for launch in November this year. The car is priced at Rs 1.3 crore in India and there are many who are waiting for the launch of this car.

The car will be imported from Germany for the Indian market. The imported volume is low and so it will not go through any approval by the authorities. Audi R 8 bears a weight of around 1,560 kg and is an excellent car with a mid-engine, delivering a horsepower of 420. The car has created a benchmark in the global car industry.

Audi’s sports car is doing wonders throughout the world and soon going to make its debut in the Indian market. In India, there are many people who are ready to pay this big amount for the luxury, quality and superiority the car delivers.

It is believed that the bookings for the car started in June 2008 and the company has almost registered 15 orders in its bag for the super luxury car. After bagging 15 orders, the company states that the imported car model is sold out for this year.

Sold out! What does this means? This sounds to be strange. The car model has not yet launched but the targeted sale volume is over for this annum. Yes, that’s right. Audi R8 has not yet launched but is sold in India. Currently, there are two to three Audi R8s on Indian roads that were bought through direct import.

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Another New Model from Tata

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There is lot going on with Tata’s. They are always in news for some or the other reason. The news of launch of Tata Indicruz by 2009 is the latest buzz. To be built on Safari platform, the car will come with four wheel drive.

Large grille and peeled back headlamp with a modern touch will adorn the car. The interiors are spacious too with well placed dash offering large storage space. The brand has not compromised with the quality either and is expected to present better performance than the Safari and new Sumo Grande. This MPV is likely to compete with Toyota Innova.

Tata’s have a list of new surprises to be launched. They are foraying in every segment, looks like very soon Tata will dominate the car industry in India.

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Electric Cars vs. CNG Cars

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Electric cars and CNG cars are the current wave in the automotive industry. The hike in fuel prices have definitely cut down the sale of petrol cars and increase the demand of CNG cars.

Along with CNG, electric cars have also established a strong platform on the sands of Indian car market. Currently, we only have two electric cars, Reva Maini and Garuda. There are car manufacturers who are working on to produce electric versions of their various car models. But is it good to work on electric versions? Or CNG versions are preferable?

During this era when the infrastructure is not so strong in the country, the industry will benefit more by producing CNG comply engines rather than wasting time to design purely electric engines. This is because India has a huge shortage of electricity. In the recent time, power cut has become a usual thing in most of the metro cities. Even today there are few villages in the country that live in dark the entire year. That’s shocking but that’s the truth.

With such an infrastructure and shortage of power, how can electric cars win the car race? Yes, of course once the power shortage issue is solved, electric cars will top the race. But till then, CNG cars are better.

Today, most of the gas pump stations provide CNG. It is one of the cheapest fuels with the lowest running costs. One kilogram of CNG costs about Rs 22 and the fuel gives a running cost of about Rs 1.3/km. This clearly dictates that one kg of CNG will run the car for one whole month.

Then, what do you decide – Electric or CNG?

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How Long will the Small Maruti Stay

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It’s high time that Maruti should shift its small car portfolio to high performance sedans and retain its supremacy in the country.

Maruti started the production of its small and beautiful Maruti 800 past 25 years. It was one of the earliest cars in India after the Fiat Padmini and Ambassador. The car was the best during that period and was highly competitive in terms of performance, comfort and drivability. But now, the time has changed.

Today, Indian car market is predominated with a vast number of hatchbacks, sedans, SUVs and MUVs. With so many new cars coming in, the old cars are gradually moving out of the industry. Fiat Padmini is already overpowered by various other Fiat models and the old Ambassador has been replaced by new features including the new engine technology. Now, it’s the turn for Maruti 800.

The Maruti 800 is still running successfully on Indian roads but how long will this small car run? Today Maruti Motors is associated with a sturdy, stylish and elegant car like Maruti SX4, the sizzling compacts Maruti Swift and Maruti Alto. Maruti cars are having a tough competition within themselves. Alto is competing with 800, eventually slowing down the sale of 800.

However, Maruti has the best-in-class technology in all its car models that make Maruti cars a better option. But then, 800 has to drive out to give way to next generation cars.

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Auto Industry Halts Expansion

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Drop in car sales due to increasing inflation have pushed auto companies to halt their expansion plans. Along with auto players, many auto component manufacturers have also lined up their investments as they don’t want to venture the market during this slowdown era.

Currently, auto manufacturers have no justified reason for expansion. Some of the car manufacturers like Toyota Kirloskar Motors, Maruti Suzuki India and Ford Motor India are rescheduling their equipment orders just because the industry is facing a jinx.

The Toyota Motors is slowing down its launches, whereas the Maruti Suzuki India has pushed the sales target to 2011 fiscal instead of 2010. The Ford Motor India is also planning to revise its expansion strategy. Ford has already announced an investment of around Rs. 2 crore in the Indian car market but is now confused with its own decision of expansion.

Recently, Skoda and its sibling Volkswagen have announced its expansion plan by launching a portfolio of cars in India. Are they still in the thought of expanding in the Indian market? If yes, will they benefit from the currently slowed down market?

India is believed to be an optimistic country, but will this optimism sway away with the current slack phase of the Indian car industry?

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New Face of Indica Peeps In

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Tata Motors has launched a new face of Indica, the Indica Vista, on a glittering function on Saturday evening.

Indica Vista is believed to be the India’s first fully indigenous car. Yes, this is known to be the first and the Tata’s only car that is manufactured completely in India with all Indian spare parts.

The second generation Indica Vista reflects the economic and brand progress Tata has made since its debut in the Indian car market. Since the time of conception, the company has made various advancements in terms of engine efficiency, design quality, technology and even drivability. The company is not only looking at giving ultra-modern technologies to all its car models but is also ensuring the comfort level of the drivers and the performance of its entire car portfolio.

Vista will definitely rule over its own predecessor with innovative features, best in class engine technology and attractive looks. Available in a range of colours and price segments, Indica Vista is sure to create a benchmark in the Indian car industry.

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Worst After Sale Service of Honda Accord

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My boss owns a Honda Accord and faced numerous problems since the purchase of this car. This car is having battery problem which was found old and when complaint was made the problem is not resolved and my boss has to replace the battery at his own expense. This car is having serious problem of engine’s heavy oil consumption. Till date not resolved. Last but most annoying that when there was a puncture on express highway, surprisingly the spare wheel found of another size then what it should have and still the right size wheel is not provided This entire complaint was made to HONDA MOTORS at Delhi and even JAPAN Head Office, they expressed only regrets but till date the problems are not resolved. I have only one question if same incident happened to some of the JAPANESE-AMERICAN-EUROPIAN Customer what will be action of HONDA MOTORS. I hope this will reach to you and think of any foreign company to be checked twice and not to rely just as they are from so called big company. They have worst after sales service I have found. I had very high regards for JAPANESE companies but in real sense they are as rude as any worst company of India.Thanks…

Submitted By: Nitigna Trivedi

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The Nano Trouble Continues

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Tata Nano, the much hyped ultra-cheap car is in trouble. There are chances that Nano will face some obstacles at its commercial launch because of violent protests against the Singur plant continues. And if the problem worsens, the Indian top car manufacturers will move its Nano production plant from West Bengal.

Tata has been getting invitation from states like Punjab, Haryana, and Maharashtra and Karnataka to set up the plant. The CMs of these states have clearly expressed their interest in providing land to build the production unit for Nano. There is high probability of Tata to re-set the Nano plant in Dharwad (Karnataka), as this state already accommodates Tata Plant.

If the Tata Motors shifts the plant from Bengal then not only the company will have to suffer heavy loss but also the huge number of employees will be affected who are depend on the enterprise for their bread and butter.

Again a hurdle for the little car, the Nano’s launch is getting hotter. Well everybody is now eyeing what new turn the agitation will take?

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E-car Trend Goes On

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The demand for four-wheelers in India is growing and the two-wheeler manufacturers are also venturing into the car market. Hero Electric, a subsidiary of the Hero group is planning to foray the car segment with an electric car by 2013. The details of the car like the specifications and the price is not yet disclosed. These cars will not run on capacitors or on conventional battery. The car will carry an instant charger and would also give higher mileage at a lower cost.

The increase in fuel price has given a great pinch to the buyers as well as the car manufacturers and as a practical solution to it, car manufacturers are working on eco-friendly cars. Recently, Tata Motors has also announced the electric-drive version of Tata Nano by 2009. Mahindra & Mahindra is also planning to roll out electric car to India very soon.

As we all know that India does not support electric vehicles much. Looks like by introducing e-cars, car manufacturers are trying to build a green image, but still the actual revenues come from mainstream fuel guzzlers.

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All New Teana for India Very Soon

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Every car manufacture is on the verge of rolling out the new version of the existing model. Recently, Nissan Motors unveiled the latest generation of Nissan Teana at the Beijing Auto Show and very soon Indian roads will also experience the new Teana.

The new car is much bigger and spacious and pampers the passengers with more luxury features like seat ventilation, indirect mood lighting and a floating heads up display giving total comfort. The car gets a V6 engine and is likely to carry the price tag of nearly Rs. 24 lakh. It is expected to give a tough competition to Honda Accord in terms of style and performance but losses out on the price front.

But those who give importance to performance, style, and luxury than money….then the new Teana is the right choice!

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