Monthly Archives: February 2009

New Honda City Wins ‘Indian Car of the Year 2009’ Award

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New Honda City Cars in India

New Honda City wins a prestigious ‘Indian Car of the Year 2009′ (ICOTY) award by Auto top automobile journalists in India. The Indian Car of the Year award is based on the standards of international awards and recognizes the efforts of the Indian talents.

All the cars introduced in the calendar year 2008 were eligible for the award. There were seven finalists for the ‘Indian Car of the Year’ award including Hyundai i20, Honda City, Maruti Suzuki A-Star, Skoda Fabia, Tata Indica Vista, Toyota Altis, and Volkswagen Jetta. The new Honda City is selected for the title by a panel of 11 judges that comprise senior automobile journalists from leading automobile magazines in India.

The New City was introduced in 2008 carrying a perfect symphony of stimulating style, refined comfort, outstanding performance, impressive fuel efficiency, and unmatched safety. Adding to the worth of the car is its unique ‘Arrow Shot Form’ design, beautiful exterior adornments, and futuristic technologies. The innovative fuel-efficient 1.5L, 4 cylinder i-VTEC engine compliant to the Euro IV Emission norms is one of the reasons behind the success of the car.

The car is also honoured with the same award by some of the leading automobile magazines. It is even crowned for ‘Viewers’ Choice’ award by UTVi – Autocar Awards and CNBC TV18 Overdrive Awards.

Honda launched the car with many expectations and it seems to be fulfilled as the ‘Indian Car of the Year 2009′ award is a sign of City’s credibility in the Indian car market.

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Honda Exchange and Finance Carnival

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Honda is celebrating a grand Exchange and Finance Carnival at Auto Terrace from Feb 20 and Feb 22. The carnival will enable you to exchange your old car with a brand new Honda car. You can also get attractive finance schemes for both used and new cars.

Auto Terrace is Honda’s in-house car exchange facility where an existing car of any brand can be exchanged for a new or pre-owned Honda car. It is one of the prime locations where a fleet of Honda used cars are available for exchange.

In the carnival you can get in touch with various officials and volunteers who will help you get your new Honda car financed and with pride you can simply drive out your dream Honda car. Whichever car you choose to buy, there’ll be an absolute transparent transaction.

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Go Sporty with New Indica V2 Xeta

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New Indica V2 Xeta Cars in India

It’s time to go sporty with the new the Indica V2 Xeta. The trendy and stylish new car is here to add spice and oomph in depressed car market.

The exterior of the sports variant is inspired from the peepy Indica Xeta with vibrant and lively look. It retains the same design with some striking modifications that include chrome inserts in front grille, set of single beam headlights, sleek taillights, and chrome-tripped exhaust. Smart new decals add to the sporty characteristics of the car.

The same pep is carried into the car’s interior. The stylish new interiors guarantee to satisfy the taste and desire of every car buyer. The redesigned instrument cluster, racy steering wheel, and stylish seat fabric in the interior offer refinement and comfort along with thrilling driving experience. Accentuating the charm and appeal is the beige interiors that along with functional car technologies make every journey a memorable ride.

Nature lovers have a reason to adore the car as it also comes with a LPG variant along with the petrol variant. The eXtra Efficient Torque Advantage petrol engine is borrowed from the original Xeta which delivers a smoother and responsive drive.

The launch of the new Sporty Indica V2 Xeta is made more exciting with a bunch of offers on the purchase of the car. The new variant of the Xeta is available with a 3-year loan scheme along with 3-year warranty, 3-year free repair, comprehensive maintenance package, and 3-year free 24*7 on-road assistance.

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Lucrative offer with Audi A6

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New Audi A6 Cars in India

After reducing the prices of its homologated car models in India, Audi has come up with another scheme on A6. Audi’s captivating A6 model is now available with a fabulous zero percent financing rate and an extended four years warranty schemes.

Incredibly, this package includes 0% rate on finance for customers and an extended warranty of two years in addition to the normal two years warranty. The extended warranty is applicable for all the items which are covered in the initial two-year manufacturer warranty. A6 is one of the popular sedans with a synthesis of passion, comfort, power, driving dynamics. It comes in four variants 2.8 FSI, 3.2 FSI quattro, 2.7 TDI and 3.0 TDI quattro.

Audi has extensive plans to rule the flourishing Indian car industry and these are the initial steps to occupy the centre stage. The company is using its powerful car models to gain volume market share. Apart from this, it has also introduced a customer-centric programme “Audi Top Assist” which provides round-the-clock emergency road side assistance services across 95% of the main route in India.

Well, this scheme offers a symbiotic benefit for the company as well as the customers.

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Citroen on Mission India

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Citroen has a burning desire to find lucrative business opportunities in India. Although there were contradictory discussions about establishing its base in India, the car manufacturer is aggressively tapping the opportunities.

The company already has it stake with Magna Steyr in India that provides a range of services including the whole spectrum of automotive processes. The manufacturer starts its mission by entering the south Indian state of Andhra Pradesh where it is in talk with the state government officials to explore investment opportunities.

With a view to set up a base in the country, Citroen has already established a local office in Chennai to source auto components. And now, the manufacturer plans to share a greater portion of the Indian pie with few of its new car launches.

Citroen is also ready to introduce an array of new car models. And to ensure the success of the cars in the India, it has taken inputs from officials of SIAM (Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers) with regards to emission roadmap, road-worthiness rules, and policy structure.

So, India will again witness and welcome one more foreign car manufacturer. Its seems Indian car industry is riding fast in pace with the advancing global car market successfully stamping its position in global automotive map.

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Experiencing 50 Years of Safety with Three-Pointed Seat Belts

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Nils Bohlin

The first car safety feature in the car industry ‘seat belts’ turns 50 ensuring the protection of occupants as well as driver. Volvo cars were the first to get this safety device in 1959. During that time, no one had ever imagined that a simple innovation like this will continue to be tagged as one of the biggest life saver behind the wheel.

The three point seat belt was invented by Volvo engineer Nils Bohlin. It was first fitted in the car models PV544 and Amazon 120s sold in Nordic countries in Northern Europe. Since then, it has saved millions of life. Car passengers buckled with seat belts have 50% better chances of surviving during a car accident. There are no exact figures as to how many lives this safety feature has saved since its inception. But it has drastically reduced the number of road fatalities across the globe over the years.

Still in the modern era when a host of advanced safety features have been introduced, cars can be seen plying on roads fitted with safety belts. It is incredible that the legendary seat belt still holds its position in the market and continues its noble tradition of saving lives.

But a question arises is it facing a trouble time amidst various new safety devices in the market? There is one simple answer to this is ‘No’. No new car safety feature in the market has ever been able to overpower the significance of seat belts in terms of safety and even today the basic fundamental design of the seat belts is the same. The only difference is that they have witnessed few added innovations and minor modifications.

New technical solutions have interacted with seat belts to improve safety standards across the industry. Today, seat belts are loaded with pre-tensioners and force limiters for improved safety of car passengers. Wide and unavoidable use of safety belts around the globe will never make it loose it significance even if in the era of supercomputers and time machine.

Submitted By : Ashish Trivedi

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Hyundai Santa Fe Soon to Brighten Indian SUV Segment

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New Hyundai Santa Fe Cars in India

It was disclosed earlier that Hyundai was to roll out its Santa Fe in India in 2008. But may be the impact of recession pushed back the launch plan. And now when the market is gradually making attempts to recover, Hyundai is all set to brighten the Indian SUV segment with its strong and powerful SUV Santa Fe.

Successfully running in the international markets, the rugged SUV Santa Fe seems to borrow its style and design from coupe and promises to quench the thirst of a buyer for sportiness as well as style. It will possess the ground clearance and power of a SUV but the visual appeal of a stylish coupe.

The imposing exterior highlighted by slanting headlamps, flowing waistline, and chrome lined radiator grille is sure to make a distinctive presence in the Indian roads. Contradictory to the fact that the Santa Fe will come with a standard CRDi engine, it will now be launched with two variants that include the 2.7-litre petrol with a power output of 190 bhp and 2.2-litre diesel engine with a power delivery of 151 bhp.

There were speculations that the Santa Fe will roll out on Indian roads with a price tag of around Rs 8 Lakh. But no ways! This powerful SUV is pitted against the market leader Honda CR-V and is packed with host of luxurious, versatile, and futuristic technologies. It will be priced above the CR-V at around Rs 23 Lakh.

Apart from the Honda CR-V, Hyundai Santa Fe will also compete with the Chevrolet Captiva and the Ford Endeavour in the Indian car market. But it’s difficult to say how far the proposed Hyundai car will be successful in overpowering the Indian SUV segment with such a high price tag. But it is yet to know whether the features and the technologies in the SUV are worth the price. The year 2009 will portray a true picture of its market success once the Santa Fe is launched.

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Enjoy Music on Wheels with Ipod Car Adaptor

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Technologies have become the fate of auto industry and so do in-car entertainment systems. Innovations have brought in a host of entertainment systems that have taken car electronics to new height.

The introduction of wireless ipod car adaptors by Apple has begun a new revolution in in-car entertainments. Apple’s first ipod car adapters are luring many music enthusiasts with its unique features. Music lovers can enjoy their favourite tunes behind the wheel without the involvement of wires and cables. The company has launched the iPod car adapter in three different options.

The first one helps the ipod adaptor to connect to FM stations to transfer signals directly to the car audio system. It comes with a voice monitoring system for tuning the voice clarity and selection option to enjoy high-quality, wireless, sound tracks.

The second one is the iPod’s jack adapter which offers the highest sound quality available for car stereos. Many car manufacturers like Mazda, Toyota, and Chevrolet have even built-in iPod’s jack adapters in some of their popular car models.

And the third type of car adaptors are the cassette adaptor that is perfect for old car models. Though the sound quality is not much impressive, it is good choice for a price conscious buyer.

Whatever you choose for your car, the ipod adaptor, jack adaptor, or the cassette adaptor, the rhythmic music of your favourite tunes can soothe you in all your car journeys.

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Exhilarating 2009 Chicago Auto Show

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The largest and most popular auto shows in North America ‘Chicago Auto Show’ has started this year from February 13 at McCormick Place. This year it marks a significant milestone with 101st edition in the age old history of auto shows around the world.

With 1.3 million square feet of displays, the interactive show floor offers a strong platform for car manufacturers and component manufacturers to distinctively expose their innovations and concepts to the most important constituency, the consumers!

Organised by the Chicago Automobile Trade Association (CATA), the show covers every aspect of auto industry from breathtaking new innovations to interesting debuts. This year the show exhibits a complete range of domestic and imported passenger cars and trucks that counts nearly 1,000 different vehicles including sport utility vehicles, and experimental and concept cars. Additionally, numerous car accessories, competition vehicles, projects, antiques, collector cars, and other auto-related exhibits are displayed.

Brands like Hyundai Suzuki, General Motors, and Ford Motors are ready to steals the hearts of car enthusiasts with the display of their forthcoming concepts and cars. Hyundai presents a variety of cars including the Hyundai Genesis Coupe that is soon to arrive in the market. Even the sister auto manufacturer Kia unwraps a fairly big surprise including its two-door Soul’ster Concept.

Suzuki in an attempt to push its sales brings three SEMA-style offerings to the show. General Motors rolls out an inspiring shape-shifting Bumblebee Camaro. Similarly, Ford Motors and other leading car manufacturers are also on the interactive show floor to expose some of their best offerings to the visitors.

Strewn among the shinning modern cars are interactive displays and a variety of activities that make the 2009 Chicago Auto Show a thrilling event. The show has a special DriveChicago Kid Zone to keep little hands busy while parents feel the beauty and charm of the winning cars.

The Dodge/Jeep Test Track where one can enjoy a ride in the Jeep Wrangler or Dodge Ram is another excitement of the show. The Jeep and Dodge Kidz Court take kids on a fun ride with the kid-sized Jeep. Further to these, cool driving simulators add to the excitement of the show.

The show also features a Tailgate Cafe in association with the Chicago Restaurant Partners to offer auto show attendees a number of tasty and healthy food options. Another most exciting and noble activity in the 2009 show is the Food Drive that facilitates collection of food for the homeless and poor in the city.

With an interesting fleet of new cars, futuristic concepts, and commercial vehicles, the ongoing 2009 Chicago Auto Show is worth a visit.

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Maruti Suzuki’s Swift Reaches a Milestone

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New Maruti Suzuki Swift Cars in India

Maruti Suzuki’s famed and winning hatchback Swift has again heralds its success by bagging an impressive sales number of 3 Lakh. Amazingly, this car only took three years and eight months to reach the 3-lakh milestone.

Since its launch in May 2005, the car has always seen an upward trend in terms of sales. In less than 21 months, it achieved sales figure of one lakh and progressing in the same success lane it again reached the sales number of one lakh in just 13 months. The car has received many accolades in India as well as in other countries. Incredibly, Swift was crowned with the title of ‘Car-of-the-Year’ in 11 countries including India due to its sporty looks, superior safety features, and dynamic driving.

Swift has set a radical new trend in Maruti Suzuki’s image representing a new philosophy and fresh thinking of the company. Maruti has intelligently launched both the petrol and diesel variants of the car to lure car buyers. The Swift diesel variant also marked new benchmarks for diesel cars further increasing its popularity.

This is not the end, the car has a long way to go and it is certainly going to keep its eminent image in the Indian car industry.

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