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January 6, 2011

New 2011 BMW X3 to hit India in Q1 2011

BMW India, which had a pretty good year in 2010, wants to maintain the same in 2011. Just afresh after the much-awaited launch of the Compact enrty-level SUV, the X1, BMW India wants to weave its charm around the Indian auto enthusiasts and wants to keep the competition with Mercedes Benz at bay.

Now from what we hear, the new generation model BMW X3 should hit the Indian market by the first quarter of 2011. The SUV was often seen testing on Indian roads. What is new in the new X3 you ponder? Well, for beginners, the new BMW X3 carries a bigger and more fluidic exterior as compared to the existing model of X3. This means serious competition to its competitors such as Audi Q5 and Mercedes Benz GLK Class.

While the new BMW X3 will be available in two engine options including 2.0L diesel and 2.5L petrol with highly sophisticated 8-speed transmission gearbox, features like Head-Up display, splittable rear seats, higher positioned driver seat ensuring better outside view and large luggage space will be a bonus with the SUV.

BMW is one of the largest luxury car makers in the country and sells about a dozen cars in India that comprises of SUVs like BMW X1, X3, X5 and X6, sedans such as BMW 3 Series, 5 Series, 6 Series and 7 Series, Grand Turismo, M series and the BMW Z4 coupe.

posted by carazooblog @ Thursday, January 6th, 2011 0 Comments links to this post

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January 6, 2011

Volvo XC30 on the cards

The compact SUV segment created by BMW with its X1 is already a rage in the automotive world. As soon as BMW announced its plans to launch the X1 in India, fellow compatriots (read: Audi and Mercedes Benz) also saw sense in bringing in the compact SUVs in their respective portfolios.

Audi has plans to come out with Q3, which probably could see the light of the day here in India sometime soon and Mercedes Benz not being very far from the idea of introducing a compact SUV will be starting to work on the GLC, Merc’s compact SUV. Now, the compact SUV mania seems to have spread to other parts of Europe too with the Swedes also eager to join the bandwagon.

Yes, Volvo, the Swedish company now in the hands of the Chinese are planning to bring in a new entry level compact SUV named Volvo XC30. Volvo India currently has XC90 and XC60 in its SUV portfolio. If Volvo’s plans materialise than the XC30, will be squarely aimed to quell the competition posed by the Germans, Czech, Japanese and Koreans in the entry-level compact SUV department. However, from what we hear, the Volvo XC30 will not be here in India until 2013.

It s interesting to see how competition is heating up here in the Indian SUV market which till now was ruled by Toyota Fortuner. Now with the advent of the Skoda Yeti, BMW X1, Hyundai Santa Fe and many other SUVs slated to hit the Indian market in 2011, the competition has skipped many levels.

posted by carazooblog @ Thursday, January 6th, 2011 1 Comment » links to this post

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January 5, 2011

Open sales of Tata Nano extended across India

It seems like the December 2010 sales of the Tata Nano has instilled new hope in its makers as they are now gearing to sell the World’s cheapest car throughout India. After the sales of the Nano had skidded southwards in the month of November 2010, Tata brought out all the tricks in the book to try and sell the Nano. The trick of the marketing division of Tata Motors seems to have worked out as they have come out with an impressive result in December 2010.

However, to capitalise on the trend of growing car sales, Tata Motors on Monday announced open sales of the Tata Nano in all the remaining states of India. The car was thus far freely available in 12 states. Customers across the country, who are desirous of driving home a Tata Nano but had not booked the car during 2009, will now be able to purchase a Tata Nano from the company’s 874 sales outlets in India.

As mentioned earlier Tata Motors’ Marketing division is doing overtime and has come out with innovative ways to sell the Nano. Tata Nano now comes with a 4-year / 60,000-km (whichever is earlier) manufacturer’s warranty, at no extra cost. In addition, customers have the option to avail of a comprehensive maintenance contract at only Rs. 99 per month. This contract will help take care of running maintenance of the car.

Tata Motors Finance (TMF), which provides finance for all Tata Motors vehicles, has launched a special Tata Nano finance scheme, under which a customer can get up to 90% loan with select documents in just 48 hours. Besides, Tata Motors has tied up with 28 banks and NBFCs to offer customers loans for purchasing the Tata Nano at attractive rates of interest.

The queries of small car’s saftey concern have also been answered. The company claims that in a recent Customer satisfaction studies conducted on the current Tata Nano owners indicate that over 80% are satisfied or very satisfied with the car, because of it being small yet spacious, its performance, maneuverability, durability, mileage and safety. Some owners have taken their Tata Nanos on countrywide trips or to altitudes like Khardungla, the world’s highest motorable road.

Besides its dealership showrooms, the company is setting up Special Nano Access Points for customers in the hinterlands to experience, test-drive or test-ride the car.

Lets hope to see more Tata Nanos zooming past us in the coming days.

posted by carazooblog @ Wednesday, January 5th, 2011 0 Comments links to this post

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January 4, 2011

Skoda closes 2010 with an impressive increase in sales

SkodaAuto India, a fully owned subsidiary of ŠkodaAuto Czech Republic, and one of the most promising automobile companies in India today announced that its sales grew by 38% in the year 2010 vis-à-vis year 2009.

SkodaAuto India’s total sales for the year 2010 stood at an impressive 20,166 units in 2010. The company’s sales performance was encouraging in the last month of the year as well with total sales of 2617 units and a growth of 135% over the same period last year. It must be noted that Skoda introduced the new Skoda Fabia and Skoda Yeti in 2010 calendar year. Skoda’s 2010 sales have been the best from the Czech automaker in India since its inception in the Indian market.

2010 has been one of the most eventful year in Skoda India’s calendar as Skoda began its 2010 innings by showcasing the Skoda Yeti in the 2010 Auto Expo held at New Delhi and later with the launches of the Yeti and face-lifted new Fabia. Skoda also achieved a milestone by rolling out the 100001st car from its Aurangabad plant. The year also saw Škoda undertaking a social initiative with gifting of Škoda Cars to ITI, Aurangabad. ŠkodaAuto India also initiated the Škoda Prize, the largest and the most prestigious awards on the Indian visual arts scene.

Looking at the year gone by Mr. Thomas Kuehl, Director & Board Member, Sales and Marketing, ŠkodaAuto India said “I am extremely delighted with ŠkodaAuto’s growth as we gear up for the exciting year ahead. The efforts and hard work put by Škoda India in year 2010 has reaped satisfying results. The calendar year 2010 was a favourable one for the Indian Economy and we were able to make the most of it through new product introductions and high impact and innovative marketing initiatives. We intend to take our success to new level in the year 2011 and continue our endeavour to offer only the best to the Indian consumer.

Mr. Kuehl further added, “ŠkodaAuto focused on aggressive network expansion strategy across India to boost its sales in this competitive market. Year 2010 happened to be a year of small cars. An array of cars was launched in hatchback sector but Škoda’s all new Fabia maintained its niche in the market. Also, Yeti’s launch in November has met with an exceptional response. Looking ahead, this year we promise that ŠkodaAuto’s cars will continue to add more zeal and zest in customers’ lives.”

Škoda Yeti’s ‘Right of Way’ Expedition, an initiative taken up in 2010 has been successful in creating a platform for the Škoda Yeti while catching the attention of potential customers through clutter breaking marketing. The car has already won Zigwheel’s SUV of the year & Top Gear ‘Car of the Year’ awards which is yet another milestone in ŠkodaAuto’s fascinating record. This award is the perfect way to start the New Year for the company.

posted by carazooblog @ Tuesday, January 4th, 2011 0 Comments links to this post

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January 3, 2011

Toyota opens Fortuner bookings anew

Toyota Kirloskar Motors (TKM), which has had a great 2010 in India with a series of launches, is brimming with glee. And in a way to carry the glee of 2010 to 2011, the Japanese auto giant has announced the bookings of its most bankable product, the Fortuner, once more.

Toyota on the 1st of January 2011 announced the bookings for Fortuner. It must be noted that the bookings for Fortuner had last been opened in July 2010 for a period of one month.

The Fortuner that was launched in Aug 2009 has since sold more than 15000 units acquiring 57% market share in the mid SUV segment. To meet the high demand, the company had increased the production of the Fortuner to more than 950 units per month from the initial 500 units per month.

“The impressive sales recorded by the Fortuner speak of how well it has been received by our customers. Competitive price, powerful engine, exterior styling and a fulltime 4WD makes it a popular buy among SUV owners. The Fortuner has been widely accepted by the masses – individuals, families, corporates and businessmen. The current backlog of around 3000 units will be cleared in about three months. We thank our customers for the unprecedented response received and for being patient through the waiting period .We look forward to serving them.”

posted by carazooblog @ Monday, January 3rd, 2011 0 Comments links to this post

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January 3, 2011

Tata Nano Sales Zoom up to 5K Units in December

The marketing strategies that Tata Motors recently implemented to increase the declining sales of Tata Nano have finally paid off. Nano, which is the world’s cheapest car, is all ready to recover from the falling growth rate for the past five months and post huge sales figure in December.

It is projected that the Nano may achieve sales of around 5,000 units in December after it fell down to 509 units in November, which happened as a result of some spontaneous fires and lack of easy finance, according to top five dealers. In July 2010, Nano registered record sales of 9,000 units before falling down to the current level.

Most Tata car dealers have cleared the backlogs, and have helped enhance the production which had almost stopped at the Nano mother plant at Sanand in Gujarat.

“Sales of the Nano have picked up in the past 10 days. For the momentum to continue, the various schemes launched by the company will have to continue beyond December 31,” said a Mumbai-based dealer. Tata Motors spokesperson declined to comment. Tata Motors launched a number of schemes, such as zero percent finance scheme, 4-year extended warranty and Rs 99 maintenance contract, to lure the customers into buying the Nano. And, looks like they have pretty much succeeded in their endeavor.

“Effective communication has helped the company post better wholesale and retail sales this month. We will see the sales numbers rising in the next few months,” said Abdul Majeed, auto practice leader, PWC.

When the sales of the Nano were at an all time low, the top management of Tata Motors did its best to boost the dealers’ confidence and advocate changes such as staff training. “We have been asked to educate customers about changes in the product and new safety standards,” said a dealer in New Delhi.

While some dealers have cleared their inventories, others are still struggling to clear theirs and are at a disadvantage to bring in new stocks. Industry estimates suggest that Tata Motors will have a tough time clearing the Nano inventories which currently stands at 10,000 units.

Another important thing is that Tata Motors is planning to bring in an upgraded version of the Nano that will have more advanced features such as power steering, five speed gear box, in the first quarter of 2011. The upgraded Nano will be around 5-10% more expensive than the current model.

“The company needs to be cautious on the pricing front as any increase in the price will reduce the gap between the nearest competitors, forcing the customer to make a switch,” said Majeed.