Next Mercedes E-Class will be built in India
Well, Benz seems almost tired of importing cars from abroad to India.
Mercedes-Benz has really been trying to step it up as an economical-luxurious brand auto maker in India. I am glad Merc has finally decided to assemble the next-generation
E-Class at its Pune plant.
BMW has chosen, instead, to market its high-end models in India as completely built-up (CBU) imports.
This Merc dream is expected to come true in the year 2010. Almost about nine months after the international debut of the vehicle. We have seen most of the high-end luxury automakers leaning towards importing their cars as completely built imports. The difference here is that Mercedes didn’t want to leak out any sort of possible chances in exploring itself in the Indian market. Mercedes have already proved its success in assembling
C-Class,
E-Class, and
S-Class lines in India
Chasing the prototype is fun. What say BMW?
Labels: BMW, Car competition, Driving imported cars, Economical buy in luxury segment, Imported models built in India, Mercedes-Benz
Another hit from GM
As said in the previous blog,
General Motors is finally getting on the right track. Committed, optimistic, and competitive in India. It seems as though the judges of
JD Power Asia Pacific gave a quick inspiration to GM. The archetype swing in Indian automotive is about to happen. General Motors has opened the first car design studio in India.
This week’s episode focuses totally on GM. This first car design studio has a capacity to employ 70 peoples by the end of this year. Also the main focus of GM will be on small car designing. Anyway, GM has caught my interest especially because of its commitment to small car manufacturing in India. It looks like it is deep into the importance of small cars and adding this new studio in Bangalore, General Motors now has a total of 11 such studios across the world.
I am sure many of you are now waiting to hear about the product contributions from the Bangalore design studio. Speculations say by 2012 we can expect some hot little GM vehicles from Bangalore. This is surely a creative way to get people interested in Chevy designs.
Labels: Automobile research and development, Chevrolet, General Motors, GM, Ratings on JD Power Quality Study, Special design unit in India
Maruti A-Star Concept to preview in New Delhi Auto Expo
The
Maruti Suzuki saga continues. A rising star from
Maruti Suzuki is in the news today. The first sketches of
Suzuki’s new concept cars, Kizashi and
Splash, have already started circulating the Web. Kizashi has churned out enough ‘Wows’ that seals its success in the future. Defining its knack for cranking out some brilliant concepts,
Suzuki has added one more name for the future: A Star.
The new A Star will be a compact car set to be unveiled at the ninth edition of Auto Expo in January 2008. A-Star is, in fact, the forerunner of
Maruti Suzuki’s global compact car that will be launched in the future. Besides this the A-Star is likely to make its entry in all major auto expos across the world. With its enthusiastically designed new concepts,
Maruti will soon join the elite club of concept cars displayed for the first time in India. While the profitable
Maruti Suzuki India has been in the spotlight with its top rank in JD Power’s India
Customer Satisfaction Index study.
The creator of this splendid concept confirmed that the exported A-Star will come with a Suzuki badge and the domestic market will carry a Maruti badge on the rear. While the other details remain a mystery, we’ll have to wait for the official debut before our “wows” and “ohs”.
Labels: Auto Show, Concept cars, Imported cars, Indian car market, Maruti Suzuki, New launch
Reva introduces her sibling
India’s first electric vehicle
Maini Reva is in the news again. With the
eco-friendly characteristics REVA was first launched in India. It is available in three models: A/C, Standard, and Classe.
REVA is currently testing the waters for a convertible model of their car. This means we will be seeing her brother Zephyr (model name) soon on Indian roads.
REVA recently made news when it
received $ 20 million in funding from various California investors. With more than 180 employees and 6,000 units, REVA is currently available only in this city but the company plans to roll out the car to other parts of the country soon. Zephyr gives the top speed of 65 km/hr and runs on a charge of 80% for 2.5 hours and with 100% charge it runs for 6 hrs.
Labels: Cars in India, Environment friendly engine, Maini, New launch, New look, REVAi
GM trios win JD power honors
Why not us! Maybe this would be the reaction of GM when
Chevy scored hat-trick at the Initial Quality Study released by automotive research firm
JD Power Asia Pacific. In the statistics
Chevrolet Spark leads with a score of 127, followed by
Aveo, and
Optra with 109 and 97 points respectively. Truth on time: that’s what I felt when I heard about this rating. Am sure General Motors is unquestionably on a roll. GM is coming out with some solid stuff that serves the complete needs of a Chevy owner.
Even if Chevrolet cars must not be very well sealed in the Indian market, it has proved its quality in the studies. The JD Power Asia Pacific has ranked Chevy trios based on customer experience after two to six months of ownership. The major factors of the studies are the problems encountered, quality of design and the quality of production. In fact this is the first time three Chevrolet models have ranked highest in their respective segments in the survey. GM’s premium compact car
Chevrolet Aveo U-VA and
MUV Chevrolet Tavera topped second best in their respective segments.
This is GM, world’s largest auto company by production volume, and now they are selling hotcakes in the Indian auto market.
Labels: Car competition, Car manufacturers in India, Chevrolet, GM, Ratings on JD Power Quality Study
Lotus quickly on its way to India
Wishing for more high performance
Sports cars in India? Low, wide, and fast. On Indian roads buyers of high-end high performance
cars are almost nil. The few numbers of
Lambos and
Porsches in India are owned by people who can afford to make their own personal roads to ride these dazzlers.
When Lotus, the British automakers, hinted the possibility of Lotus Elise’s launch in India, I was thinking about the possible drifts it can make in the heart of sports car enthusiasts. Lotus has the design motto "Performance through light weight". Even if you have never got behind the wheels of a Lotus, you have probably heard of it in Formula 1 races.
Now, the company is looking for a partner to set up showrooms in Mumbai and Delhi. Sport Cars from the Malaysian national carmaker Proton is also expected to debut in India with Lotus. These efforts will keep India expecting even before the first
Indian Grand Prix.
Labels: High-end luxury sports sedans, Lamborgini, Launches in India, Lotus, Porsche, Sport Cars
Leyland to launch hybrid commercial vehicles
Ashok Leyland is a big name in the heavy motor vehicle world. However, not many know that it’s Hinduja Group’s Flagship Company too. It plans to launch its next-generation range of
hybrid trucks and buses in the upcoming years. The company is developing electronic shift-by-wire transmission technology and electronic-controlled engine management systems to take fuel efficiency to a new level. This move may have been triggered by
Tata’s
Hydrogen Bus initiative.
According to sources, their aim is to enhance both automotive power and fuel efficiency in the to-be-developed new age vehicles. The electronic shift-by-wire transmission is expected to decrease the fuel consumption by 5 percent. The company is working on both electric battery and bio-fuel modes for its
hybrid range of vehicles in India.
Ashok Leyland has been doubling-up its head count at its technical centre in Chennai. It now has over 600 engineers and researchers, up from a mere 100 in 2003. Even in the R&D, it has been pumping in a lot of cash.
Small cars and
big cars,
Indian car makers are not behind the race with their
global counterparts; as for quality, we will have to wait and drive!
Labels: Ashok Leyland, Auto market competition, Buses and Trucks, Hybrids, Launches in India, Tata
New heart for the base Tata Indigo…
Tata Motors is looking to achieve compact dimensions for its current
Indigo model.
Tata has had to make sheet metal changes to the car, not an easy or cheap option. The
Indigo’s extended wheelbase is the same as is the rear suspension, but the bumper and boot have been chopped to fit the four-meter length.
Once
Tata qualifies for this sop, it will mean a significant reduction in cost of around eight percent on the car’s ex-factory price. For the Indigo, this could work out to be around a Rs. 30,000 reduction depending on the model and
Tata will have to pass on a fair amount of this to buyers, if it is looking to deliver better value. Probably the best part is that the shorter boot section will actually improve the Indigo’s fat-bottom looks.
The Indigo Compact could change the entire dynamics of the entry saloon segment, impacting the
Mahindra-Renault Logan,
Maruti SX4, and various others.
Labels: Car competition, Compact sedans, Indian car manufacturer, Mahindra-Renault, Maruti Suzuki, New look, Tata
Tri-Fuel Hybrid car to Vroooom on Indian roads
Here is another breakthrough in the field of science and technology. India’s first Tri-fuel
hybrid car was launched in the capital recently. What’s more, to add to the news, the car has been developed by the students of a Mechanical Automation Branch of Amity School of Engineering and Technology (ASET). It’s their hard work and dedication that made this launch successful.
This mesmerizing beauty runs on Petrol, LPG, and electricity. It serves the purpose of being economical as well as pollution free. The team of 10 students prepared the car with a budget of
Rs 2.5 lakh. It can run at a maximum speed of 60 km/h using its internal combustion engine and 42 km/h using its batteries.
A little slow we agree but the mileage balances it out. It has been tested successfully for more than 400 kms on Delhi roads to encounter city conditions. You can drive this small miracle for 35-40 miles on one-litre of petrol while on batteries it can run 80-90 kms on a single charge. This eco-friendly, zero emission, and low maintenance car is just what the Indian roads want. Maybe a
manufacturer will pick up the design and have it ready for mass market sale soon.
Labels: Car developed by students, Economical buy, Environment friendly engine, Hybrids, Low emissions, Tri-fuel technology
Nissan X-trail……..Rocks
Driving an
SUV has become a fashion statement. Among the bunch of
SUV’s my favorite is the
Nissan X-trail. It has been a best seller around the world.
Nissan has done the right thing in bringing it to India and especially at the right time when my friend was planning for an
SUV. Even if there are many more models compared to what we had a few years ago, there still aren’t enough choices in this segment. It is bound to give some stiff competition to the other
SUVs.
SUVs are meant to look imposing and rugged. The
X-Trail does look like that to a certain extent. The front may look traditional, but that makes it aggressive. It may not look as modern and sleek as the
Honda CR-V, but I am sure this styling definitely gives it a handsome and class look. As you move over to the side, the alloys grab your attention. The performance is better than many lighter and more powerful
luxury sedans. It beats ALL its competitors in performance. The ride and handling is too good. But the only setback it has is in terms of pricing and if you don’t mind the price tag then, nothing should stop you from driving this cool car!
Article submitted by Rohit MishraLabels: Cool cars in India, Expansion in segment, Honda, Nissan, SUVs
China doesn’t lure auto world anymore, India does!
Buying a car is no more a luxury for Indians, it’s a necessity. For the global automotive industry, China is now a passé, India grabs all their attention. Last year, car sales in India totaled in 1.1 million with compact
hatchbacks accounting for nearly three quarter of that.
Time for
Maruti,
Tata, or
Mahindra to pull up their socks, foreign automakers like
Nissan,
Hyundai, and Renault are aiming big in India. A recent auto survey says that the car market in India is growing at an average of 20 percent a year, outpacing even China.
Nissan already made its entry to the Indian market with
Renault SA of France and Indian automaker
Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd and sold its
Logan like hot cakes early this year. Japan’s carmakers are not behind in this race, the biggies like
Toyota and
Honda have already pronounced their presence here loudly.
Maruti 800,
Alto, or
Santro says small car is always a big hit in India. Incited by
Tata's super-cheap
People’s Car next year,
Nissan and
Renault are projecting a car that may sell for as little as $2,500. And now India’s two-wheeler giant
Bajaj and Renault are discussing the possibilities of ultra inexpensive cars.
With this pace, bicycle and two wheelers may look like extinct products of the auto world.
Labels: Bajaj, Car competition, Car manufacturers in India, Honda, Hyundai, Mahindra, Mahindra-Renault, Maruti, Nissan, Renault, Tata, Toyota
Hydrogen bus in India by 2010
Tata Motor’s Social Responsibility Index will now outsmart many players now. They initiated a green project with Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) for developing a 60-seater proto-model bus powered by gas by 2010. The bus will not run on an engine, but on electric power produced out of a mix of hydrogen and oxygen. It will use hydrogen fuel cell technology as against combustion technology which burns gasoline.
The frame and chassis will be developed by
Tata Motors, and ISRO will provide the fuel technology. The estimated cost of the bus will roughly be Rs 80 Lakh with per kg of hydrogen gas that will have running cost of around Rs 120 per kg or more.
Like CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) enabled public vehicles helped in controlling Delhi’s pollution in the last few years, this new project by
Tata and ISRO is a great step towards climate control and a small step towards scheming Green House Gases (GHG).
Labels: Environment friendly engine, Hydrogen fueled busus, Tata
East or West, Maruti is the best
Ok, am sure that we all know
Maruti Suzuki is the top leading automaker in India. It’s a pretty exciting fact that no matter where you go in India, you can see a
Maruti vehicle. From the last seven years
Maruti Suzuki is the top ranked in JD Power’s India Customer Satisfaction Index study. Continuing in the first position this year
Maruti scored 838 points out of 1000 and the most interesting thing is that
Maruti was the only carmaker to score more than the industry average of 777 points.
According to the JD Power’s India Customer Satisfaction Index study the factors contributing to overall satisfaction are the percentage of problems experienced in a car, service quality, and the user friendly service. Take a look at the maintenance services that
Maruti is providing. I would say it is truly instant, easily accessible, and affordable. Also the problems experienced in Maruti cars are less. I personally have the opinion that
Maruti Services have a very user friendly attitude.
The brands that follow
Maruti in the ranking are
Honda,
Hyundai,
Toyota, and
Ford. These automakers scored 765, 745, 740, and 737 points respectively, making themselves fit in the top four positions after Maruti. Compared to last years score these automakers showed vast improvement in their scores.
Honda,
Skoda, and
Hyundai showed the highest improvement.
Labels: Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Indian car market, Maruti, Maruti Suzuki, Ratings on JD Customer Satisfaction Index, Skoda, Toyota
BMW Mini Cooper in 2009
It looks like new cars from
BMW will be available for sale earlier than expected.
BMW is seriously working on its product and dealership expansions in India. As part of this process, they announced the first launch in line is the Mini Cooper.
BMW has plans to sell 1,200 cars that is an increase from the earlier target of 1,000 units.
Mini will be the first
small car to launch in India from this German automobile giant. Big or small BMW is BMW, so there won’t be any compromise in luxury. This expensive premium small car may cost somewhere around Rs. 15 Lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) in India.
Mini was developed by the Rover Group and manufactured by the British Motor Corporation. Later BMW stripped itself from Rover in 2000 and started working on the Mini project as BMW Mini. India, where small car industry is on boom, will definitely have a high demand for the Mini Cooper.
Labels: BMW, Imported cars, Launch of new car in India, Mini Cooper, Small Car, Small car market in India
Facelift for Tavera from GM
The Indian
SUV market is so competitive that the big boys make no delays.
Tata has recently launched the new
Safari to keep the existing demand of
Safari going and the answer for that from
Mahindra was quick, announcing the launch of the
Scorpio 2.2L Eagle before the end of this year. Now it’s time to see GM defend itself in this hard core competition. GM has announced plans to launch the new
Chevrolet Tavera.
While competition is heating up, GM is right in the firing line as ever before with this limited edition
Tavera. As reports say GM has no plans to launch an all new Tavera with a new engine. It will be a face-lifted version of the existing Tavera with additions in the exterior and interior features. This new Tavera will come out as a limited edition.
This new Tavera has all sort of unique features. Despite the existing features of Tavera the face-lifted Tavera offers a larger grille with a bigger
Chevrolet bowtie and an elongated air dam. Inside, a three spoke steering wheel replaces the existing two spoke and it gets a new instrument panel and a projected central console. The space above the glove box is now covered and is made as an additional glove box. I am sure the other SUVs in the market will line up soon with their new versions to continue to keep themselves in the market.
Labels: Chevrolet, Improved interior features, Limited Edition launch, Mahindra, SUVs, Tata
Get ready to see ODYSSEY in India
ODYSSEY is a specialized
Landrover that will spell the motto as “Get enlightened” when it come to India. We all know about the good faith of Landys in the H.H. Dalai Lama.
I would tell you I am literally waiting for its reach in India on the coming weeks. The round the world premier is one of the most historic, most lively endurance races in the world. Be a part of the world tour with a team of 7 adventurous professionals.
ODYSSEY will be the first foreigners to cross Myanmar (Burma) in over 50 years. From China, ODYSSEY will reach India and further to Pakistan. We can also expect these Landrovers passing through Dharamsala, India, after the special meeting with His Highness Dalai Lama. Get ready to see the ODYSSEY in India. Don’t miss it!
Labels: Driving through India, LandRover, Odyssey, World endurance race
