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Thursday, 31 January 2008
The Car that paved Volkswagen’s way into India
Of course I am talking about the Volkswagen Passat, or as the German’s would pronounce it Pah-saht. The obvious reason that Passat was used as a launch pad by Volkswagen was because it is globally the most successful car from Volkswagen after the Beetle and Golf. The car ranks among the top in Europe and is placed at number four worldwide. Definitely a great record to have when you want to launch your brand in an unexplored territory. I saw a Passat pass by today and was stumped with gorgeous looks. I checked it out on your website and have also read the detailed review you have. It’s pretty cool. Do you have any idea when they will start building this car in India, so that the price comes down? Please let me know if you can. Article Submitted by K SrivastavaLabels: German auto, New launch, Submitted Article, Volkswagen
It’s all about money honey
The sale process of Tata buying Jaguar and Land Rover (JLR) is almost done. Throughout the process, the entire auto industry analysts have unanimously said that the $2-billion reported bid price by Tata is too high and that JLR would be difficult buys at any price looking at their past history. Ford Motors acquired Jaguar in 1989 and Land Rover in 2000. Both companies are now valued at $2 billion. Ford had paid $2.5 billion for the Jaguar and around $2.7 billion for the Land Rover from BMW. It still remains to be seen if Ford will decide to sell these brands to Tata Motors for a loss. The fact that even though these brands saw major losses in 2006, the year 2007 has seen a major turn around. These brands have churned out a profit margin that not only made a mark in 2007, but also covered their losses in 2006. This recently revealed fact is definitely not a good sign in favor of Tata if they are looking for a good bargain. On the other hand, this could encourage Tata to go all guns blazing and acquire the two brands at any cost. I just hope that one of my fav Indian car companies who has seen so much success in the last few years, does not get blinded by the big names that Jaguar and Land Rover represent and dig a hole for itself in the coming year. Article Submitted by J C BoseLabels: BMW, Ford, Jaguar and Land Rover, Submitted Article, Tata
Winning the Localization Game
The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) has come up with a new study, which says that the world’s leading automotive manufacturers and suppliers have been moving assets, products, and manpower to China as well as India. The move is not just to sell cars but also to set up their R&D facilities and their manufacturing and exporting hubs from these two countries.
As an Indian, I am definitely hoping that these big-wigs, when the time comes, will choose India. A move to India completely will not only increase inflow of money, but also provide millions of jobs that will improve the basic standard of living in society. However, with the Indian government at its height of corruption, there is little hope of us winning this battle. I heard one of my friends say that China is giving massive amounts of land with major facilities to whichever manufacturer wants to set up there. The only advantage we have over China is the mass of skilled working people affluent in English. Once China can bridge this gap, they will have the upper hand.
Article Submitted by EC Pandit
Labels: China, Exporting cars, Study, Submitted Article
Hydrogen-driven vehicles to be tested
The government should stress on research for Hydrogen vehicles. Hydrogen is abundantly available in the world. Harnessing this energy for vehicle consumption will free the world not only from pollution but also the green house gases. The Scandinavian country, Norway, will be testing Hydrogen-powered vehicles sometime this summer under the project named ‘Hynor’. The test will be conducted over a 580 km route from the national capital Oslo and Stavanger. The cars will be supplied by the Japanese car manufacturer, Mazda Motor Corporation. Other car makers who are already researching in this field are Honda Motors and Toyota; both of these manufacturers have already churned out successful Hybrid cars. If the project becomes a success, then such tests can be conducted worldwide and replicated. This will ensure a greener tomorrow for the future generation and Indian car manufacturers should start thinking about developing these factions in their upcoming R&D facilities. Article submitted by Rajiv ShuklaLabels: Honda, hybrid cars, Submitted Article, Toyota
Reliance takes first step into the auto industry
Reliance Retail is already into every field of business and now they wanna explore the auto industry. They are setting up a chain of auto stores that will sell all auto accessories. Their first AutoZone will be launched near its Reliance Industries refinery in Jamnagar in Gujarat. The group always starts with a chain of outlets and is expected to open 400 AutoZone stores across the country in another 3-4 years. The store will also provide a service center for both cars and bike and will concentrate on the buying and selling of used cars shortly. With the Indian auto sector booming, Reliance has, once again, found the right pulse to follow. Labels: Accessories, Used cars
Captiva ruling Indian SUV hearts!
General Motors are pampering their ‘ Captiva’ in a big way. After its launch in Delhi and Kolkata, GM launched this premium SUV in Kochi (Kerala). It looks like the Captiva is picking up the Indian car market with unique styling, power, comfort, and last but not least best-in-class safety. This SUV is best suited for urban driving because of its sleek and elegant body and smooth handling. The interior flaunts classy features, smart technology, and cutting-edge design cuts. Captiva is going to be competing against the Mitsubishi Pajero, Nissan X-Trail, Endeavour, Hyundai Tucson and Honda CR-V. I can’t wait to get my hands on this beauty. I have been following its progress for some time now and will be the first in-queue to get behind the wheels and be captivated when it reaches Bangalore. Article Submitted by AshokLabels: General Motors, Submitted Article, SUVs
Schumacher racing towards India to say “Don’t Drink and Drive”
The Formula One living legend, Michael Schumacher, is coming to India in February as part of a campaign to create public awareness on drunken driving. This “Don’t Drink and Drive” was last held in Germany, where it saw grand success with the drinking and driving accident numbers reducing drastically. Schumacher has been associated with several road safety campaigns earlier and is currently acting as the global social responsibility ambassador for 2008 for beverage major Bacardi-Martini Limited.
It is believed that he never drives a car when he consumes liquor. Young men in India should take a cue from this racing master. I got into a fatal accident a couple of years back and lost movement in both my legs. It is getting better now with constant physiotherapy. The reason was a young student driving drunk in his car with his friends.
Drunken driving has resulted in several deaths. Inspite of warnings by the police and various NGO institutes, it seems to have had little impact on the number/rate of accidents. According to statistics, over a million people die, or are seriously injured, or are rendered permanently disabled in India every year.
Be aware. Get educated. It may not be only your life that you take, but someone else’s life as well.
Article submitted by Ratan AK
Labels: Accidents, Formula One, public awareness
Matiz goes topless
Prahalad Kakkar, I don’t think this person needs an intro. The ad guru is the creative brain behind the several major ad campaigns like Pepsi, Britannia and many other successful ads. Though he is not a car freak, he still keeps his first car, an old Vauxhall converted into a Dune Buggy. He learnt driving in this car; he still owns it because of emotional reasons. He currently drives a Daewoo Matiz, re-desgined by another style guru DC (Dilip Chaabria), who converted it into an open-top ‘buggy’. Prahlad had his own idea of how his car should look; he wanted the car to be topless completely, except the windscreen, but he couldn’t turn his idea into reality coz it could weaken the Matiz’s body. So the car was revamped removing the roof planks and also fitted with few metals bars for safety purpose. The four-door Matiz was amputed to two-doors. This is what we call ‘Brains with Beauty’. I wish I had the money to revamp any car I owned! Labels: Car Design, Daewoo
Tuesday, 29 January 2008
Asli-Naqli: Be aware and informed about genuine auto products
This desi flavoured blog may help you differentiate between fake and genuine products in the auto market. In the recently concluded auto show, an ‘Asli-Naqli’ stall came up with noble products to increase awareness and provide information to car lovers about fake car and vehicle parts.
The display not only informed visitors about counterfeits in the market, but also helped them learn how to distinguish genuine products from fakes. The ‘Asli-Naqli’ stall had leading component manufacturers participating to create increased awareness against counterfeiting. A study showed that counterfeit auto products account for almost 35 percent of auto products sold in India.
Wake up and know the Asli from the Naqli! Labels: Auto expo, public awareness
Ratan Tata nominated for Padma Vibhushan
Nano’s godfather Ratan Tata has been nominated for the second highest civilian award Padma Vibhushan. He has already received the Padma Bhushan award in 2000. A little peep into his personal life will reveal the secret of his success. Born to Parsi parents, he is one of the most respected and successful businessmen. After pursuing his assignment for a short period in Los Angeles, California, he returned to his home country and took up responsibility of his family business, turning down an offer from IBM. His hard work and dedication gave him the position of a group chairman in 1991. The first Indian passenger car ‘Indica’ was rolled out by them in 1998. Why am I telling you all this? Because I admire this guy and the achievement he has made shows that anyone, including me, can make it to the top! Article submitted by Crown Jewel Labels: Biography, Nano, Submitted Article, Tata
Jaguar displays new model lines to Tata
I am completely excited about the Jaguar and Tata scenario unfolding in the US. Get set going for the Jaguar-Tata production plan. As per media reports, Jaguar has displayed its new models to the Tata Group, its new parents.
Tata Motors was named as preferred bidder by the car giant Ford for sale of its two Brit luxury brands, Jaguar and Land Rover, after evaluating interests by Mahindra and Mahindra and the private equity firm OneEquity.
This definitely looks like the Ford Group in the US has made up their minds and that soon Indian roads may be swarming with Land Rover and Jaguar brands! Labels: Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Tata
Bollywood actor to drive ‘green wheels’
Global warming is a very serious concern and is worrying everybody. If every individual puts an effort, then we will definitely overcome the environment crisis we face today. The environment’s care has already been initiated, with Indian car makers rolling out electric cars and other options like Hybrids. It is interesting to know that behind their glamorous fame, the Celebs also have a caring and loving heart for nature. Akshaye Khanna, Bollywood actor, who has graced the Indian silver screen with his marvelous performances, opted for greener wheels. Akshaye was so impressed with the concept of an electric car, a compact car clubbed with environmental-friendly features that he thought of contributing in a small but sensible way to save the planet by owning a Maini REVAi. Hope this will prompt others to help ‘Save our Earth’. Labels: Bollywood, Electric Car, Global Warming, Maini
Monday, 28 January 2008
Benz with the ‘C’ touch
‘Agility at your Command’ that’s the new tag line for Mercedes-Benz that launched and updated its ‘C’ segment cars in India. Mercedes has been around with its operations for almost 11 years now in India. C-Class is the most popular model and a worldwide leader in its segment. Mercedes-Benz has always had a special place in the luxury car segment with its widest choice of product. The NEW “C-Class” is more power-packed, spacious, and stylish too. It is longer than its predecessor and the body as well as the wheel base is wider. The interiors are already posh and elegant but with the little changes made it gives total comfort. Benz always retains its elegance and beauty no matter what the changes, but it is definitely a plus to see that this beauty doesn’t take its success for granted. Labels: luxury cars, Mercedes-Benz, New launch
Hyundai to go ‘Public’
Every newspaper, every magazine, and every person, including kids, have been talking about the one-lakh Nano. Let’s take a break from the ‘One Lakh Car’ and divert our mind to something new like …the ‘Public car’. What kind of a car is this?
Hyundai Motors India is putting their brilliant thoughts together to bring out a car that will suit India as well as other eastern countries. This will be again for the small car segment, definitely a tough competitor for Nano. We have to wait for some more time to know more details about it but it is expected to be rolled out in three years.
Hyundai’s others models like the Santro in the B segment, Getz Prime, i10 in the B+ segment, the Accent and Verna in the C segment, the Elantra in the D segment, the Sonata Embera in the E segment, and the Tucson in the SUV segment are already a success. Only time can tell who is going to rule the road - the ‘Peoples car’ or the ‘Public car’? Labels: Hyundai, Nano, One Lakh Car
Indian F1 Challenger to be unveiled
Great news for Formula1 fans! A new challenger from Force India F1, owned by Vijay Mallya, will be showcased in Mumbai. It will make its debut in Barcelona next month, Feb 2008. That’s a few weeks from the season’s first grand prix. The car will start with a three-day test. Force India F1 is a Formula One motor racing team formed in October 2007. This team is the result of the agreement signed between Vijay Mallya and Michel Mol who invested close to Rs. 5 Billion and bought the Spyker F1 team. The Work-In-Progress Challenger was released at Birmingham and even though it looks like the same old Spyker, there are noticeable differences like an enhanced gear box. The final track model will be worth following. I wish they make a serious bid for the championship this time rejoicing their victory from the podium, making India proud.
Submitted by Raghavan Labels: Formula One, Mumbai, Racing
Engine maker comes to India
India continues to attract hordes of car manufacturers; another Italian firm VM Motori has joined the bandwagon. The company is planning to establish an engine manufacturing facility in India. The total production is estimated to be 40,000 engines annually.
VM Motori would cater to car manufacturers and other vehicle segments as well. The initial investment is expected to be Rs 88 Crore. Presently the company is scouting for an Indian partner and trying to finalize a partnership deal. The company wants to have an equal presence in north and south India. Another step forward in India’s evolution of turning into a car manufacturing hub. Labels: Foreign Investment, Italian
Friday, 25 January 2008
Tata Sumo Grande
(Arun Kumar narrates his experience at the opening day of the Auto Expo that happened recently)
My new year can’t get any better than it already has as today I managed to get entry into the first day of the Auto Expo here in Delhi. I’ve been in this freezing city for the past two days and all dinner conversations have been about the Auto Expo. Today being my last day here as I fly home tomorrow evening, I decided to make a few calls and see if there was any way I could be sneaked into this highly exclusive preview day. Well, as luck would have it, friends were able to pull strings. All they said was, just go there and walk past gate no. 7 and see if anyone stops you. If they do, just say press aadmi and you should sail through. My friends were right. I sailed through! First impressions Pragati Maidan is huge! It takes approx. 15 minutes to walk from one place to another. But the Gods were kind to me as I got to witness almost all the launches in the first half of the day. The first launch that I caught [10:30 am] TATA Sumo Grande was kind of significant for me as my interest lies heavily in the utility vehicles segment. Unfortunately there weren’t too many on display today, unless I just couldn’t find all of them in that vast desert of a venue. But coming back to the Sumo Grande, I have to say that it’s a very impressive effort from TATA Motors. I missed the pre-launch hungama as that was for press aadmis only, but drama is not my cup of tea anyway. I got to see the car up close and take a few pictures and that was enough. First impressions it reminded me of the Scorpio from a side angle, but that’s not such a bad thing as it’s a welcome change from the bread box looking Sumo Victa. It’s a good thing that the makers have finally paid some attention to styling and looks. The interior is very comfortable with beige interiors and a height adjustable driver’s seat. It’s also got a 2.2 DICOR engine that claims to give 16 kpl. Well that’s still left to be seen, but I will agree that the Grande is loaded with features. Things I could take note of: Dual AC with separate louvers for the second and third row seats, Tilt adjustable steering Height adjustable driver’s seat, Electric ports for both front and rear passengers, Puddle lamps, and Comfortable 5-speed gear shift Speakers on doors. It comes fitted with Alpine CD/MP3 player with 6 speakers and a USB port, Large clear lens headlamps and a cutaway air dam in the front. Not bad, I thought the rear is very bus-like though. But, at least it’s got the spare wheel under the floor, which makes it a tad neater. It’s got the same sporty alloys as the Safari. I know TATA Motors is in the spotlight for its One-Lakh so called miracle car, but honestly, my expectations aren’t too high about it. But with the Grande, I had no clue about its launch, which is supposed to happen sometime in Feb. I like the looks of it. The styling has definitely improved, the colours are more attractive and so is the price. Delhi Ex-Showroom is Rs 6.55 Lakh for the Sumo Grande LX [Base model] and Rs 7.49 Lakh for the Sumo Grande GX [top end]. Submitted by Arun KumarLabels: Auto expo, New launch, Submitted Article, Tata
Does India dare?!
After the recent auto expo, I have noticed that there has been slightly less emphasis on the Mercedes and BMW makers in the media. Many of the car enthusiasts would have liked to know more about these luxury cars, as they have something new to offer every time. However, the media space was completely taken by the small cars. The news channels and information portals covered very little about these luxury brands.
I, for once, would have enjoyed seeing a proper assessment of these cars by Indian anchors. I wonder if Indian car analysts just take these makers quality for granted as good and so don’t say much, or that they do not have the daring to question the quality of such highly-acknowledged brands?
Article submitted by Rashmi
Labels: luxury cars, small cars
Apollo Breaking Ice in Europe!
Cars were not the only thing on the podiums at the Expo. There were more accessories and parts for cars as well. The cars looked great, but I was impressed with the Apollo section at the Expo. Apollo Tyres displayed its winter tyres - Acelere Ice and Hawkz Ice, for passenger vehicles. This icy range of winter tyres will cater to the European and North American markets, where they are recommended to change their car tyres to tackle the subzero temperatures and road conditions during the winter season. Now what is the difference between a regular tyre and a winter tyre? I didn’t know, so I Googled it. The differences lie in the compounding and tread patterns used. Acelere Ice and Hawkz Ice utilize advanced technology to give greater suction capability. The Ice range will also help Apollo Tyres Ltd ensure a round-the-year total brand experience for its export market across the globe. This would be the first time that an Indian tyre company is manufacturing winter tyres for the European market. Pretty COOL I think! Labels: Auto expo, European, Tyres
Malaysia truly Asia…..Now India
We have Japanese, Koreans, and Europeans and now it’s going to Malaysians who are going to try their luck in the Indian auto market. Proton cars are manufactured by Perusahaan Otomobil Nasional Sdn Bhd (Proton), based in Malaysia. The second-generation Proton Saga has just launched a new version of their model.
I saw these cars being ridden around when I was in Kuala Lampur and my first thought was - not bad, pretty cool! I did a little research. The Proton Saga, from the sedan class, was the first Proton model, based on the Mitsubishi Lancer Fiore. It rolled off for the first time in September 1985. The 100,000th Proton Saga was produced in January 1989. It still retains its glory as the best top-selling model even though there are more advanced models in Malaysia now, most probably because of its affordable price.
The company plans to focus on the Indian auto market like every other foreign investor. They will also focus on Southeast Asia, China, and Australia. However, no set date can be found anywhere on the net as to when these guys want to launch the Proton in India. Could be good competition to existing sedans in India.
Labels: Imported cars, Malaysia, Sedans
Thursday, 24 January 2008
Tata Goes Electric
Tata plans to come up with an electric car. I am happy to note that Tata Motors has considered making a green car for Indian roads. On one hand the company is manufacturing Nano, which is likely to raise pollution levels in India even though they claim that it has passed the Euro emission tests, and on the other hand there is a plan for an electric car. The company seems to be heading in all directions. It seems it is in a tearing hurry to make it big in the car industry. Tata need to thoroughly think of a strategy to make good feasible cars for the use of the common middle-class man across the world. Electric cars have performed poorly in India mainly because of re-charging problems, low output, and absolutely no help as petrol bunks. Tata needs to develop a performance oriented electric car if it wants to compete in this line of cars being manufactured. Submitted by RajuLabels: Electric Car, Nano, Submitted Article, Tata
Beetle Rally Beautifies Bangalore Roads
It seems like the bugs came swarming into the streets of Bangalore on January 20, 2008. The sight was a beauty to behold. The Volkswagen Beetle car rally was the main attraction. The ‘Herbie’ car rally was the first of its kind in the country. Fifteen vintage Beetle cars went across the busy roads of the city like a royal procession decked up in bright, newly painted colors carrying the Volkswagen flag on their front. Beetle reminds me of a lost world charm. I was overjoyed on seeing the rally in Bangalore. It came as a surprise when 15 cars rolled beside my 800 on MG road. They looked more majestic and elegant than any other small car I have set my eyes on. I hope this car rally has inspired many more car lovers to participate in such vintage car rallies. Submitted by RajuLabels: Bangalore, Submitted Article, Vintage cars, Volkswagen
Nano to Super Nano
Dilip Chaabria, the style guru of Indian cars does not spare any car without adding his creativity to it. He has used his fabulous imagination to create quite a few small wonders. DC’s Ambierod at the Auto Expo changed the look of our oldie Ambassador giving it new life. Amby’s redesign proved that with little creativity and hard work, any car can look posh and trendy. Now DC has laid his hands on the yet to be launched Tata ‘ Nano’. It is already a funky, small looking marvel and he will customize it to look more or less like a spaceship. What has he done to the ‘Nano’? He groomed everything starting from gull wing doors to the xenon and LED light panel to wider wheels, and equipped it with the fastest bike power engine of 1400cc called Hayabusa – a power monster that will turn this cutie into a roller-coaster. The interiors were also loaded with next generation gadgets like a PC screen featuring internet, navigation, games, and, last but not least, a customized instrumental panel. This is a great design for the next generation Nano car, but definitely no where related to the price tag of the current Nano. Wonder if Tata will bring this version out sometime in the near future at a higher price tag. Labels: Auto expo, Car Design, Tata
Delhi to Detroit: Nano above green angst
The Nano made a big debut at the Delhi Auto Show. The talks of Nano even reached the ears of Detroit. Detroit is currently holding the biggest auto fair in North America, and Tata’s cheap car is again the centre of attention. Despite a Chinese SUV that debuted at the show at Detroit at generated a lot of interest, the Nano initiated a discussion among car lovers and media across the state. A section of the international media went further to say that the car held centre stage at the Detroit show and it was not even on display. Nice to see a desi car ruling the car industry and media across the globe surpassing the green angst. Labels: Auto Show, Tata
Wednesday, 23 January 2008
Mobile TV in Cars
One need not worry anymore about being separated from the TV while driving around in a car. Live TV is now here for Indian cars. The Essel group-owned Dish TV is holding talks with General Motors, Ford, and Ashok Leyland to install mobile TV antennas on their cars and trucks. This facility will be added only on premium models by the car manufacturers. The company has already come out with two products - the Speed Ray which beams 100+ channels and the T5 with 70 channels. Installation charges for the Speed Ray is Rs 1.5 Lakh, while the T5 will cost Rs 70,000. The products will be available only in Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. Subscription fees will be the same as the home subscription fees for Dish TV. Car owners can now drive in peace while children and rear seat passengers sit glued to the TV sets. Labels: car accessory, Car competition, Luxury car segment
Pooja in showrooms
New car buyers in New Delhi are a delighted lot. Car dealers are now offering a pooja ceremony for new cars before they are rolled on to the street. Many dealers have hired priests for this. Car owners no longer have to take their new cars to crowded temples and wait for a priest to arrive. The ceremony is now completed at the showrooms as a value added service. Dealers might have struck the right promotional note with this move. Labels: New Car, Promotional campaign, value added service
Rolls-Royce’s global sales are rocking
Rolls-Royce has picked up its global car sales by 25% as compared to their figures in 2006. Apparently, this is the first time ever that Rolls-Royce has reached four digit sales figures after going global in 2003. They returned to India after a gap of 50 years, launching the Phantom super luxury sedan in 2005. The Phantom has been very popular in India. Apart from India, Rolls-Royce saw outstanding sales in the U.A.E. and China where the car manufacturer has grown by more than 50%. However, North America still remains the biggest single market for Rolls-Royce. Labels: car manufacturers, Luxury sedan, Rolls Royce
Honda Accord: A Cool Sedan
In India, one of the most impressive models from Honda is the ‘Accord’. It’s a nice and sturdy car with classy interiors. It’s also ahead in terms of performance and technology. The 2.4-litre i-VTEC engine is one of the best from Honda and luxury features on the car are unparalleled. To a certain extent, the car can even be compared with the Mercedes-Benz ‘C’ class and the BMW 3 Series.
The Honda Accord is definitely a blast with features like G-Force control technology, adjustable steering with volume control buttons and automatic headlights. The car redefines safety, luxury and comfort in its segment. It’s one of the coolest sedans around. Go ahead and pamper yourself with the Accord. Submitted by Gopal M. Labels: BMW, car comparison, Honda, Mercedes-Benz
Tuesday, 22 January 2008
The Love Bug is here to Capture Indian Hearts
The well known “Bug” is soon coming to India and most people who do not mind spending close to 13 or 14 Lakh for a small car will be in line to bring “Herbie” into their garages like they took it into their hearts when the movies came out. The Volkswagen Beetle has been a favourite among the youth in America and Europe for decades and it will hope to see the same sort of success in India.
The Beetle shown in the Delhi Expo had a new look that still retained its stylish Bug-like appeal, but also added some finesse and luxury to the outside and inside styling. The Nano is the now people’s car, but the Beetle was the first ever people’s car launched in its time.
With loans and EMI’s easily accessible in the Indian market, the earning youth would definitely fancy travelling in this once common people’s car that is now a legend! Labels: Auto expo, Small cars market in India, Volkswagen
Greener with e-on
The Maini Revai was, till now, the only electric car in India. A team of aspiring engineers at IIT Mumbai have developed a prototype for a futuristic electric car and are calling it the ‘e-on’. Compared to Revai’s top speed of 80 km/h, the prototype is far slower and can reach a maximum of just 30 km/h. Also, the new car can seat only 2 compared to Revai’s capacity of 4 passengers. On full charge, the e-on can travel upto 50 kms. Like Revai, the e-on has an electric front wheel drive configuration and will not require petrol or diesel to run. E-on is fully controlled by a joystick much like playing a computer game. A small push of the lever can accelerate the car and a small pull can decelerate it. Looks like driving is going to be child’s play soon! Labels: Electric Car, Maini Reva, Prototype
Nano to repeat the history of Fiat 500
In recent days, I am only hearing about the Nano as the first small car to hit the auto market in the world. How can it be called the first small car when Fiat had already launched such type of a small car long back? Going down memory lane, one of the biggest auto manufacturing companies, Fiat, tried its luck in making the world’s first small car and had launched the “Fiat 500” with much fan fare in 1957. This car had created so much flutter in the auto industry, especially in the European market, that within a span of a few months after launching this small car, the sale of two-wheeler had come down drastically in Europe. Most families opted for Fiat 500 and it has still remained as the first choice for many people opting for small cars in Europe. As far as the Nano is concerned, it should not be called the first small car ever made in the world with people in mind. However, it might be the first car in the world to hit the roads with as low as a Rs 1 Lakh tag. The Nano can be credited and labeled as the first 1 lakh car in the world not as the first small car in the world. At first sight, the Nano looks like a replica of the Fiat 500. The shadow of the Fiat 500 can be noted in various parts of the Nano. In terms of design, style, a rear-end engine, and fuel efficiency, one cannot see much changes between the two cars. Nano is undoubtedly the pride of the Indian auto industry and it will definitely become an integral part in shaping India's car market history.
Article Submitted by N Vishnuprathap
Labels: Auto market competition, Fiat, Small cars market in India, Tata
Bank loans for Nano
The much hyped 1-lakh car “Nano” made its appearance at the recent Auto expo in New Delhi. It has come as a blessing in disguise to many banks and financial institutions that over the years have helped millions of Indian middle class families to own two- and four-wheelers. Now, many banks are considering special loan schemes for the Nano on the lines of two-wheeler loans. It shouldn’t be a matter of surprise that in the near future, banks and financial institutions will call up prospective customer offering them a loan for the Nano. The loan is expected to cover both the cost of the car as well as its running cost. Public as well as private banks would definitely take this opportunity to expand their business. The only worrying factor among people could be the rate of interest on such a loan because the current interest rates on car loans are very discouraging. According to a survey, it’s confirmed that the rate of interest on Tata’s new small car could be a bit higher than other car loans. For a loan amount as low as 1 lakh for a car, a slight push in interest rates shouldn’t really make a big difference to people eyeing the car. Labels: 1 lakh car, car loan, small cars, Tata Motor
Monday, 21 January 2008
Selected few to sell Nano
The most wanted ‘Tata Nano’ may not be available at all Tata showrooms when it’s up for sale later this year. It seems that the company, in the first phase, will award dealership rights for the Nano to only a few chosen ones. Of the total of 170 dealers in India, only one in every city or region will be selected. Dealerships will be increased in phases.
The company has also devised a new marketing strategy. The Nano will not be available through bookings and instead will be available directly off the shelf! Just like fast moving consumer goods. Now that’s something we’ve never seen before.
Labels: Dealers, Tata-cars, Tata-Nano-Cars-India
Thursday, 17 January 2008
Mahindra decides to go green
The green car concept is fast catching up with Indian companies. Mahindra and Mahindra will be investing US $ 25.4 million to adopt better emission standards. The new range of hybrid vehicles is likely to be implemented in the hugely popular Scorpio and Bolero vehicles.
The newly engine will be developed in accordance with the US emission norms. Mahindra has entered the US market in 2007. The demand for green vehicle is rising in US and more and more companies are adopting the green car concept. It has already come up with a newly improved engine M-Hawk, which is currently under production. The company is investing in research for bio-diesel variants and battery powered cars. Labels: Emission-free, hybrid cars, Mahindra and Mahindra, Scorpio
Guru of car designing gives a new challenge
Why are Indian cars usually boring in terms of design? Recently, a premier TV channel asked this question to Dilip Chhabria, the best known and most successful automobile designer in India. He in turn replied, “ Indian cars are boring because when they are on the drawing board, companies try to cater to the masses only. Naturally, they want to play safe and go by the general demand. Another thing is who’ll do it. Indian companies do not have global competency in design. Most importantly, it’s dictated by Indian needs. Indian cars are mostly driven by drivers, so there has to be more space at the back. While in the US and Europe, it’s vice versa, hence more scope for experimenting with the design.” When the entire world is eyeing Indian car market, does the designer’s response post a new challenge to Indian car owners and car manufacturers? Labels: Auto market competition, Car Design, Indian car market
E-auto dropped because of Nano
It seems that Nano is not only threatening the two wheeler market, but also the three wheeler manufacturers. A Gujarat based Electrotherm India which was planning to launch e-auto rickshaw has been forced to shelve its project. The 780-crore Electrotherm India had moved to producing electric bikes and new brands of three wheelers. The company had conceived a three wheeler with 48 volt battery and can reach a maximum power of 48 kmph. The device could also be fitted in diesel driven Bajaj autos. However the three-wheeler price was said to start from Rs 1.2 lakh. The advent of Nano, the world’s cheapest car has forced the company to drop all further processes. It remains to be seen whether the Nano wave will wash many more such concepts and projects as its advances. Labels: 1 lakh car, Diesel cars, Ultra cheap cars
Hyundai QarmaQ, more advanced than ever
Designed at Hyundai’s Europe's Design and Technical Center in Russelsheim, QarmaQ is Hyundai's Advanced Technology Demonstration Vehicle (ATDV) showcased at least 30 environment friendly technologies at the 2008 Auto Expo in New Delhi. The innovative solution is created to reduce severe injures in Utility Vehicles (CUV) pedestrian collisions. Everyone things of car owners, Hyundai’s innovative technology things of commoners also, thanks to that! The design concept, QarmaQ also shows environmentally responsible solutions, which is elegantly incorporated to enhance safety. Moreover, it's 2-liter diesel engine is fully compliant with EURO5 emission regulations. It sports all the latest technologies like, high-pressure fuel injection and fine fuel spray atomization for higher torque and better power output. Hyundai have definitely doing more on progressive technologies. Labels: Auto expo, Environment friendly cars, Hyundai
Captiva-ting Competition
Big is big! The 2008 Auto Expo saw the launch of a new SUV from Chevrolet into the Indian market.
Over the past two years, SUVs have gained a lot in popularity. From Tata’s Safari to Maruti Suzuki’s Grand Vitara or from Honda’s CR-V to Mitsubishi’s Pajero, almost every car manufacturer has one or more SUV models to boast of. Even the luxury brands haven’t left anything to imagination. BMW with its X3 and X5 models, Audi with Q7, Mercedes-Benz with M-Class and Volvo with the XC90 are a few examples.
Chevrolet has brought in the Captiva at a time when the competition in the SUV segment is really rough. With a price tag of around Rs. 18 lakh, the Captiva is pitted against popular models such as Honda CR-V, Ford Endeavour, Hyundai Tucson, Suzuki Grand Vitara, Mitsubishi Pajero and Nissan X-TRAIL. And those are just the models already present in the market. A lot of new SUV models are being considered for launch by many manufacturers and will arrive in the country soon. Hyundai has already showcased its new SUV - the Santa Fe at the Auto Expo and Volkswagen is eager to launch the Tiguan SUV.
Though loaded with a good array of features, the Captiva is priced a little too high at Rs. 18 Lakh. It’s more expensive than many of its competitors and is priced nearly equal to the very popular CR-V and Pajero. The Tata Safari with its good list of accessories and standard features and attractive price tag of Rs. 11 Lakh has lured many SUV buyers. GM hopes that the Captiva’s captivating looks, thoughtful interiors and new generation diesel engine will see it through. Labels: Auto expo, Chevrolet, General Motors, New launch, SUVs
MapmyIndia Navigation on GM Cars
MapmyIndia has tied up with General Motors to provide its navigation system as a standard accessory on all premium Chevrolet cars in India. The MapmyIndia PND (Portable Navigation Device) is a satellite-connected in-car GPS device that provides voice-guided turn-by-turn direction instructions and is considered one of the best products on the market.
The PND is a perfect fit for cars and can show the way to any destination across India. It allows safe and hassle-free driving. The driver doesn’t have to worry about being lost anywhere as the car can be tracked well through satellite-linked technology. The gadget determines the car’s location through 18 major cities and 55,000 towns and villages.
The device is not just about tracking and direction finding. It also entertains with movies and music playback on a large colour touch screen. It will be available for sale as a genuine GM accessory at all 75 GM dealerships soon. Labels: Accessories, Chevrolet, General Motors
Hyundai sets new benchmarks
Hyundai’s new model i10 has bagged several awards to make the car manufacturer proud. Hyundai has a distinguished track record in winning awards - Santro won the car of the year award in 1998, Getz in 2005 and the Verna in 2006.
The i10 has bagged awards for excellence in build quality, handling, driver comfort, safety, and ride quality. BS Motoring awarded it with the ‘Car of the year’ award. It scored a hatrick by winning the same award at the NDTV Car & Bike Awards and at the 9th Overdrive awards. The model has also received the ‘Automotive Critics Choice’ award for driving excellence.
With the launch of this great car, Hyundai has set new benchmarks in the small car segment. Encouraged by the huge success of this new model, Hyundai is already considering the introduction of an upgraded version of the i10 called the i20. Labels: Awards, Hyundai
GM to ‘Spark’ up with new variants
General Motors is having another go at the small car segment by introducing new variants for its hatchback model ‘Spark’.
Hoping to ride on the popularity of Daewoo’s Matiz, General Motors (GM) had introduced the small car ‘Spark’ in the middle of 2007. The Spark retained most of Matiz’s exterior styling but had better features and improved handling compared to the Matiz. But the much-hyped model saw very slow sales initially and didn’t entirely live up to GM’s expectations.
Now GM plans to launch newer variants of the Spark. They are concentrating on the development of a second manufacturing plant at Talegaon in Maharashtra. New variants of the Spark will be produced here and will hit the roads later this year. We hope the new variants are available in more colours and with more interior space. Labels: Chevrolet, General Motors, Hatchbacks, New launch
Monday, 14 January 2008
Diesel cars care for the environment
India’s love for diesel cars is well known. Many car manufacturers are selling more diesel cars than petrol. However pollution experts are crying hoarse that diesel cars emit more toxic gases than petrol cars. This is not true. Diesel engines have undergone a lot of development in the last six years. Surprising but true. Diesel engines emit less carbon-dioxide than petrol cars. Carbon dioxide is responsible for greenhouse gases which causes global warming. The other advantage of diesel cars is that they emit 75 to 85 percent less toxic fumes than their predecessors in the 90’s. The engines deliver 10 per cent more energy efficiency per liter than petrol engines. Indians have been unconsciously doing the right thing by purchasing diesel cars and I am one of them. I put in a lot of research into this, because of a debate I had with a friend and I have proved my point. Article submitted by JDLabels: Diesel cars, Diesel emission, Popular types of cars in India
Chevy’s new SUV ‘Captiva’ launched
Chevrolet has experienced great success with the Aveo Sedan, Aveo U-VA, Optra Magnum, SR-V, and Tavera. GM has offered cars in all segments in India. Now, with the unveiling of the Captiva SUV at the 2008 Delhi Auto Expo, they have become strong contenders in the SUV market. The Captiva is a compact SUV empowered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel engine that features common-rail direct injection technology delivering 150 bhp. The ergonomically designed interior makes driving in the Captiva a joy. GM will prize the Captiva at around Rs.18 Lakh. The commercial launch of the Captiva is expected to take place in September 2008. I can’t wait to get my hands on this model. However, the Tavera wasn’t all that great, so I am definitely going to go for a test drive before I pull my money out. Labels: Chevrolet, Expansion in Indian auto industry, New launch, SUVs
Saturday, 12 January 2008
Our favorite Amby turns 50
It's time for celebration! Ambassador, from Hindustan Motors (HM) celebrates its golden jubilee. This oldie, who ruled the Indian roads for 50 long years, is the oldest automobile brand in India. Born in 1957 in Uttarpara in Kolkata, Ambassador was originally based on 1948 Morris Oxford and later on Land master. Amby, as it commonly known, was sold 15,000 units per month. This was the only Indian-made vehicle that could be upgraded to a bullet-proof version. With the new generation car, Amby has lost its place in the auto market but it still a carries charm. Some of the central and state governments, as well as the tourism sector are still among its most loyal customers. HM plans to Pamper Amby with a new limited edition model called the ‘The Golden Amby’ with new ceremonial color, upholstery, and fittings, but it will retain its bulky lines, along with the legendary “bench seat” at the front. HM will also introduce a new model every year that will run on either LPG, CNG, Petrol, or Diesel; and to add a little spice it will be also enhanced with sunroof. So many new generation cars have come and vanished but Amby still retains its position in everyones heart. Truly said ‘Old is Gold’ and Amby will always be India’s favourite. Labels: Anniversary, Hindustan Motors, Limited Edition, New Model
How much does the ‘Nano’ cost?
Tata Motors’ ambitious One Lakh Car the ‘Nano’ has finally happened but how honest is it in terms of price? Will the Nano really cost just 1 lakh rupees?
What I know is that it will be offered in 3 variants and only the base variant will have an ex-showroom price of one lakh. To know exactly how heavy it’s going to be on your pockets, you’ll have to wait until October when the Nano will be commercially launched. I can tell you this much though… if you are saving exactly one lakh for this car, you might find yourself falling a little short when you go to purchase it. Don’t forget that you’ll be paying VAT, octroi and related taxes for the car. The price is definitely going to cross the ‘one lakh’ mark by a few thousand. I’m thinking 1.4 Lakh. Still a good price for a car though.
Submitted by R. Raghavan Labels: One Lakh Car, Prices, Submitted Article, Tata
The Auto Expo Classic Parade
It’s was a time when people looked-back and rejoined the old glory at an Auto Expo where new wheel machines were making a huge entry into the Indian car market. The Heritage Motoring Club of India (HMCI) displayed the largest collection of vintage and classic cars at the Auto Expo this Tuesday in New Delhi. They called it the “The Auto Expo Classic Parade”. HMCI drove down at least 100 vintage and classic cars and over 59 such motorbikes on the 1st day of the Expo. The Union Youth Affairs and Sports Minister flagged-off the display. Labels: Auto expo, Car Club, Vintage cars
Skoda: the saga continues…
Skoda India, the wholly owned arm of Czech-based Skoda Auto, has completed 6 successful years in India. The Indian auto market has provided a lucky boost to Skoda’s fading image elsewhere. The extraordinary success achieved by Skoda is evident from the series of awards won by the company over the past six years. Skoda has taken won accolades in all fields be it performance, styling or technology. In terms of sales, the company has sold over 47,000 units since its entry and has so far set up 50 dealerships across the country. Much of Skoda’s success can be attributed to them confidently having invested in the production facilities to bring up the capacity of produced cars to 40,000 per year. Skoda expressed its gratitude to the Indian government and to the city of Aurangabad for providing them with an opportunity to prove themselves in the country’s auto market. Right now Skoda is eagerly looking forward to the launch if its premium hatchback ‘Fabia’ at the ongoing Auto Expo. Labels: Anniversary, Auto expo, Indian Government, Skoda
Thursday, 10 January 2008
Hello …I am ‘Nano’
Everyone’s wait for Tata’s One-Lakh Car is finally over. The much awaited people’s car has been unveiled at the largest Auto Expo that India has ever seen. The name chosen is “Nano” that represents its size and technology used.
Guesses about this car’s name were making rounds in various forums and blogs. The various options explored were Jeh, Miracle, IndiOne, Indi-Va, Tata-1, and even Atom. The strongest competition was between the name ‘Nano’ and ‘Jeh’, since “Jeh” are the first three letters taken from the name Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy, founder of the Tata Empire, JRD Tata. I guess ‘Nano’ is the ideal name for this car with its in-built ‘nano’ technology.
Now the wait starts for the ‘Nano’ to be commercially launched. The expected month of launch is October in the midst of Diwali. Labels: Auto expo, New launch, One Lakh Car, Tata
‘Grande’ revealed
Tata Motors has launched the much awaited Sumo ‘Grande’, a new version of its popular MUV. It will be up for sale within the first week of February. The model will be available in two variants and both variants will be powered by a 2.2-litre DiCor engine. The Grande is styled to look like a SUV and drive like a sedan. Tata Motors expects the new model to increase Sumo sales by 30 percent. The Grande will be priced between Rs 6.55 lakh and Rs 7.49 lakh. Tata can only hope that the Grande will bring back the grandeur that the Sumo once had. Labels: MUVs, New launch, Tata
Volvo’s convertible launched
One more attraction for youngsters at the 9th Auto Expo. Volvo has launched the convertible C70. There aren’t a lot of convertibles on our roads yet and we don’t see people feeling the air rush through their hair while they drive. No wonder then why Volvo has brought the convertible along. The C70 comes after Volvo’s recent launch of its luxury sedan S80 and the SUV XC90. The convertible will hit Indian roads soon. The most interesting feature of the C70 is its three piece retractable hardtop that can transform the vehicle from a convertible to a coupe within seconds of pressing a button. The company has so far not specified an exact date for the launch, but expressed its desire to enter the model into the Indian market. Volvo is making their models available as CBUs (Completely Built Units) which attracts a high percentage of import duty. The models are completely built outside India and then imported. Most likely the C70 too will be a CBU and its price would start somewhere around Rs 40 lakh. A late entrant to the India bandwagon of cars, Volvo has managed to sell 500 units across the country so far. The C70 is the most attractive model from them yet. Labels: Auto expo, Convertibles, luxury cars, Volvo
Robots vs. Humans
While reading a recent interview of Honda Motors’ chief operating officer for South Asia, I came across him saying that they have brought robots from Europe for their Indian facility. The ultra modern and sophisticated robots are engaged in the painting division. No doubt Honda has able robots. Honda is credited with having created the most advanced humanoid robots popularly called ASIMOs. The latest ASIMO is capable of providing uninterrupted service to office guests. So Honda has brought in robots to replace their painting division. But what needs to be highlighted is that when unemployment runs so high in the country and the automobile sector being one of the largest employment sectors, a company like Honda Motors thinks it’s fine to let robots do some work too. In contrast, Tata and Maruti are fine examples of employee recruitment and satisfaction. A recent study has revealed that car buyers were inclined to choose Maruti products because of high employee satisfaction within the car company.
I am of the opinion that Robots are fine where labour shortage is a problem. But it’s impractical to engage in such moves where there is surplus labour available. I own one of Honda’s cars and am impressed with the quality of their engineering. But when i ponder over the effect of such tactics from employers in all manufacturing facilities and domains, I can’t help but worry. It would please me greatly to know that skilled Indian hands are at work at Honda Motors’ plant in Manesar. Submitted by Ramesh H. M. Labels: Honda, Jobs, Maruti, Tata
Wednesday, 9 January 2008
Fabia fever: Will it remain after the Expo
As it is, Auto Expo 2008 has been in the news. Skoda is set to showcase its premium hatchback Fabia at the Expo. The Fabia has taken a seat next to Tata’s one lakh car in terms of popularity. An unexpected delay of the model’s launch last year resulted in a long list of news articles and blogs on the Czech-based car manufacturer’s new model. Internet forums buzzed with speculations and rumours about the car. The Fabia has generated a lot of interest in people not because it’s a new small car, but because it will compete not only with other small cars but also with several mid-size sedans. Whether public interest in the Fabia will continue to remain after the upcoming Auto Expo and the model’s launch is debatable. Honda’s small car ‘Jazz’ which is expected to launch towards the end of the year is already in the news. The long list of cars set for launch this year could also prove to be a distraction. Labels: Auto expo, New launch, Skoda
Mahindra gets GR design studio
“Mahindra Global Designing Company” sounds weird but it’s true. Mahindra & Mahindra Motors, a company which started off making tractors heralding the Indian green revolution is now diverging into automotive design. It seems M&M has set its eyes on becoming a global auto design centre. It is set to acquire GR-Grafica Ricerca Design Srl, an Italian auto designing, body engineering and feasibility company. GR’s 60-strong design team is highly experienced in the area of automotive design. After acquisition, the new subsidiary will be called “Mahindra Graphic Research and Design”. Through this acquisition, M&M will get a strong foothold in the European car manufacturing business. The deal is expected to be wrapped by the end of January. Considering the latest progress of Indian Companies in the auto world, the next best selling world car might come from India. Labels: Acquisition, Car Design, Mahindra and Mahindra
Car designer fumbles over costs
A lot of mystery surrounds the launch of Tata Motors’ one lakh car. Its design has created a huge interest in top auto designers across the world. Recently, Formula One designer Peter Stevens brooded over the design of an Ultra Low Cost Car (ULCC). He likes to call it his biggest challenge so far. Stevens has been associated with the Formula One team and has designed powerful cars including the McLaren F1, Lotus Espirit and the MGSV Sports car. But what’s makes the design of the cheap car difficult is that it has to be built with simple instruments and the simplest of mechanisms. Maintaining low production costs would be priority. After thinking about it for some time, he was able to outline a few key points to focus on with the design. He suggests that good fuel economy would be an important factor for the car. An aluminum body would turn out to be expensive hence cheaper materials would have to be included into the design. The car would also have to miss out on many comfort features and power accessories. However, Stevens has not yet come up with a conclusive answer. It seems Ratan Tata has made people look at car ownership as an inverted pyramid with millions of people at the top. Soon the dynamics of car manufacture will change forever and car design will focus on common people instead of the wealthy. Once considered luxury goods like television, mobile phones, housing, have now become common. Cars, we think, will be no different soon. Labels: Car Design, One Lakh Car, Tata
Car security is still low priority
The value of stolen vehicles crossed the Rs 1,000 Crore mark in 2007 according to a study made by the National Crime Records Bureau based in Delhi and passenger cars formed a major chunk of it. It was alarming to note that cars that come fitted with high-end audio equipment and expensive accessories score pathetically low on security. In the Indian car market, only premium & luxury cars come fitted with the latest anti-theft devices and the lesser cars are more prone to theft. These anti-theft devices should be made mandatory for all cars. Maruti was the first Indian company to offer the iCATs (Intelligent Computerized Anti-Theft System) as an option on all its models. Other car manufacturers should take a cue from Maruti and give away anti-theft devices with all their cars instead of leaving the option open to the car buyer. As there are nearly 30 launches lined up for the upcoming auto expo, it would be best if all small car manufacturers took note of this. The government should make it mandatory for all cars to be equipped with anti-theft mechanisms. Labels: Accessories, Auto expo, Maruti, Security
Tuesday, 8 January 2008
Car sector feels government is not acting
Think of ‘car’ and the immediate reaction is ‘pollution’. The January Auto Expo will help introduce many cars and SUVs which are getting close to being environment-friendly. Some of these are the Toyota Innova D-4-D, new Mahindra Scorpio, new Tata Safari DiCOR, and models from Skoda. For a cleaner drive, Maruti has already adopted Fiat’s 1.3-litre Multijet common rail diesel engine on some of its models. While car manufacturers have acted, the government is sitting pretty on the quality of fuel supplied to car owners. India is one of the countries in the world which serves fuel with a high sulphur content. This sulphur is a major contributor to dense pollution levels in cities. Lowering the sulphur content in diesel and petrol should be the immediate concern of the government. The government has failed to take steps to check and maintain the quality of fuel being supplied to consumers. Many experts have suggested that if India does not act fast, the atmosphere will soon be filled with heavy toxic fumes. Interestingly, diesel cars emit seven times more toxic gases into the air than petrol based engines and the popularity of diesel cars is at an all time high. Maintaining a high quality of dispensed fuel will refresh the air we breathe. It will also help leave a greener tomorrow for the next generation. An inefficient system leaves a lot for the asking. Sadly, car manufacturers have little say in this matter. Submitted by Ranjit Vohra Labels: car manufacturers, Diesel, Fuel, Government, Petrol, Pollution
Bollywood’s fast and the furious
We always talk about commoners driving recklessly and forget those celebrities who do the same causing injuries and in some cases even claiming lives. When we talk about careless driving by celebrities, the very first name that pops up is that of Salman Khan. It’s old story that Salman was accused of killing a person and injuring four others after ramming his SUV into a shop in suburban Bandra, Mumbai in 2003. The case is still pending in court. After seeing several such cases, people are not taking these issues lightly. They have become wary of the dangers of reckless driving and are openly criticizing those who are breaking rules. Bollywood actor Randeep Hooda has received brickbats from none other than Bipasha Basu for his reckless driving habits. She has openly criticized him for driving his car at high speeds. I’m really proud of Bipasha for her bold step and her initiative to highlight the mistake of a fellow actor. There is a lesson - Don’t keep mum and instead express resentment if you find any of your friends, colleagues or others driving recklessly. This could prevent accidents and save precious lives.
Submitted by Rajesh Kurien Labels: Accidents, Bollywood, Driving, Submitted Article
Thailand to be the new hub for Tata’s small car
The much hyped Tata ‘one lakh car’ may not eventually roll out of an Indian facility. Tata Motors is planning to assemble it at its Thai plant before launching it in India. The company is also planning to create a component manufacturing hub around the plant.
Tata has submitted an application to Thailand’s Board of Investment requesting permission to invest as much as Rs. 800 Crore for the assembly plant. The proposal is likely to be considered by the Board some time next week.
With Tata looking to China for components and Thailand for labour, it remains to be seen what the company is looking for in Indian companies to contribute to this project. Labels: Assembly, car components, China, One Lakh Car, Tata
Lord Swaraj Paul enters Indian car industry
The Caparo Group, led by UK-based business magnate Lord Swaraj Paul, is investing in a car and aerospace components manufacturing facility in Andhra Pradesh. The emerging Indian car market has been luring many foreign car component manufacturers. The group is set to invest Rs. 3,500 Crore to lay down a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in a small district near Andhra Pradesh. They have already singed the MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) with the state government.
Good news for the country as work is expected to start by March this year and the new venture promises to create as many as 10,000 job opportunities.
Labels: car components, Foreign Investment, Jobs, UK-based
Monday, 7 January 2008
The Auto Expo Classic Parade
A wide range of vintage and classic cars are set to steal the hearts of car lovers. The Heritage Motoring Club of India (HMCI) will display the largest collection of vintage and classic cars at the Auto Expo this Tuesday in New Delhi. This set-in-motion to Auto Expo’08 will be called, “The Auto Expo Classic Parade”. HMCI is expected to drive down at least 100 vintage and classic cars and over a 59 vintage and classic motorbikes on the 1st day of the Expo. The Union Youth Affairs and Sports Minister would flag-off the display. Labels: Auto expo, classic cars, Vintage cars
Cars to run on CAT
Here is another version of car that is going to hit Indian roads soon. With the increase in fuel prices, India is making an effort to manufacture the cars with Compressed Air Technology (CAT) and will be green in every sense. Now, CAT is little technical, let us brief you about it. This technology uses compressed air as energy storage and can be combined with hybrid gasoline/ diesel or electric plant and regenerative braking. Compressed-air vehicles are as good as electric vehicles. Advantages of this technology are that it provides high torque for minimum volume, simple mechanical engine, and easy maintenance besides; these air-bottles can be disposed or recycled. At time when the pollution became one of major problems in the country, these environmental-friendly vehicles come as boon to make the country free from pollution. Labels: Air Cars, hybrid cars, Pollution
DC’s Supercar
Indians have already mastered the art of making cars and now they are super-mastering it. We saw the revolutionary Tri-fuel-hybrid concept car recently, Tata’s one lakh car is well on its way and now the ‘Super Car’ from car designing guru Dilip Chabria (popularly known as DC). DC takes pride in his new creation by leaving his signature on the body of the car. Chassis, lighting, and interiors for the new car will be designed within the country while the engine, brake assembly, and suspension system will be imported. With an investment of about Rs. 50 Crore, Chabria plans to set up an assembly plant in Pune for producing the first 300 units. Powered by a 3.0-litre twin turbocharged engine, the supercar can attain a top speed of 305 kmph and can go from 0 to 60 kmph in just 3.7 seconds. Now that’s really super! It’s expected cost is about Rs. 25 Lakh. The model will be showcased at the upcoming Auto Expo along with DC’s other design – the ‘Ambierod’ which is a retro-futuristic luxury car based on the legendary Ambassador. Labels: Auto expo, Concept Car, Racing
Dragon hitting the car market
China is now eyeing to cash in on India’s growing car market. At least 300 Chinese and 100 Taiwanese car component manufacturers are set to rock the Auto Expo scheduled to start in 2 days at Delhi’s Pragati Maidan. Interestingly, at the last expo held in 2006, the Dragon’s participation was limited to just 50 such companies. Their huge participation speaks volumes about India’s growing car market. If 400 out of the 600 participating car components manufacturers are Chinese and Taiwanese, it’s time for the domestic and other foreign companies to think and bounce back on the dragon force. Labels: Auto expo, car components, China
Friday, 4 January 2008
Let’s make driving a better experience
Indian automobile industry is undoubtedly growing, followed by China. Even auto analysts say, it may just beat China soon. But wonder if the government has ever thought about how the conditions of the roads and traffic would be after 10 years?
Or can we do something without waiting for government to act upon? The best way to reduce pollution would be to buy vehicles that are frugal in fuel consumption. To decongest Indian roads, carpooling may also help! Though carpool in India is a new concept, yet it is catching up with the working class junta.
We can also try to lessen illegal parking or double parking to avoid road blocking etc. Government may act at its pace… Let’s all join hands to make driving a better experience for those who own cars, and for those who don’t. Labels: Indian Government, Pollution, Traffic Jams
Preview of Fabia
There has been a lot of hype on launch of Skoda Fabia. Speculations are going on about its pricing, interiors, safety and audio. The company had not made these available even when it started bookings in December for Skoda car owners only. Fabia, which was launched earlier in Europe is now scheduled to be make an entry to Indian market with the 9th Auto Expo, New Delhi this year. While cruising through the Internet waters, I was able to find some information about this. Skoda will apparently launch three variants – two petrol and one diesel variant in India. The car will come equipped with 1.2 liter and 1.4 liter petrol engines producing 85 bhp and a 1.4 diesel generating 69 bhp. The car can attain a top capacity of 169 kmph. The diesel variant is considerably lower than petrol engine type owing to heavier body construction. The pricing is likely to range between Rs. 5.5 to 7 lakh. Considering the price it is one of the highest in the hatchback segments. The high end variant will come loaded with several latest safety features like the ABD, EBD, dual stage front airbags, and fun features like the sunroof and premium sound system. Park assists could also be added as an option. However, considering the pricing in relation to engine capacity, Fabia seems to be lagging behind most existing variants like the Swift, Getz and Palio. But on a closer look, Skoda has loaded the Fabia interiors with the latest technology and elegant seatings and smooth plastic. Safety has always been a priority for Skoda and Fabia is no exception. The new car could become a style statement among hatchback owners. Labels: Auto expo, Hatchbacks, New launch
Get well soon ….
J.D. Madan, a well known Indian car racer is injured in a fatal car accident recently. The Maruti Zen, the car he was driving slipped off a cliff and crashed at the bottom of the hill. He was driving at the speed of 120kmph and missed the curve and flipped over, which led him to the tragedy. The racer is affected with multiple injuries that will take long term recovery.
J. D. Madan, former national champion in Formula Esteem category shook the racing community with his accident. Hoping to see him back on the track soon and wishing him a speedy recovery. Labels: Accidents, Racing
New models, variants make 2008 interesting
Year 2008 is certainly going to be exciting one. The New Year has a bonanza for car lovers.
Along with the much awaited Rs 1 lakh car from TATA’s about 60 new cars, models and variants will be available in the showrooms.
The different auto makers are keen on pleasing every section with a line up of new models ranging from Luxury cars to small cars. But it will be the small car segment that will get the maximum consideration. About 15 new models and variants will be released in the small car segment along and the midsized segment will have about 20 new models.
Till now the Indian car market was seen as mail small car market. But this trend seems to be changing now. There will 10 new model releases in the luxury segment and 15 new modes of SUVs are awaiting release. The Maruti which has stopped production of Esteem will be coming up with the launch the new Swift Sedan and Splash. Maruti’s main rival Hyundai has also geared up to woo potential customers and will be releasing the automatic gearshift version of cool looking i10 model. Fiat is coming up with Linea and Volkswagen will bring in Jetta and Renault the Sandero. Surely, it’s going to be year of delightful choices. Labels: 2008, Indian car market, Tata Motors 1 lakh car, Upcoming Cars
Thursday, 3 January 2008
From wheels to wings
Passion for cars has been carried over from the days of the Maharajas. Unlike today, there were no traffic jams in their time and size of the car was never an issue. There was unbounded freedom to modify cars.
In 1912, the Maharaja of Nabha in Punjab owned a Rolls Royce which he had transformed to look like a swan. The metal bird looked amazing with a Gabriel horn that had eight organ pipes and a keyboard. It also had two levers - one opened the beak of the swan and the other sent hot water from the radiator into the swan’s nostril to make a hissing sound. Such passion for creativity with cars is very rare these days.
The unique idea was not only a huge success in India but also shined in England. Though this crowd puller was eventually banned from the streets as it caused traffic snarls, it still remains in the hearts of car lovers. Labels: Indian car accessories, Rolls Royce, Vintage cars
Tata’s small car headed for Europe
The most eagerly awaited Tata 1 lakh car is headed to Europe. It will make an appearance at the Geneva Motor Show soon after the January Auto Expo in Delhi this year. The Geneva motor show in March will be its first European appearance.
Tata Motors plans to showcase the car worldwide as a preview before its planned launch into the European market. Whether the car will be open to test drives in Geneva is not clear. Tata has decided not to allow for test drives at the Auto Expo.
While the small car has heralded a rat race for cheap cars among many auto majors, it has raised a lot of questions about safety and emission standards. Tata’s other car, the Indigo, had come in for much criticism in South Africa some time back. As a result of this, it’s to be seen whether the world’s cheapest car will get favourable reviews from the mature western public. Labels: Auto expo, New launch, Tata Motor, Tata Motors 1 lakh car
Suzuki model based on A-Star concept to be built in India
Suzuki seems to be gradually turning India into its production base. It plans to export about 1 lakh units of its new model that will be based on its A-star concept car. The new car will be unveiled at the Auto Expo in New Delhi this month.
This will be the first car under the Suzuki brand to be built completely in India and exported to Europe. The car will also be available to Indian consumers in late 2008. Whatever the economic side of this plan, brand Suzuki that has been synonymous with Japan will from now on also carry the Indian badge. Labels: Auto expo, export cars, Maruti Suzuki, Suzuki
WagonR: A good buy in the used car market
The used car market is flooded with various models that are being offered at competitive prices. Today, there’s a trend of acquiring new cars regularly by disposing off previously owned ones. Models such as the Maruti 800 of the 90s can be fetched for as low as Rs.50, 000. Can a cheap car be a good buy? After all, one can’t really rely on old parts and might have to shell out a lot of money on upgrades.
Questions like these and many more had left me in the lurch. I had to do a lot of research before I struck a deal for a 1996 WagonR LXi last November.
By now, I have driven it for about 20,000 kms and have found it to be really economical. It gives great mileage of around 14 within a traffic-congested city like Bangalore. At times, I’ve even got a mileage of 16+ within the city. Another thing that I liked about the car is its ground clearance. Even on bumpy roads, I haven’t faced problems. I agree that this has also got to do a lot with driving habits and the kind of fuel we use.
The WagonR, inspite of its boxy looks, is value for money and fun-to-drive. The ‘R’ in WagonR stands for ‘Recreation’.
Submitted by Arvind Patil Labels: Maruti, Submitted Article, Used cars
Esteem goes into history books
One of India’s best loved cars, the Maruti Esteem, is no more. It’s sad news not only for esteem lovers but also for race enthusiasts. The model was first launched in 1994 replacing India’s first sedan the Maruti 1000. The Esteem was admired for its smooth performance and its capable 85 bhp 1.3-liter petrol engine. Many buyers have loved the fuel economy it delivered. The car figured in several Indian racing circuits and was a favorite among drag racers. It was acknowledged as a car that required low maintenance and managed low running costs. Many buyers willingly chose the Esteem for its easy handling and ride quality. The model has also been popular for its high resale value. Interestingly, one of IT legends Mr. Azim Premji owned an Esteem and travelled to work in it everyday that too when he figured in the “richest people in the world” list! The design of this wonderful car, however, received constant criticism from several quarters and was termed dated. Despite this, this entry-level mid-size sedan fared well it terms of sales volume and competed well with other sedans. Esteem will be succeeded by the Swift sedan in March 2008. As with its hatchback sibling, the Swift sedan will come with a hefty price tag. The base petrol will start at around Rs.5 lakh and the fully-loaded diesel could touch the Rs.6 lakh mark. We last heard about the esteem when Maruti announced a massive discount of Rs 57,500 for the month of December. It’s sad to note that such an illustrious car will soon figure in history books! Labels: Discontinued, Maruti, Sedans
Car makers liked this December
Looks like the December discount scheme has worked for Maruti and Hyundai. December is apparently a time of the year when car sales slump due to the year model factor. A car bought in December this year would have lesser resale value as compared to a January model in the coming year. However, for the same reason, December is also a time of the year when car makers offer heavy discounts on most of their models. The gimmick has worked well for Maruti and Hyundai. Indians and discounts can’t be separated from each other. Maruti reported a 10 per cent increase in sales. Popular models such as Swift, WagonR, Zen Estilo and Alto have reported a northward trend while the 800 hasn’t fared so well. The company has sold roughly 6000 units more than it did during the same period in 2006. Similarly, Hyundai has managed to sell 4000 more than the year 2006 figure of 11,000. Much like Maruti, Hyundai kept appearing in the news frequently in 2007 with launches of the Sonata Embera Diesel, Getz Prime, Santro CNG, Sonata Embera AT and the much hyped i10. This had left consumers extremely interested. No doubt the companies devised the discount scheme to tide over slow sales and low interest rates but they finally got the nerve of the Indian consumer. Be it soaps, shampoos, electronics or even cars, discounts do sell! Labels: Car sales, discounts, Hyundai, Maruti
No dearth of car accessories
Owning a car is not a style statement anymore, upgrading it to match your lifestyle is. Gen-X car buffs are making their cars sportier and flashier. The growing demand for accessories has had car component makers from across the globe make their way to the Indian market. These days there are hundreds of simple and affordable ways to give a personal touch to a car. The extent of customisation is such that every single component in a car can be replaced or be made to look the way one would like. Like a dress designer who designs dresses as per your taste, you can also design a car to your choice.
There are all kinds of accessories in the market that will support you to revamp your car from exterior to interior. The auto market offers a complete list of amazing add-ons for new looks. For instance, alloy wheels can make quite an impact to the overall look of a car; chrome- or silver-rimmed exhaust tips and spoilers can be added, a range of different headlights and fancy tail lights, and a wide array of bumpers, grilles, windshields, wipers and even body paints to choose from. You can even tattoo your car. Now that’s interesting.
And that was only the exterior. The interiors too can be altered with a choice of upholstery, steering wheels, gear knobs, beverage holders, audio systems, floor mats, etc. Apart from accessories themselves, a lot of car design shoppes have opened up. These places can do magic with your car. Little wonder then that pretty soon every car on our roads will look different from the other. Submitted by Vignesh Madhusudhan Labels: Indian car accessories, New Car, Submitted Article
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