Tata’s Net Profit is Marginally Down
The heavy investments in abroad, loans and huge investments in the domestic market have made
Tata Motors profit down. The company recoded a marginal decline in profit for the fiscal year 2007-08. Earlier in the fiscal year 2006-07, the company had made a net profit of Rs 2,167.70 crore against Rs 2,169.99 crore.
The company has gained a total income of Rs 29,214 crore for the year 07-08 as compared to 27,715.22 crore on the year 06-07. After the annual profit was declared, the Tata Motors shares went up by 1.30 percent closing at Rs 634.75 at the Bombay Stock Exchange. It is now looking at future ahead of the annual turnover currently. Though it has seen a small drip in the profit, Tata Motors is on assured path to success as
Nano is ready for launch in October.
Labels: Decline-in-Profit, Tata-Motors
CNG Replaces Petrol Fuel Engines
As the cost of petrol rises, car owners are looking at alternative fuel supply. While the easiest option is fitting the car with LPG kit, car owners are opting for smoother and zero-emission CNG kits. This is a good news for the CNG kit suppliers in Mumbai, who had very little business coming from this product a few months ago. Some dealers are now fitting kits for up to 35-30 cars per month. The numbers are expected to go up by 25 percent in the next few months.
CNG and LPG kits are the best available options in India. While LPG cylinders are available everywhere, CNG filling station are few in city outskirts and no filling is possible in other places. With the skyrocketing price of the petrol, it has become practically impossible to bear the cost. The
car owners are increasingly fitting their cars with CNG or LPG kits.
Labels: CNG-and-LPG-Kits, Replacement-Of-Petrol
Volkswagen’s New Business Strategy
Volkswagen does not like wasting when it comes to business. The company is asking its vendors to set up their facilities on its own land in Chakan in Pune. It will assist vendors to set up their establishments. The company will be saving transportation costs and time while it can concentrate on production target of 1,10,000 units per year.
It will provide as much as one third of the 575 acres land to the vendors for setting up their plants. The company has lined up more than 6-7 models of car including its subsidiary Skoda and Audi’s cars. Volkswagen will have one of the busiest facilities in Indian once the Pune plant is open. Labels: Expansion-in-business, Volkswagen-cars
Civic Hybrid is finally arriving
After months of speculations and long waiting period, finally the much hyped
hybrid car from Honda will be hitting the roads. Honda has declared the date of launch. Incidentally, the launch day of the hybrid will coincide with Honda’s 10th anniversary in India. The Japanese company through its Indian subsidiary Honda Seil Cars India (HSCI) has made Honda a premium name in car segment.
As
Honda had a successful stint with several models like City, Civic, 8th generation Accord and CR-V, the company is now preparing to launch Civic Hybrid. The car will add an eco-friendly quotient to its brand. The Hybrid will be imported from Japan for Indian consumer. Initially, the company only plans to sell only few hundred vehicles in India. The Civic Hybrid is making its debut in India on June 18 at a glittering function in Delhi.
Labels: Civic-Hybrid, Honda-Cars
Nano to get Headlights from Japan
Japan has already changed the looks of Indian cars. Ever since Suzuki Motors introduced the M800, then the world cheapest car, the country has never looked back. New and better models have kept hitting the market regularly. Some of the costliest cars manufacturers like Mercedes, BMW and AUDI have their production facilities and huge marketing network here.
Now another Japanese company is set to change the way headlamps look in India. Koito and other auto parts manufacturers are employing a completely new strategy to create headlamps for Tata and Nissan small cars. The company is targeting the ultra-low cost car manufacturer where there will be huge demand for low cost (yet powerful) headlamps. With such headlamps, Nano will look cuter.
Labels: headlamps, tata nano
Honda Motors to launch MUV
Car companies have a huge market in India. They have successfully maintained a neat portfolio of cars for India. Most of them are urban centric and come with drivability that suits city roads. The SUV have not been liked by many Indians, but only few of them are doing well in Indian car market. Hence, the car manufacturers are manufacturing multi-utility vehicle to get hold of the market. The best known MUVs in India are the Innova and Tata Sumo Grande.
Honda, which is a leader in premium car segment, has also decided to develop a MUV under their badge. Honda is likely to bring a MUV for India. But the date is yet to be announced.
Labels: Honda Cars, MUVs
Intelligent Cars from India
With the advent of new technologies in the electronic world, cars are too getting intelligent. Most cars today have power and electronic functions integrated into them. This has made driving easier, compared to the rugged driving of the rumbling Amby. Now Cars are being designed to match the driver’s moods. Many are even diversifying to suit the taste of individual occupants. To get a hold of the fast changing trend, Tata Elxsi, a product design services domain is developing path breaking features for the cars.
Some of the technologies being developed by the company are bending light that helps driver to get clear visibility while taking a curve; body temperature measuring device that adjusts the air-conditioning levels for the driver and for each passenger. Sounds great! India is also coming up with new technologies. Well, Indian companies are preparing themselves to beat foreign competitors.
Labels: New-technologies-in-Car, Tata-Elxsi
Accord gives Attention to Rear Seat Occupants
The new Accord is practically luxury on wheels. Honda has tweaked the car in every corner and has given a new refreshing look. The car is now available in India. The new Accord is refreshingly new compared to its predecessors. It can be termed as the best in D+ segment.
Since such cars in India are driven by chauffers, the company has paid attention to rear seat comfort. The legroom is so large that an adult can stretch his legs and the back and the thigh support is also very relaxing. The rear seat passenger gets independent air vents and rear seat air conditioners; this feature is noticed only in Mercedes. Rear seat audio controls have also been placed for back seat passengers. The car is more refined and rear seat occupants experience a smooth ride. It looks like Honda revamped the Accord features to suit Indian conditions.
Labels: New-Accord, Rear-seat-occupants
Hyundai Likes to Pamper its Customers
Hyundai, India’s second largest car manufacturer is in news again. Hyundai had always come up with new schemes to impress customers. The company has met with great success with these initiatives. Now, Hyundai is back with two new offers. The company has launched two extended warranty schemes across the country.
One of the schemes named Powertrain will takes care of the engine and transmission while the other called the comprehensive scheme will take care of all mechanical defects including engine and transmission. The two schemes will be valid for five years or 1 lakh kms whichever is earlier. Hyundai car owners have to pay marginal fees to avail these services. This will surely attract more buyers. When car manufacturer is ready to take responsibility for its products, the car owners have nothing to complain.
Labels: Hyundai cars, New car offer
Freebies with Maruti Cars
Car companies are introducing discounts and freebies to attract car buyers now a days. Most dealers find it difficult to sell a car without them. In fact the discounts and freebies are more than the hike in prices announced lately. The price hike seems to have taken a back seat and rampant sales are reported from leading manufacturers. Though the Maruti Suzuki India has complained the most about increased inputs costs, it is quietly offering freebies to its car buyers to maintain its favoritism among the buyers. People buying a Zen Estilo stand to get a 100 percent insurance at a price of Re 1. Also on the offer list is a free music system worth Rs 6000. If you are exchanging an old Maruti car for Zen Estilo an exchange bonus of Rs 10,000 is being offered.
Buyer can also get the popular car Alto with offers like free insurance, 4 percent loan discount and an exchange bonus which is up to Rs 35,000. Maruti knows how to keep customers happy!
Labels: Discounts-on-Cars, Maruti-Suzuki-Cars
Mitsubishi’s New Stylish Lancer
Mitsubishi has become very active lately. After completing 10 years with just a couple of models, the company is suddenly flooding the market with its new cars. It has recently launched the premium sedan Cedia and SUV Pajero. It also plans to release Mitsubishi Evo and a MiVEC in the market. The sedan Lancer is already in the market to remind people of its presence.
But now the company has decided to launch a re-modeled Lancer by 2009. The car is said to be sportier and more striking than its predecessors. The new lancer will reach the Honda Civic proportions. It will be available in two types of engine puffing out 140 bhp. The interiors have been re-designed to feel completely new. The car will be priced in the range of Rs 11 lakh to Rs 13.5 lakh. The lanky Lancer will not only deliver performance but also style.
Labels: Mitsubishi-Car, New-launch
Fleet Owners Get Insurance Benefits
Getting an insurance policy for your car is a cumbersome process. As per the law, it is mandatory for cars to be insured before venturing on to the roads. While PSU still stick to the old rules, the private sectors are taking the lead.
India’s largest private general insurer ICICI Lombard has started a new claim service scheme called “the red carpet” for customers who insure 50 or more vehicles. The scheme entitles the customer file for full claim without any deduction and less stringent survey if the assessor fails to turn up for customer appointment with six hours. This is the first time that an insurance company has introduced benefit for large fleet owners. With the introduction of this policy, the ICICI is giving a new direction to motors insurance business in India.
Labels: Car Insurance, ICICI Lombard
Nano’s Premium is Also Low
Tata Nano has been known worldwide for its price. Once it was unveiled on January 10, 2008 at the Auto expo, it has captured the imagination of all first time car buyers. The Nano comes so cheap that almost all two wheeler riders and middle class section of the society can afford to buy. But the cost of a car is not its factory price alone. There are also other cost like dealer prices, duties and excises, taxes and insurance payment. Insurance companies are working overtime to calculate the monthly insurance premium. But nobody is sure how much it will actually cost as it is yet to hit the roads.
Insurance in India has been calculated using the value of the car and its cubic capacity as parameters. But being a small car with ultra-low cost it assessed that the insurance premium will be as low Rs 2000! With such a low premium, Nano buyers will have one more adavantage.
Labels: Low premium Charge, tata nano
Nano Gets Cheapest Airbags
Tata Motor has tried hard to develop technologies at rates that were not imaginable before. After Nano has earned the title of world’s cheapest car, Tata is again creating history by developing low cost airbags. These airbags will cost $10. A global component supplier will manufacture the Airbags. The other expenses will be taken up by the company.
It can then be market as the world’s cheapest airbags. Nano has not only opened a new segment of consumers but also opened a new line of research which will reduce the overall cost of cars worldwide.
Labels: Cheapest Airbags, Tata Motor
Argentum Wants Electric Car
When new and established car companies are hesitant to come up with eco-cars, a new Indian venture is planning to showcase an electric hybrid car at the Paris Motors Show scheduled to be held in October.
Argentum Motors, India’s largest automobile contract manufacturer has asked a French automotive design company to develop an electric car. The French company Heuliez is a leading design company but is reeling under bankruptcy from the past six months. With this agreement, Argentum Motors will not only bail the French company but also gain access to the European market with an eco-car. Argentum, set up in 2007 has stepped up promotion as a contract car manufacturer for luxury and super luxury cars in India.
Labels: Argentum Motors, Electric Cars
Electric Cars are the Future
It seems like most car manufacturers are finding it difficult to develop a workable electric car. They are trying to develop electric cars that will be more powerful and cost effective. As the car makers are struggling with the new technologies, the electric cars themselves are getting upgraded everyday.
Bangalore based Maini Reva has already proved that electric cars are workable. They can be easily motorable in urban cities. Now more and more car companies are joining the race to develop electric cars as it is the cheapest option. General Motors is likely to launch the high profile electric car Volt in a year’s time. With increasing green house effect and air pollution, car manufacturers profess emission free cars may become a reality in near future.
Labels: Electric Cars, Maini Reva
Hyundai Cars will Cost More
The rising inputs costs have already added pressure on the car companies to increase the prices of products. The car companies which had whined about the inputs costs have announced their new prices. The most prominent among them were Mahindra and Mahindra, Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai and General Motors. The first two among have already announced the increase in prices. The latest in the list is Hyundai, which as hiked the prices by 2 percent.
Hyundai has tried to match Maruti in price hike. The quantum of increase in prices appears to be the same for cars in similar segments. This will be the second time this year that car companies are going for hike in prices.
Labels: Hike in price, Hyundai cars
Is Civic Emission Free as it claims?
All those fans that were looking forward to buy Honda Civic Hybrid should be cautions. How different is the car from normal petrol/diesel run cars? Is it really produced less emission as it claims to be? These questions were raised by auto experts in US who made a study on the aspect.
The company claims that Civic Hybrid has one of the lowest car emissions of 109g/hm of CO2. This is even mentioned in the international websites. However, during a study it came to light that the emission was actually 171g/km of CO2. This is much higher than the standard rating of less than 140g/km.
Honda will be bringing its Civic Hybrid to India soon. So all those environmentalists who thought that Civic hybrid was the answer to all environmental issues need to re-think about it. Further, the Civic Hybrid will be costlier in India than in other countries as import taxes of 114% will be levied as soon as it lands in India. So think before twice before you buy the car.
Labels: Honda Civic, lowest car emissions
Skoda Roomster Breaks the Mould
If you’re open to new things, then go for the new model of Skoda. The car will be the first ever new crossover model in India and is aptly named as ‘Skoda Roomster’.
Effectively two cars in one, the Roomster hits the spot, both as a multi-passenger vehicle (MPV) and a hatchback. The new Skoda Roomster is a brilliant car to drive and fun too. You must have heard of the old saying - “Looks can be deceiving,” and in this case, it’s certainly true. Although, it has a tallboy stance, the Roomster’s stability on the road is unbelievable.
It has all the features that a buyer will admire. Moreover, the car is practical, cheap and fun to own. If you are looking for of an amazingly versatile and effective interior load space with excellent safety credentials, then the Skoda Roomster is the perfect car.
This cute little car comes in three variant levels which are simply called Roomster 1, 2 and 3. There is a pleasant variety of engine power available. Petrol engines available with the car are of 1.2-litre, 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre capacities. A larger 1.9-litre diesel engine has a nice output of 105 bhp. All variants are available with a five speed manual transmission. The estimated starting price of the Roomster in India is expected to be Rs 9.5 Lakh (Ex-showroom Delhi).
Labels: New launch, Skoda Roomster
