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Friday, 4 April 2008
Renault made its debut by launching Logan in India through a joint venture with Mahindra a few years ago. After it’s entry into India, Logan has somehow managed to give good competition to its rivals in mid-size segment but it failed to impress and attract more customers as expected by Renault. Now, Logan is being revamped and presented with new style.
It’s not so impressive performance and heavy price tags have forced many customers to opt for other cars than Logan. When people are going crazy for small cars in countries like India, it will be really challenging task for car manufacturers to increase the sale of mid-size sedans like Logan. So, Renault has determined to revamp and add some more frills to Logan. It will launch revamped version of Logan in next few months to take on its competitors mainly Maruti Swift Dzire. Let’s hope Renault will achieve success this time. Labels: Auto market competition, Car-Sales, Logan, Mahindra, Maruti Dzire, midsize cars, Renault, small cars
Thursday, 3 April 2008
Since it has entered India in 2007, luxury car maker Volvo has been in news for few times. And every time Volvo has made sure that the focus is on its cars and features rather than anything itself. In India, Volvo has been a late entry but it already has an impressive line with three luxury cars - convertible C70, sedan S80 and luxury SUV XC90. The company has a target of 500 cars for Indian market.
Volvo also came into news for announcing the date of launch and showing commitment to stick to it. Volvo has its largest market in USA, but is not showing any laxity towards newer markets like India. But, now Volvo plans to launch 6 new vehicles in India in a phased manner. According to sources come of the models to be introduced are C30, XC 60 and XC 70. Many more models will be launched following them. Labels: Auto market competition, luxury cars, Luxury sedan, new cars, Sedans, Volvo
Wednesday, 2 April 2008
Now-a-days, car manufacturers are not only giving thrust to push up sale of their small cars or luxury cars, but also taking much care of their customers even after sale. Realising the fact that maintaining a good rapport with customers is as important as striking a deal with them to push their sales, some car companies have started after sale servicing to keep their customers happy and to help them to get solved any problems in their new cars after buying from them without shelling out an additional amount from their wallets. Maruti, Tata Motors and other companies started free car servicing after sale, now Hyundai has taken up this task and wanted to build a good rapport with its customers by launching after sale servicing campaign. It has launched a unique campaign of free car care clinic. The nationwide two-week long campaign will be held from April 2 to April 14. The company plans to reach 1.5 lakh consumers. Such customer-service oriented campaigns would definitely be praised by the customers. Labels: Auto market competition, car services, Hyundai, luxury cars, Maruti, small cars, Tata Motor
Monday, 31 March 2008
It has been a bad beginning for the Auto Industry in stock market this fiscal. First it was hike in interest rates, followed by stringent measures adopted by financial institutions and now increases in prices of raw materials. The downward performance this fiscal follows the impressive performance in 2006 - 2007. The higher interest rates, hard financial options have resulted in negative sales figures of automobile companies resulting in poor performance of the auto stocks. But, financial observers see downward trend in car sales figures only as a time phrase which could recover by the second quarter. The Indian auto Industry has been in the global news this week with the Tata Motors clinching the Jaguar and Land Rover deal from Ford Motor. But the stock markets have not been favorable for the Tata Motors yet. Soon after the announcement of the deal on Thursday Tata Motors shares plunged by 6.39 per cent at Rs 636 dragging the BSE Auto Index down 1.79 per cent. Tata Motors share had been on the downtrend ever since Ford announced that Tata Motors was the preferred bidder for its luxury brands in January. Tata Motors on Friday opened at Rs 654 and closed at 645.85 a loss of Rs 9.50. Similarly, Maruti Suzuki which is heavily affected by increase in raw materials opened at 834.75 and closed at 829.25 a loss of Rs 9.05. Labels: Auto market competition, auto share market in India, Car-Sales, JLR deal, Maruti, raw materials, scenario in India auto industry, Tata Motor
After getting downgraded by rating agencies, Tata Motors is now hopping for a better rating after announcement of a new refinancing plan. But this may take a few months altogether. The refinance plan is expected as Tata Motors clinched a major acquisition deal with Ford to own the Jaguar and Land Rover. Tata Motors have paid 2.3 billion dollars for the deal. Eventually, the deal will be financed through a mixture of debt and equity.
Last week, Crisil, a rating agency, downgraded ratings on the auto major's cash credit facilities from 'AA+' to 'AA-/stable'. But the agency has removed Tata Motors from 'Rating Watch with Negative Implications' list. The auto major has taken a USD 3 billion bridge loan to take over the two iconic brands and meet the working capital requirements with a combination of debt, liquidation of existing investments. The company also plans to raise a fresh equity of USD 1 billion. Labels: Auto market competition, Ford, Jaguar and Land Rover, Tata Motors
Friday, 28 March 2008
Many who are expecting reduction in the price of Maruti-800 after Tata Nano’ appearance at Auto expo, will be disappoint to know the fact Maruti will not reduce any price of maruti-800 in future to compete with one lakh car Tata nano as Maruti does not want to compete with nano and is not even thinking to manufacture any new small car on the lines of ultra cheap car, Tata nano. Before Tata nano’s appearance, Maruti-800 was considered as one of the cheapest small car available in the country for many middle class families. When Tata motors have confirmed its production of one lakh car, many had thought that maruti would cut the price of maruti-800 on par with one lakh car to compete with nano. But now that suspense is over as Maruti openly clarified its intention that it will not reduce or cut down the price of Maruti-800 to compete with nano. Such honesty statement by maruti will really create conducive atmosphere in auto market leaving no place for unhealthy competition. Labels: Auto market competition, Car-Sales, Expansion in business, Maruti 800, Nano, One Lakh Car, small cars
There was a time when introduction of a new model took years in India. Going down the memory lane, we could find that Ambassador actually rolled out only one model till late 90’s and Fiat had only two models for India for over twenty years. When Maruti came in the early 80’s it revolutionized car industry, but new models were not forthcoming. But now the time seems to be changing so fast that if you blink you could miss a model. Going a step ahead and breaking all records, one of the most successful sedan manufacturers, Mitsubishi has now decided to launch one new model in India every six months. They are even planning to introduce the sophisticated SUV Outlander in few months, which will be manufactured in India. It seems launching of new small cars, luxury cars, SUVs and sedans within span of short period may soon become a trend among car soon become car manufacturers. Labels: Ambassador, Auto market competition, Indian small cars security, luxury cars, Maruti, new car launch
Thursday, 27 March 2008
Tata Motors has taken the entire world by storm when it unveiled world’s cheapest car Nano at auto expo and earned the reputation of being mass car producer. By acquiring Ford’s luxury and premium brand Jaguar and Land Rover, Tata Motors has also proved its commitment towards producing high end class cars. It added one more jewel in the Tata’s crown. Tata has taken very decisive and bold step by acquiring JLR brand from global player Ford. Tata has become a world-class car maker by clinching this deal for $2.3 billion. With this deal, Tata Motors has set the entire auto world on fire and also proved global players wrong who thought Tata can only make cheapest car than high end model as it will now produce cars ranging from Rs 1 lakh to 1 crore. Labels: Auto market competition, Nano, One Lakh Car, Tata Motors, Ultra cheap cars
Maruti Suzuki is fast expanding its business to the rural areas than ever before. The car major is now looking at more income segments apart from the traditional businessman and urban salary groups. Last year the company has targeted government employees including teachers and also shop floor workers. The campaign received overwhelming responses and was a great success as maruti sold a whopping number of 23,000 cars including small cars and sedans under the scheme, last year. This year the company is targeting buyers in rural areas. The company has devised the panchayat scheme to increase the sale of small cars at grass root level. Under the scheme, Maruti's small cars will be available at discounted prices. Panchayat members, employers of regional rural banks, tahshildars and other government employees in rural areas are entitled to avail of this scheme. Let’s hope the other car manufacturers like Honda, Tata Motors, Hyundai may take cue from Maruti to help rural people to own cars. Labels: Auto market competition, Car-Sales, Maruti Suzuki, new schemes, samll cars
Wednesday, 26 March 2008
Tata Nano may further become cheaper when it hit the Indian roads in next few months. The appearance of Tata Nano, world’s cheapest car at auto expo has stirred up Indian auto industry and stunned many car manufacturers who thought manufacturing of 1 lakh car was just impossible. It’s all history now. Tata Motor is again waiting to give one more surprise by further reducing the price of Nano. If reports are to be believed, Tata has formed a team to find out ways to cut down the cost of its Rs 1 lakh car. If the price of nano come down further, buyers of this car will be doubled than present one as all most all families would own it by bidding good-bye to their two-wheeler. It’s time to cheer-up for small car buyers! Labels: Auto market competition, Car-Sales, One Lakh Car, Prices, Small Car, tata nano
Many car manufacturers are generously offering good discounts and freebies to encourage people to buy their cars. They also reduced price of small cars after excise duty cut in union budget. But it is not sure how long it will be continued as the rise in the price of steels and other raw materials is forcing car manufacturers to withdraw offers and increase the price of cars including luxury cars and small cars. The generosity and enthuse of car manufacturers would not last for a long time and it would always be a short lived. They can now withdraw all offers and increase the car’s price at any time depending on marketing conditions. People, who have kept their plans of buying new cars on hold in anticipation of further reduction in their prices, could loose more money if they wait for another few months. It’s right time to start buying their favorite car. Wait and watch may prove too costly as prices could be increased at any moment. Labels: Auto market competition, Car-Sales, Customer offer, discounts, Prices
All the green car entrepreneurs take note of this. This may be your biggest chance to win a prize of 10 million dollar prize amount and also get your green car manufactured across the world. This is all about a competition organized by the Progressive Automotive X Prize Foundation. It was unveiled by the New York mayor at the New York International Auto Show this month. The final competition will be held in September 2009 where the newly developed green cars will be tested across the country in US. Now, the tough part is that the car has to achieve at least 100 miles per gallon. It will add one more feather in India’s cap, if any Indian achieves this feat. The entries are still open for contestants. Labels: Auto market competition, Auto-Shows, Environment friendly car, green cars
Tuesday, 25 March 2008
Indian auto industry is undoubtedly becoming a hottest hub for global players. Launching of new luxury cars, SUVs and sedans have become common these days in India by foreign car manufacturers like BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz in collaboration with Indian car manufacturers. Now, Toyota has joined this bandwagon by announcing the launch of Lexus cars in India. Lexus brands have already captured the luxury car market globally and became hit all over the world including USA. Lexus is highest selling global marquee and will reach the Indian market through Toyota. Lexus cars are crafted with elegant design, powerful engines and superb interiors to woo people to buy these brands in India. Toyota does not want to release any of the Lexus brands in hurry but will take at least a year to launch them. It will launch LS 450 sedan first and later on LX 470 SUV. Surely, slow and steady wins the game! Labels: Auto market competition, Lexus brands, luxury cars, Luxury sedan, new car launch, Toyota
Monday, 24 March 2008
It seems that old partner have become new foes. Mahindra and Chrysler are locked in a battle over an advertisement of jeep. Now it all started when Mahindra in its ad published in a newspaper in South Africa used a jeep picture. Nobody in India would make a big fuss about it knowing that Jeep was being assembled and marketed by Mahindra in India. Mahindra has been associated with Willy’s Jeep, for India operations since 1945. Even today Jeep is much sought after vehicle by off road enthusiasts. But outside India, when Mahindra is making a foray into foreign lands, it's a different ball game. Labels: Auto market competition, Car market, Chrylser, jeep, Mahindra
All those who thought that tinkering with cars was a mechanics jobs, wake up. The car sector has undergone tremendous change in the last few years. Mechanics alone will not be able to do all the jobs. Believe it not!
The car industry requires as much as 10,000 automobile engineers in the next decade. They are required by the best names in the industry like BMW, Mercedes, Tata Motors, Maruti Suzuki, Ford Motors and others. They are even hiring freshers for their most enterprising jobs. All those who want to associate themselves with the greatest upcoming cars can look into these careers.
Labels: Auto market competition, BMW-Cars, job scenario in Indian auto industry, Maruti, Mercedes-Benz, Upcoming Cars
Thursday, 6 March 2008
Hyundai Motors is keeping track of its customers by following them wherever they go. They aren’t even sparing their customers out on their jogging or shopping routines. It’s all for a very good reason – to maintain a lasting relationship with customers.
Hyundai is on a mission to provide good after-sales service to its customers. It’s ‘Always Around’ campaign aims at providing free car check-ups to customers. Service teams from Hyundai will render their services at various locations like parks, shopping malls, and apartment complexes. It seems Hyundai has realized the importance of maintaining good customer relations after a car sale. Labels: Auto market competition, car services, Hyundai, sales strategy
Monday, 3 March 2008
China is famous for piracy, whether it is to do with films, music, or technology. The piracy-den tag has robbed china of becoming a major hub for the expensive cars in the world. If you look at the number of research labs and production facilities coming to India, even though China offers better infrastructure and cheaper labour, you can’t help but wonder why?
Mercedes, BMW, Audi, and even Ferrari have set up their bases in India for fear that their technological wonders may no longer remain unique if their ideas and technical innovations are exposed to the Chinese market to be forged, duplicated, and sold as good imitations at much cheaper rates. More car manufacturers like Volvo and Volkswagen are also setting up their facilities here. After all, car manufacturers have to not only pay attention to profit and sales, but also to technological innovations that will help them grow better and faster than their competitors!
Labels: Auto market competition, BMW-Cars, Mercedes-Benz, Piracy in Chaina's auto industry
Wednesday, 27 February 2008
Have you ever wondered why the Cadillac and Hummer models are experiencing such a delay to come to India?
I think it is because they are converting them from left-hand drives to right-hand drives. Among hundreds of countries in the world, there are only 52 right-hand drive countries and India is one among them. Amazing but true! If the country had been using left-hand drives, then these cars would have arrived in India a long time ago. I understand that these cars are very costly and converting them after sales is again a costly business. In addition, no one in India is equipped to make this change in mass scales. It is good news that the companies have decided to do it themselves. I can only hope that this is the only change that these cars see when sold here. Article Submitted by IKnowCars Labels: Auto market competition, Cadillac, Hummer, new cars
Tuesday, 26 February 2008
In JD Power’s list of car manufacturers based on customer satisfaction for the year 2007, Honda, Hyundai and Tata Motors have hit bottom. It’s totally unbelievable that they have dropped to the end of the list on the sales satisfaction index. Shockingly, Hyundai has lost the most points and dropped to the eighth position from last year’s third position.
I find that Hyundai has good after-sales service and I’m sure they have very happy customers. Their small cars are also very decent. I don’t think the customer satisfaction list is accurate. Article submitted by Gaja Labels: Auto market competition, Car-Sales, Honda, small cars
Tuesday, 22 January 2008
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
Thursday, 17 January 2008
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-Designs, Indian car market
Wednesday, 5 December 2007
Honeymoon days for small cars seem to be over, now experts are looking at them from a critical standpoint. The Japanese mini-car specialist, Suzuki Motor is taking a cautious view to the race to build a $3,000 car in India. India's Tata Motors has previously said it plans to introduce a $3,000 car into the market by next year, while Nissan and Renault are also considering jointly launching a similarly priced vehicle in India by 2010. Wonder how environment protection has suddenly become an issue to the Japanese car maker? Suzuki is worried about the low-cost cars meeting global standards of emission and automobile safety. Whether these cars would include airbags or seatbelts is yet to be seen. The Maruti Suzuki India Limited market share majority is owned by the Japanese automaker, which now has a market share of more than 50 percent in India. However, its dominance is increasingly challenged by global automakers who will not rest until they take a large bite out of the extremely delicious Indian auto market pie. Labels: Auto market competition, Low budget cars, Maruti Suzuki, Nissan, Renault, Small car market in India, Suzuki, Tata
Tuesday, 27 November 2007
Ashok Leyland is a big name in the heavy motor vehicle world. However, not many know that it’s Hinduja Group’s Flagship Company too. It plans to launch its next-generation range of hybrid trucks and buses in the upcoming years. The company is developing electronic shift-by-wire transmission technology and electronic-controlled engine management systems to take fuel efficiency to a new level. This move may have been triggered by Tata’s Hydrogen Bus initiative. According to sources, their aim is to enhance both automotive power and fuel efficiency in the to-be-developed new age vehicles. The electronic shift-by-wire transmission is expected to decrease the fuel consumption by 5 percent. The company is working on both electric battery and bio-fuel modes for its hybrid range of vehicles in India. Ashok Leyland has been doubling-up its head count at its technical centre in Chennai. It now has over 600 engineers and researchers, up from a mere 100 in 2003. Even in the R&D, it has been pumping in a lot of cash. Small cars and big cars, Indian car makers are not behind the race with their global counterparts; as for quality, we will have to wait and drive! Labels: Ashok Leyland, Auto market competition, Buses and Trucks, Hybrids, Launches in India, Tata
Friday, 16 November 2007
After one very successful year, BMW India echoes only one slogan “Thanks to the Indian BMW die-hard fans, we need more.” Here is today’s big story: BMW has just shown interest in expanding its dealers in India. It looks like BMW is moving forward with a systematic method of ruling the Indian luxury cars market. The German formula in India has great demand since its debut. The company has sold a total of 1,100 units till now and currently they have eight dealers in India. With the new expansion, the company is expected to up the dealer number by four in the coming few months. Main targets of expansion are Pune, Ahmedabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Surat, and Coimbatore. BMWs reply to the new entries from Audi and Volkswagen is cracking and this definitely promises to be an interesting tale. Labels: Audi, Auto market competition, BMW-Cars, Imported cars, Luxury car segment, New launch, Volkswagen
Friday, 26 October 2007
There has been considerable debate over the last few years regarding the best high-end sport- luxury brand car available in India. It was widely thought that the big three brand competitors are BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi. Now, I’d like to take a moment to welcome our new competitor, an all new sport-luxury brand from the Italian carmaker Fiat. Here’s the name you’ve been waiting for: the Alfa Romeo 159. In the 2008 Auto Expo, which is going to be happening very shortly, Fiat is going to announce the debut of Alfa Romeo and the date to import it to India in the first half of 2008. Current information suggests that the Alfa Romeo will be available at selected Fiat dealers in India. Well, from what I understand, Alfa’s engine transplants will add either a 2.2 liter engine or a 3.2 liter V-6 engine that will make a very hearty 260 to 730 horsepower respectively. Fiat has confirmed that the entry prize of Alfa will be 28 Lakh. Let’s gaze at the history of Alfa. Alfa was the first car that introduced the trend for twin spark plugs in the 1960s. The Alfa 156, launched in 1997, was the first car that was powered by a common-rail diesel engine. All this and the car is still competitively prized. As far as we know it’s the cars endure in Indian road conditions and the company service back-up that will eventually decide the success of the new ‘Romeo’ in India. Labels: Audi, Auto market competition, BMW-Cars, Fiat, Imported cars, Indian car market, Mercedes-Benz, New launch
Wednesday, 24 October 2007
Indian metros are overflowing with vehicles from various Indian and Foreign manufacturers. However, the demand for more and better choices is not yet satiated. Major car manufacturers are launching more and more cars to attain the top position in this jungle of automotives. As newer cars release, people expectations also rise. Price and mileage are two important aspects that the majority of Indian’s focus on. However, no one like to compromise on quality either. Almost all the manufacturers are trying to meet these expectations. Tata is first in line with its One-Lakh People’s Car. Other manufacturers like Maruti Suzuki, Chevrolet, Hyundai, and Honda are all getting ready to launch passenger cars as early as next year, so that they can stay alive in the competition. India is emerging as one of the most exuberant marketing hubs for cars of all sorts. Manufacturers have come to realize that the smart buyer is measuring all choices and therefore the more choices one manufacturer provides, the better the chances of that manufacturer surviving in this jungle. GM’s recent foothold in India has made a positive impact and the manufacturer is keen on turning India as one of its marketing centers. This sudden frenzy to capture the Indian market will see the launch of over 20 new cars early next year. It is a real dilemma for customers who had planned for a car by the end of the year. With most of the cars set to be launched in a few months, it is difficult to decide whether we should wait for the new launches or buy something which is already in the market. As far as my opinion goes, I would definitely wait! The more the cars in the market, the better the deals I get. For all I know, I could even decide to go for a model that already exists, but due to market competition, it will cost me much lesser then than it will now. Why settle for a prawn when you can get a seafood platter for the same price?!! Labels: Auto market competition, cars-India, Chevrolet, Growth in Indian auto industry, Honda, Hyundai, Imported cars, Indian car market, Launches in India, Maruti Suzuki, Tata
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