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Wednesday, 16 July 2008
With soaring petrol prices, most consumers have decided to switch to diesel engines. Car makers are in search for better fuel options and, in the meantime, have shifted their focus to the production of diesel variants. Petrol has always helped car makers gain better profit margins, but this fiscal year may see a completely different scenario. Maruti Suzuki launched a diesel variant for almost all its car models. Driven by increasing sales of the Maruti Swift and Maruti Swift Dzire, other car makers like Tata, Mahindra, General Motors, Hyundai, and Ford are also increasing production of the diesel variants of their existing car models. Both Maruti and Tata have higher gains on their diesel variants. 65% of the sale growth of Maruti cars is attributed to the diesel Swift and Dzire models; whereas Tata is experiencing 75% sale growth attributed to the diesel Indica and Indigo models. Today, diesel dominates petrol. Will this domination stay for long? Will diesel cars succeed in making their own markets or will diesel be replaced by hybrids and electrics? Only time will tell. Labels: Diesel, Diesel cars, maruti swift diesel
Wednesday, 11 June 2008
Though diesel cars arrived much later than petrol cars in India, they have always been more popular in the Indian market due to the high fuel economy they deliver. Very few car manufacturers in the country have shyed away from introducing diesel car variants or models. One of them is Honda. Honda has clung on to petrol engines over the entire decade that they have been in the country. Recently, there have been rumours that Honda is planning to introduce a diesel variant of one of its existing models. It’s supposed by many that the model could very well be their popular SUV – the Honda CR-V. Labels: Diesel cars, Honda, new car launch
Wednesday, 7 May 2008
The popularity of Diesel cars are increasing among mid-size car buyers lately. In the year 07-08 almost all mid-size car makers have reported 60-70 percent of total sales being diesel cars. Car manufacturers Ford, Hyundai, Mahindra Renault and Mitsubishi have reported that diesel cars form a bulk of the demand. If the trend continues at the same pace, diesel cars could form 50 percent of the total cars sold in India in a couple of years. The diesel cars have outnumbered petrol version in ratio of 7:3. This is because diesel technology has gone through several changes in the last couple of years. Diesel cars scores high on the fuel efficiency and emission parameters than petrol cars. Also, diesel cars give better running cost. With these differences, the petrol cars are likely to loose popularity. Even European countries are slowly inclining towards diesel cars. Cheaper mode of transport and easy affordability will be the prime factors for choosing a car in the years to come. Labels: Diesel cars, Petrol cars
Monday, 5 May 2008
All those who wished that Honda CR-V had diesel variants can see their dream come true soon. Honda is planning to bring in a diesel variants for the modern SUV. The petrol version has already set a high standard for quality. However, the key factor will be pricing. If Honda plans to keep the prices, it will naturally cut costs on interior comforts. The diesel variants could come without automatic transmission and CD changers. The CR-V is facing stiff competition from Chevrolet Captiva. Honda would also not like to upset its customers with a high priced diesel variant as Captiva already has an affordable diesel variant below the CR-V price range. It remains to be seen whether the two will compete neck to neck or one will beat the other in technology and competition. Labels: Diesel cars, Honda CR-V
Tuesday, 1 April 2008
It is good news that the excise duty has been reduced vastly on small cars. The government should have scrapped excise duty completely on electric car. Electric cars would have received a huge push in sales, if the prices dropped. The concept of electric car has been popular in India since Maini Revai was launched. The car is also credited to be the highest selling electric car in the world. Though people are interested in pollution control by opting it, most car buyers have shunned it and going for petrol and diesel cars since it is priced heavily. The another electric and environmentally-friendly car Bavina is set to launch this year and many other companies are in different stages of developing electric cars, a little reduction of price or abolition of excise duty on electric cars would surely encourage buyers to drive home electric cars. Labels: Car-Sales, Diesel cars, Electric Car, Environment friendly car, Excise duty, Maini Reva, Petrol cars
Monday, 18 February 2008
You now have a chance to get your hands on a BMW. The luxury car manufacturer has launched a new diesel variant for the BMW 3 Series line-up as the 320d Highline. It comes with luxurious features like xenon headlights, a glass roof, and light alloy wheels. A premium sound system is also part of an optional package.
It is like BMW is treating Indians with the best of European hospitality. The luxury car buyer can now actually choose from the best features of the world and zoom around on Indian roads. All BMW fans take note of this information to make purchase. Rush to the nearest BMW store or contact BMW online. Labels: BMW-Cars, Car-features, Diesel cars, luxury cars, New variant
Friday, 15 February 2008
May be Maruti Suzuki India did not want to discontinue the Esteem after all, but was forced to do so. I recently came across the report that the Bharat Stage III emission norms will come into effect from April 1. This will imply that manufacturing units will have to discontinue production of those cars that do not meet and comply with the emission norms.
The law has not only come down heavily on diesel cars, but also old cars which spewed pollution happily. Diesel cars have high emission levels as compared to petrol cars. Unfortunately Esteem came into this category and the low sales drove the company to consider closing down its production.
My father owns an Esteem and I admire the car for its power. While I understand that such laws are necessary, I don’t like the idea of not having the opportunity to buy a great car like the Esteem. I think Maruti should just change the engine of the car and improve its emission and restart its sales.
Article Submitted by Anand J Labels: Car-Emissions, Diesel cars, Maruti, Model discountinued
Thursday, 7 February 2008
I recently went to inquire for a diesel small car. To my surprise I found that only the Tata Indica was sold in diesel option while all others had only petrol run engines. All the Maruti and Hyundai small cars like Alto, Zen, Santro, and others have all come with only petrol run cars. Diesel options for some are just being introduced. Why are customers not offered diesel option in small cars when 85 percent of cars sold in India are small cars? It is surprising that car manufacturers have skipped India in their plans when diesel cars give 30 percent higher fuel efficiency (I looked it up in Wiki) and it is important for any working person in India to save on money. Why should only compact sedan car owners and above get an option for diesel cars? It is high time that the small car manufacturers re-think their strategy and come with more cost-effective and fuel efficient technology for small cars. Left with no option, I was forced to buy a petrol car and am worried sick about the havoc the petrol bill will create for me every month!
Article Submitted by Jai Labels: Diesel cars, Petrol cars
Thursday, 17 January 2008
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: Diesel cars, One-Lakh-Rupee-Car, Ultra cheap cars
Monday, 14 January 2008
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
Tuesday, 18 December 2007
Maruti Suzuki plans to set up a full fledged car-designing centre in India which is also going to be second biggest in Asia. It is also believed the success of its global car Swift has prompted Maruti Suzuki India to take up this step. This will be part of the R & D centre, which will come up as part of the expansion plan of the company in India. The company has big time future plans. It plans to launch five new models including a diesel car in the next five years and start designing cars in India by 2010. Labels: Diesel cars, India, Maruti Suzuki, Maruti Swift
Diesel does give a better fuel economy. But, at what cost! According to a study, diesel is the main culprit in polluting the environment. Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) and Pune-based Automotive Research Association of India have shown exactly that. They say that even Euro II-compliant diesel cars spew 7.5 times more toxic emissions than the petrol cars. Diesel-emission is already very high in the cities, especially in Delhi. It is a matter of grave concern that the monthly levels of tiny particulates are increasing rapidly. An increasing number of patients afflicted with asthma, lung diseases and bronchitis is a proof enough to warrant an immediate action. It is an open secret that a long-term exposure to this type of pollution can cause lung cancer. If not checked in time, the pollution can cripple our future. In a time when more than half of Indian cities have reached critical levels of air pollution, the popularity of diesel cars is increasing leaps and bounds. They account for nearly 30 per cent of the new car sales. This share is tipped to increase to 50 per cent by 2010. Labels: Automotive Reseach Association, Diesel cars, Diesel emission, Fuel economy, Indian cities, Pollution
Wednesday, 7 November 2007
Speculations have it that a smaller diesel engine variant of the Suzuki SX4 is coming to Indian shores to be sold alongside the Japanese automaker's current 1.9 liter SX4 hit. Suzuki has definitely recognized that more has to be done to expand its SX4 model and introducing a diesel variant is the ticket. According to sources, the new diesel variant will sport a Peugeot-sourced 87 bhp 1.6-litre engine. In addition to the modified 1.6-litre engine the vehicle will be linked to a five-speed manual gearbox. This is likely to power the SX4 1.6 DDiS with 0-62 mph in 12.2 sec and a top speed of 109 mph. Thus, it's imperative that Suzuki find a way to differentiate the two variants while maintaining the SX4's appeal. The new variant will be a two-wheel drive. However, the features provided are similar to those in the 1.6-litre petrol SX4. The standard features will be a manual air-conditioning, heated door mirrors, 16-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, front fog lights, and wheel-arch extensions. The key to success of this variant will definitely be its price tag. Wait and watch is what I say! Labels: cars-India, Diesel cars, Global players, Indian car market, Maruti Suzuki, New variant, SX4
Thursday, 18 October 2007
Buyers now have another reason to buy a Tata vehicle, besides the excellent capacity and the truly affordable price. Tata Motors has unveiled the new Indica with more safety features. Carmaker Tata Motors on Wednesday introduced a new variant of its flagship hatchback Indica sporting dual front airbags and an anti-lock braking system. Further, the new variant is expected to cater to customers’ with an ex-showroom Delhi price tag of Rs. 4.76 lakh. Tata is trying to engineer these safety features to the top-end variants of Indica. Perhaps one of the most important efforts is adding all these safety features to the IndicaV2 Turbo and Indica DLX that already have a full-fledged safety facility. Everybody knows that since its launch, Indica is Tata’s best selling hatchback in India. Currently the existing Indica comes with standard safety features like anti-submarine seats, side-impact beams, front crumple zones, collapsible steering column, energy absorbing bumpers, and ELR type seat belts. A 1.4 liter, diesel engine drops 61 horses with the smoothest and best-sounding turbo in Indica. Since its launch in 1998 the company has produced over 8 lakh units for the fastest and most powerful hot hatch’s sale. Labels: Diesel cars, Indian car market, New variant, Safety features improved, Tata
Wednesday, 10 October 2007
Raising petrol prices have made manufacturers think seriously of an alternative. Though air cars and gas fitted cars are in the list, it is diesel cars that are gaining popularity. Now, diesel cars are designed to be more environment friendly without too much of a price difference. It is less money and low emissions that are bringing diesel vehicles to the top. Auto manufacturers are also taking keen interest in this front. Recently launched diesel vehicles include Chevrolet Optra and Hyundai Getz Prime to name a few. Other auto majors are planning to launch diesel variants that can pose sturdy competitions to petrol vehicles. Though it was initially thought that diesel vehicles give-out more pollutants and are troublesome, extensive research has put an end to this notion. Diesel vehicles spill-out lesser pollutants than the petrol engine. I have been a petrol car lover since the beginning, but now with all these benefits that accompany diesel cars, I am definitely switching over to diesel. With low emissions and less expenditure on gas I can retain a fat wallet while avoiding guilt towards the environment. Labels: Car-competition, Chevrolet, Diesel cars, Hyundai, Indian car market
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