Sumo and Indica need a facelift
Tata Motors is well ahead of the rest in a race to capture the market. But the reputed auto giant seems unfulfilled when it comes to design and safety on its models and not without reason.
Take a look at the Tata Sumo. The vehicle has a strong chassis and a good powertrain that’s probably picked up from Tata’s truck line-up. However, inspite of recent model remakes, it retains its tin-box image.
Another model which received a new look recently is the Indica. Besides being reliable and economical, the car has catered to passenger convenience to a good extent. Yet the styling still looks pretty dated and reminds one of cars that ruled the roads a decade ago. Tata should work toward seeing off the current taxi-wala image of these indigeneous models.
Article submitted by Kishore Nandan
Labels: Facelift, Indigeneous, Submitted Article, Tata, Taxi
Sonata Embera to spruce up
Hyundai is considering another facelift for its flagship brand
Sonata Embera. Sonata was well-received by Indian car enthusiasts on its introduction in July 2001.
But by 2006, it started feeling the heat of competition from other international car models and its sales graph went south. Doing what most car manufacturers do in such a crisis, Hyundai bounced back with a larger and better-looking ‘Sonata Embera’.
In order to win a larger clientele, Hyundai equipped the Embera with a
diesel engine and offered an
automatic transmission option. Although the tactics augmented the car’s appeal, they fell flat on sales expectations. Seeing the model’s success in other markets, adamant Hyundai does not seem ready to phase it out.
Actually, Sonata’s performance has never been doubted. If cars were to sell on the basis of performance, Sonata would have raked in a lot of moolah for Hyundai. Its low price and unique look have the potential to make endear it to
car buyers.
A little bird has told that the new Embera could appear anytime in 2008, whereas the present market scenario suggests its launch sometime in 2009. Yet the speculations finally rest with Hyundai.
Labels: Facelift, Hyundai, New launch
Innova to get a facelift for 2008
Toyota Innova, India's most preferred
Multi Purpose Vehicle, is all set to get a facelift soon. The sporty looking Innova is on the roads everywhere in the country. It’s been the most preferred choice for cabs and is very popular with large families. Its competitive pricing has done it wonders.
Toyota wants to give the Indian public an even better looking
Innova. The slightly re-designed Innova could be on the market by 2008.
The second generation Innova will undergo several minor changes. The focus will be on bumpers, headlights and taillights. On the inside, the model could add a new climate control system and parking sensors. With the new Innova speculated to be larger than its predecessor, parking sensors could be just what the people would want for a long car such as this.
Toyota’s idea of a facelift for the Innova could be to get a better hold over the MPV segment. With news of the
Mercedes-Benz Viano hitting the market soon, we aren’t too surprised. Price is definitely not something Toyota would worry about with the Viano.
Labels: Facelift, Innova, Mercedes-Benz, MPV, Toyota, Viano
