|
|
|
|
| 
Subscribe to
Posts [Atom] |
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
Tuesday, 4 March 2008
The race is on to capture the small car segment in India. While many car manufacturers are toying with ideas of releasing small cars at ultra-low costs to reach out to the common man in India, foreign car manufacturers are also thinking the same.
BMW, Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche, Volvo and Fiat for example are striving hard to make their cars affordable in India and also to enable at the least upper-middle class to be able to own their cars by shelling out decent amounts. Not to be left behind, Fiat has already decided to roll out its most popular European small car Fiat 500 and the Fiat Bravo at Rs.10 lakh in India. Volkswagen and BMW are waiting to release the Beetle and Mini Cooper brands respectively within the limit of Rs. 20 lakh. The entry of foreign cars with competitive price tags in India will surely make Indian car manufacturers to give good cars at reasonable price. Labels: Audi, BMW-Cars, Fiat, Foreign cars, Small car market in India
Wednesday, 20 February 2008
The mind always wonders about progress. The huge hype about foreign car makers making a beeline to India along with well-known component makers is a progress that definitely entices a person to think of the reasons. Is it India’s greatness or another countries downfall?
In the aftermath of the US economy decline, the Bloomberg report (on climate and green house gases) stated reasons for the sudden affection of Car manufacturers towards China and India. China is one of the cheapest places for manufacturing any commodity in the world and it is also becoming the second largest car market in the world. However, China carries risks of a slow down similar to the US market recession. The already under-performing auto sector fears that if China goes down, they are doomed to see history repeat itself.
India, on the other hand, as a marketing hub can sustain decent sales figures and maintain profit margins for a long time to come. So, the progress India sees is not due to any love that the foreign market suddenly has for India, but rather fear that brings two options: Change and expand or Die a slow death. Labels: Car market, Foreign cars, India
Tuesday, 19 February 2008
The car manufacturing sectors bewildered by the rising steel prices have now got a breather. The steel prices have been cut by Rs 500 - Rs 1000 per tonne due to the steel minister Ram Vilas Paswan. The roll-back in prices has come into effect from Feb 15.
I think that this will come as good news for car manufacturers in India, not to mention share holders like me in steel. It will also help many more foreign car companies to turn India into their manufacturing hub. Car manufacturers, who have citied rising input costs as a major cause of worry, can now relax for some time.
I hope the steel prices are contained for another few years and excise duty is reduced to encourage production volumes. The car companies, in turn, should pass on these benefits to the consumers and their share holders.
Article Submitted by AK Labels: Car manufacturing, Foreign cars, steel
Monday, 18 February 2008
I was waiting to take part in the Auto Expo, but I missed the opportunity two years back. I enjoyed the recently concluded Auto Expo at New Delhi in Jan. Most people are hardly interest in the auto industry and usually do not bother about the auto expo and other auto-related events, but this time I was thunder-struck to find even a common person talking about the Expo even before the Expo started. Most of the newspapers, TV channels, and car portals started churning out stories on the Expo and gave a wide coverage of the event.
Why so much hype? Simple - the 1-lakh car, Nano. Nano walked away with all the honors when it was introduced at the Expo gearing people to go out of their way to come and see this small wonder in Delhi. I was proud to be a part of such a memorable event.
I am going to take part in the 78th Geneva Auto Show in March and just heard that Tata is going to display the Nano there as well. This will be Tata’s 11th year of participation in the Geneva Auto Show. Nano was born in India and will make its first International debut at this event.
Only BMW, Ferrari, Audi, Bentley, Mercedes-Benz, and other global players have been the highlight at Geneva, but this time Nano will leave these foreign car manufacturers gawking at its achievement!
Article Submitted by AutoMeFreakLabels: Auto-Expo, Auto-Shows, Foreign cars, media coverage, tata nano
Friday, 7 December 2007
The Fiat 500 won the car of the year award for 2008. Fiat is the only automobile manufacturer in the world that has won the coveted European Car of the Year award nine times. It was voted the best by a large contingent of 58 journalists from 22 European countries. The 500 was voted ahead of the Ford Mazda II and Ford Mondeo. It is Italy’s national icon, with the original 1957 version selling close to four million units, until it was phased out in 1975. After its re-launch, Fiat decided to regain its coveted place in the European car market and is offering the largest possible offer of 500,000 different ways to configure the car with its myriad options. It is also offering the electric fragrance diffuser for those who love the smell of fresh morning air in the cabin. The available engines include a 1.3-litre multi-jet diesel that churns out 74 bhp (which also powers the Swift diesel in India) and two types of petrol: a 1.2-litre that produces 68 bhp and a 1.4-litre that generates 100 bhp. Fiat comes with a five-star safety rating and is packed with the latest safety equipments including an ABS with electronic stability program. The interiors have a funky design with high quality elements and a digital instrumental panel. India operations: As far as Fiat India’s plans go, the company plans to turn India into a centre for its Asia operations. Indians have a long association with Fiat, but will have to wait for sometime longer for the Fiat 500 compact car to tread on Indian roads. Labels: Auto-Shows, Award winning car, Compact cars, Driving imported cars, Fiat, Ford, Foreign cars
|
|
