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Monday, 25 January 2010
Maruti Suzuki has a reason to smile.
The car maker announced that there is an over three-fold increase in its quarterly net profit. The net profit is at Rs.687.53 Crore in the third quarter of the current fiscal ending December 31, 2009, against the same quarter of previous fiscal year, while its net sales went up by over 62 per cent to Rs.7,334 Crore.
This profit can be said to have been fuelled by easy and affordable car loans and a reviving domestic economy.
Maruti Suzuki's chief financial officer Ajay Seth remarked, "This has been a good quarter," as he announced the company would expand capacity to defend its market leadership position from global rivals and meet increasing domestic demand.
Many car makers such as General Motors, Renault, Toyota and many more have disclosed their plans for new car launches in India to have a bigger piece of the fast-growing market share to counter sluggish demand in the developed countries because of the global recession.
India has now emerged as the third largest car market in Asia, China being the first followed by Japan. Moreover, India is one of the few countries where automobile sales are rapidly increasing. In India, car sales jumped 19 per cent last year to 1.43 million units.
Maruti Suzuki sells about one in two cars in the country and its sales jumped 62.5 percent to 73.34 billion rupees.
Ajay Seth also said Maruti Suzuki planned to invest 17 billion rupees to make 250,000 more cars each year from April 2012, thereby increasing the total capacity from one million units to two and a half times. This expansion would take place at the car company's facility at Manesar. He added that the car maker could further ramp up capacity "if there is a need later."
The car manufacturer attributed the profit increase partly to government stimulus measures aimed at helping the industry ride out the global economic slump. These measures have put more money into the hands of India’s growing middle class.
The company said that favourable conditions in the domestic market supported by the government’s stimulus package and ease of automobile finance helped achieve good sales. Nearly four-fifths of cars in India are bought using car loans.
Maruti Suzuki’s domestic sales in the quarter jumped by 38 per cent to 218,910 units while exports soared by 167 per cent to 39,116 vehicles, spurred by European government incentives to scrap gas guzzlers.
The company is now "cautiously optimistic" about sales volumes in the fourth quarter but added rising commodity prices would put pressure on profit margins. Labels: Car-Sales, India-Car-Exports, Indian-car-market, Maruti-Suzuki, Maruti-Suzuki-Cars, Maruti-Suzuki-Cars-India, New-Car-Launch-In-India, New-Cars-India
Tuesday, 19 January 2010
Maruti Suzuki declared to raise the price of its car models as a result of the increase in input costs, including that of steel. Now Tata Motors and Mahindra & Mahindra have joined the same bandwagon to offset input cost.
The Indica cars and the Indigo range from Tata Motors stable will be dearer. In the same way, the Xylo, Scorpio and Bolero from Mahindra & Mahindra have become costlier now.
Tata Motors has hiked the price ranging from Rs 5,000-8,000 on the Indica and Indigo car models. India’s famous SUV maker Mahindra & Mahindra has also raised the price of its most successful Scorpio SUV by something between Rs 6,400 and Rs 9,300. While The Mahindar Xylo has now become costlier by Rs 4,600 and the Bolero now comes with Rs 4,800 more.
The primary reason for the price hike is the rise in price of the inputs required to make cars and car parts.
The price rise on Tata Motors and Mahindra & Mahindra automobiles will be applicable on the new 2010 models.
India’s second largest car maker Hyundai is also contemplating a price rise. While Honda and Toyota have hiked their car prices as a result of the appreciation of Yen. Labels: Car-prices, Cars-in-India, Indian-car-market, Indian-Car-Prices, Indian-cars, Mahindra-Mahindra, Maruti-Suzuki, Tata-Motors
Wednesday, 13 January 2010
 Get a load of this. Rolls Royce has taken 60 orders in November-December 2009 for its newly launched Rolls Royce Ghost in India. How cools is that? India is finally back to its old ways in the global business of buying Rolls Royce cars, punching above its weight. This fact certainly is a nostalgic-feel for the RR marquee. India is back in track from where it started for RR market. The new breed of Indian business tycoons are following in the footsteps of the pre-war maharajahs in their quest for luxury cars, snapping up the new $600,000 Rolls-Royce Ghost at the fastest rate in the world. The first Ghost will be delivered to a Chennai based realtor next month. Rolls-Royce, the iconic British carmaker now owned by BMW, is hoping for big things from the Ghost, a “baby” 2.4-tonne luxury sedan that is about 40 per cent cheaper than the company’s flagship Phantom range. Rolls Royce’s global sales dropped southwards with just 1000 RR Phantoms being sold in 2009 when compared to 1212 in 2008 thanks to the Global recession. But RR is quite optimistic this year and targets selling 2500 units of Phantom and Ghosts this year. The Ghost, was unveiled at the September 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show as the new entry level Roller. Though Abu Dhabi and Dubai were the top sales outlets for Rolls Royce in 2008, thanks to the global financial crisis, the Middle-East luxury car sales is now cooling off and the new markets for the RR is emerging from the Asia-Pacific particularly from countries like China and India. RR expects to sell over 400 units with China accounting for half of the sales while India, Japan and Australia raking the rest of RR units. RR though is targeting the global market for its sales, Indian car market will always remain special to the Rolls Royce as the saga of RR in India dates back to 1907 when Maharaja of Gwalior, Madho Rao Scindia , imported the first example of the car to India , just three years after Rolls-Royce was formed. India, pre-independence though predominantly a British Raj, was a royal mass of land with over 500 princely states in it. Most the maharajas and Royals of these princely states were avid buyers of the brand, customizing them to suit Indian conditions. The Nizam of Hyderabad, for example, had a fleet of 50 Rollers, while the Maharajah of Patiala had 44 in his collection. But with the coming of Indian independence in 1947, royals and Maharajas were forced to abandon their ostentatious lifestyles and lead a life of austerity for many decades to come. Their Rolls-Royces were garaged or sold to private collectors, such as the industrialist Pranlal Bhogilal, who has a collection of 200-plus vintage cars on his estate near Ahmedabad. Further financial privation for the royals came in 1971 when then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi abolished the Privy Purse system of payments to them. By this time Rolls Royce had withdrawn from the Indian market and it was not until 2005 that it returned, appointing Navnit Motors in Mumbai as first authorized RR dealer in almost 50 years. Navnit subsequently opened a showroom in Mumbai’s Atria Mall in May 2006, and this was followed by a second Rolls-Royce dealership in India in September 2008, when Select Cars opened a showroom in New Delhi. Going by the reports of the latest world wealth published by consulting firms Capgemini and Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, India had 84,000 US-dollar millionaires at the start of last year, down more than 30 per cent from an estimated 123,000 at the start of 2008, when share markets were at their peak. Of the 84,000, about 1000 Indians are in the “ultra” high net worth category, with assets above US$30 million, while between 50 and 100 are billionaires. India has already become a land of modern new age Maharajas. While high net worth individual numbers may have receded a little from early 2008, the return of strong economic growth in the second half of 2009 in both India and China points to strong sales ahead for sellers of luxury goods. China’s GDP growth in 2010 is likely to be around 9 to 9.5 per cent, while India should reach 7.5 per cent. That compares with just a 2.2 per cent outlook for the US and 3.5 per cent for the world overall. This is what makes India a fertile hunting ground for Rolls-Royce and other luxury car purveyors such as Bentley, which is owned by BMW’s rival German maker Volkswagen. Maybach, the Mercedes-Benz luxury model, rounds out the trio of brands at the top catering to the “chairman” segment, where customization is the name of the game. Family crests, cocktail cabinets, special carpet trim and unique colour combinations are among the personal touches most often requested. In addition to the “chairman” luxury-car segment, there is also strong Indian demand for sports-style “supercars,” where names like Ferrari, Lamborghini and Porsche dominate the market. Source: The Australian Labels: Bentley, BMW, Ferrari, Indian-car-market, Lamborghini, Luxury-Cars-In-India, Porsche, Rolls-Royce, Rolls-Royce-Ghost, Rolls-Royce-Phantom, Sports-Car, Volkswagen
Wednesday, 2 December 2009
Cars will be dearer with the coming of the New Year. The increase in input cost of the materials like steel, aluminum and rubber is the result of car price inflation. Moreover, stricter emission norm is going to be implemented from April next year and the automobile companies are working on that. The Euro IV emission norms will be applicable in big metros while the Bharat Stage III norms will be applicable in the rest of the country. An investment of Rs 5,000-15,000 is needed on the up gradation of the cars. Cars from the mills of Toyota and General Motors will be costlier by 3 per cent of their existing price. Toyota Kirloskar Motor revealed that it will increase the price only of the Innova, Corolla Altis and Fortuner by 1.5 to 2 per cent from January 1 next year. India’s numero uno Maruti Suzuki is pondering over the price rise issue. Similarly, Mahindra & Mahindra and Hyundai Motors India said that they are assessing the situation. But Honda Siel Car India has declared that it has no plans to go for a price hike at present. Where will this inflation lead India to? Though the car price rise will not impact the Indian car buyers’ crave for buying cars, it surely will boost the auto manufacturer’s morale and fill the coffers of the Indian government. The ever-growing Indian car market will not stop at this small hitch! Labels: Car-Price-Inflation, Indian-Car-Buyer, Indian-car-market
Friday, 20 November 2009
Of late, India has cemented its place as the hottest destination for auto makers across the world. Car manufacturers invested on the growing Indian car market and they are now reaping the harvest of their investments. Japanese Suzuki Motor Corporation has emerged as the largest car maker of India with its Indian arm, Maruti Suzuki. Suzuki trebled its full-year global net income forecast on the back of strong Indian operations, despite sluggish sales overseas. While home market Japan as well as European countries contracted for Suzuki, India remained the only market to grow, with first half sales here moving up by 24 per cent at 4.7 lakh units against 3.8 lakh units in the corresponding period. Ten year old Korean car company Hyundai follows the Japanese car behemoth in this regard. It has a capacity of producing around 6 lakh units, half of which service export markets. The company has earmarked India as one of the hubs for manufacture of models like i10, i20 and Santro and sells India-made cars to over 100 countries. While developed markets in Europe and US remain under pressure, operations in India have been gradually growing. The company's cumulative sales in January-October 2009 period have grown by 12 per cent year-on-year at 4.57 lakh units (4.07 lakh) with domestic sales up 11 per cent at 2.39 lakh units and exports up 13 per cent at 2.17 lakh units. Honda too gets a sizeable portion of its revenues, sales and profits from its Indian subsidiary. It will bring its proposed small car for India by 2011. Beleaguered General Motors has its business flowing only in India in these hard times with its Chevrolet brand. Volkswagen, Fiat and Ford are expanding in India. While Nissan and Renault are trying to establish a firmer grip in the market shares and are coming with a low-cost car. Labels: Chevrolet, General-Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Indian-car-market, Maruti-Suzuki, Suzuki-Motor-Corporation
Wednesday, 14 October 2009
The latest entrant to the growing Indian car market is the Chinese auto makers. These automakers from China are keeping themselves busy by sealing agreements with Indian car makers to form a joint venture in a bid to sell their competitively-priced brands in the Indian car market.
Chinese carmakers such as Chery Automobile, China FAW Group, Great Wall Motor Co and Zotye Auto are trying to find a place for themselves in their neighbouring country after setting up operations in Latin America, Eastern Europe, Africa and Russia.
As China develops price-competitive products, their products have a lot of opportunity in India. Besides, the Indian auto market is very price and value sensitive.
The erstwhile Premier Automobile Limited (PAL) now known as Premier Auto has partnered Chinese Zotye Auto to launch a compact Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) in the Indian market. The base variant of the mini SUV is expected to be priced at Rs 5 lakh, the cost of a mid-size sedan in India. Other Chinese firms such as Chery, FAW and Great Wall have had discussions with potential Indian partners to come into the car market of the country.
One of the new entrants in the commercial vehicles segment in India, the Asia MotorWorks imports heavy truck kits from China, while Hindustan Motors has tied up with Shandong Shifeng to import knocked-down kits of mini trucks from the company. On the other hand, Bajaj Auto is buying parts and kits from China to retain competitiveness. However, the company continues to make the engines for these export models at its Indian plants.
Over the years, Chinese companies have built huge car making volumes that are expected to touch 12 million vehicles this year, more than those in the US and ten times India’s capacity. Moreover, China has now started to focus on quality instead of volume. There has been a lot of push from their government for them to develop indigenous vehicles and stand firmly on quality parameters.
As volumes start building up, economies of scale kick in. Manufacturers start investing in better dies, tooling, fixtures, gauges and other production equipment, giving components consistency, quality and accuracy.
An indirect subsidy from the government has helped Chinese auto firms price their products competitively. While almost every Chinese carmaker would like to enter the promising Indian market, they are likely to face copyright issues similar to the ones they faced in the developed world, especially the US and Europe.
Many western automakers have accused Chinese companies of copying their design. Apart from possible copyright issues, another inhibitor would be finding local partners as there aren’t enough established Indian OEMs that are without any tie-ups.
Like in India, car ownership in China is low, only 15-17 people per thousand own a car, presenting a significant growth opportunity in the Chinese automotive market. A two-decade headstart in reforms when compared to India and government support—by way of purchase tax trimming, car subsidy programme for rural areas and subsidy for vehicle scrap, among others—helped Chinese auto market grow.
Chinese automakers have grown by adopting practical and frugal strategies when deciding capital expenditure on their plants and many facilities have manual assembly lines, developed at a low cost, that deliver quality and productivity.
Labels: Chinese-Car-Market, Indian-Car-Manufacturers, Indian-car-market
Friday, 9 October 2009
Now you need not have to predict or guess the plans of the US car maker, Ford Motor, for the Indian car market. The company has already made it public. And it seems that the company has a vivid and fruitful plan that will be beneficial both for the company and the Indian car market. To start with the company has plans to launch new car in India every 12-18 months. And this, the company thinks will help it to enhance the market share of the company. The company now has a market share of about 2 per cent and the company does not want to remain the same position, but it wants to grow along with the growing Indian car industry. Now you can do a bit of guess work here as the company has not let out any information about what sort of market share is the company is planning to accomplish in the long run. The company has also set a target of selling over 30,000 units this year, aiming at selling 1,000 units extra this year compared to 2008, where the company was able to sell 29,000 cars. The company is also a marking an increase in sale on a monthly basis. In the month of September this year, the company was able to send 3,500 cars, a 50 per cent increase on year-on-year basis. Ford has been exporting car that it has manufactured in India to South Africa. And the company is also planning to work on exporting more cars this year. The company has high hopes on the launch of Ford Figo and the relaunching of Ford Endeavour. Labels: Car-Export, Ford, Ford-Endeavour, Ford-Figo, Indian-car-market
Tuesday, 29 September 2009
There was once a time when India’s mode of transportation was referred to in German industrial circles as the ‘world’s bullock cart’. But now things have utterly changed. At the 63rd IAA that concluded on Sunday, it has been noticed that the German car makers are very much interested to be a part of the ever growing Indian car market. One of the reasons is these car manufacturers are having a tough time in the markets of Europe, Japan and the US. German carmakers are trying to grab the attention of the markets in the so-called BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) countries. And India is the favourite destination of the global car makers as the country clearly stands out with a large cash-rich middle-class whose appetite for luxury products, including foreign brand-name cars. Hence it was no surprise that India was the centre of attraction at the Frankfurt's International Motor Exhibition, popularly known by its German acronym IAA. Moreover, a special India Day was organised to highlight the opportunities and challenges of the Indian market. The ten-day Frankfurt Motor Show which ended on 27th took place under a dark and uncertain atmosphere because of the dismal economic condition as a major crisis still continues to haunt the West's automobile industry. Germany's car industry continues to bleed with declining sales and revenue therefore the German carmakers feel that one "simply cannot bypass the future market India". To highlight the market potential, it has been mentioned at the India Day that whereas one out of two Germans drives a car, in India the ratio is 11 cars to 1,000 people. India is at present the world’s eleventh largest automobile producer and is poised to take up the seventh position by 2016. Moreover, Management consultancy Deloitte predicts that by 2020, consumers will prefer small and energy-efficient cars and production will take place mainly in Asia, another reason to woo India. It has been predicted that turnover volume in the Indian market in the coming seven years would rise from $36 billion to $115 billion. That would account for a 10 per cent share of India's GDP by 2016. The number of workers directly or indirectly employed by the automobile industry would double to 25 million. Besides, it has been revealed that Europe’s and Germany’s number one car maker Volkswagen will join hands with Japanese carmaker Suzuki which has a tie-up with India's Maruti. Indian carmakers at the Frankfurt event appeared confident and bullish, buoyed by the unprecedented attention they received at the exhibition. Consultancy firm Management Engineers has estimated that India's small-car market is the world's second fastest growing after China. The annual growth rate, it says, is 7-8 cars per 1,000 residents in India. Small cars presently account for some 61 percent of India's automobile market while vans and SUVs make up some 13 percent. But German automobile experts are aware that India is not a "cakewalk" and German automakers such as Audi, BMW and Daimler have experienced that Indians wanted "the best product at the lowest possible price". Labels: Frankfurt's-International-Motor-Exhibition, Frankfurt-Motor-Show, German-Car-Makers, IAA, Indian-car-industry, Indian-car-market
Monday, 21 September 2009
 Ghost will haunt you day and night as it has already been launched! There is nothing supernatural about it; it is about the Rolls Royce Ghost that we are speaking about here as the it has been officially launched at the ongoing Frankfurt Motor Show. The Ghost is a production model from Rolls Royce, which has a much informal presence than the Rolls Royce Phantom. It is really a triumphant task to more explain about the Rolls Royce Ghost which is designed to perfection and will be subject to awe and inspiration with its prevailing, focused proportions. And it seems to surely make the whole Rolls Royce folks really proud of their creation. The Ghost will be available in a latest, 6.6-litre twin-turbo V12 that produces 563 horsepower and 780Nm of torque and has an eight-speed shift-by-wire automatic transmission from ZF. And it will pick up the pace from zero to 100km/h in just 4.7 seconds and strike an electronically governed top speed of 248 kilometre in an hour. The Rolls Royce Ghost rides on double-wishbone (front) and multi-link (rear) suspension and it works with an intellectual air-suspension system and electronic variable damping. The interior of the Ghost is a perfect blend of the premium features and materials. It has the finest and highly expensive wood, leather, and other materials used for style and comfort. The interior is also fitted with the latest, entertainment and navigation electronics that is available in the car market, making this proud machine a truly supreme car. India is now among the most promising luxury car market, and the Indian car buyers need not feel miserable, though in limited numbers, the Ghost will also be coming to the Indian car market in 2010. As the company has not mentioned about how much will it be priced in the India, there are plenty of speculations about its price. Labels: Indian-car-market, Rolls-Royce, Rolls-Royce-Ghost, Rolls-Royce-Phantom
Friday, 18 September 2009
The buzz at the moment, no matter whether it is the automobile sector or other industrial sectors, is going green or being eco friendly. And the haunting thoughts of a tomorrow, with so much pollution around are the reason why companies around the world are thinking ways to eradicate pollution, at least to some extent. Enoc International Sales Ltd., a subsidiary of Emirates National Oil Company (Enoc) in United Arab Emirates (UAE) has introduced two new engine oils targeting a pollution-free tomorrow. The new engine oils, The Protect Green 5W 40 and Vulcan Green 10W 40 engine oils guarantees higher fuel efficiency and less pollution, and it seems to be the future of engine oils. The engine oil could be used for both petrol and diesel engine vehicles and it is the first of its kind initiative from a UAE oil company. This engine oil will surely alter the industry standards and helps in pollution free tomorrow. Talking about the engine oils in detail, both of them will have low content of sulphated ash and phosphorous. It takes care of the metals present in exhaust gas treatment. Even though these engine oils can be used in both petrol and diesel engine vehicles, it will be best suited for vehicles that are designed for exhaust gas emission controls and low sulfur fuels. There have already been high praises coming up for the quality of the engine oil. According to the American Petroleum Institute (API) and major European and American original engine manufacturers’ specifications, the oils have long drain capability. Both the engines oils are complying to the UAE emission control standards, but the Indian cars market may not have them very soon, they will have to wait a little longer to get lubricated with this Green engine oils. But whatever may, this is a really futuristic invention. Labels: Eco-Friendly, Eco-Friendly-Engine-Oils, Indian-car-market
Tuesday, 15 September 2009
What would you think is the possible time that the world car market will take before it wakes up from its slumber? If you think the answer is one year or two years or perhaps three or four years, well you may be right as you still would be guessing as there is no specific answer for this question. But it will take a considerable amount of time before it swings back to the good old prosperous days. Though no one really knows how much time will it take, foreseeing the future, we can take a wild guess and beat around the bush saying that the golden days of the past will soon be back. The car market that we are speaking about is the American car market which is trying hard to regulate itself with the global car market. And the American car market seems to not have a glorious time. It was the most thriving market in the world but before the “Motown meltdown” last year which turned the whole car industry upside down. American car market is now in a stage of rebuilding itselves from a very steep fall. The fall of the American car market was best utilized by the Indian and the Chinese car markets. Both the markets, especially the Chinese car market, have grown really big and they even have able to mark a strong base in the American car market, which is very evident in a recent study that shows the growing demand of Indian and Chinese cars in the American market. The Chinese car market, for the first time, is expected to be emerged as the number one car market of the world. And the growing Chinese car market is the reason why the world car market did not fall into a disastrous phase, but it will not be able to stand holds the global market for a long time. The only car market that will push the global car market back to its normal self is the American car market. And this will certainly take some time. The American auto majors, Ford and General Motors, does not expose a favourable condition and this could be a reason for further trouble in the American market, but whatever may the once majestic American car market will regain its past glory and together with it the global car market too. Labels: American-Car-Market, Ford, General-Motors, Indian-car-market
Thursday, 10 September 2009
The cars from China are the best in the industry but it should not come as a surprise that the Indian cars are outselling them. And remembering the booming demand for the Indian cars in the American market, it will not be a wild guess to mention that the Indian car market has a reason to celebrate, not only because it was able to beat China in the race to sell more cars, but also because Indian car market seems to have little affected by the economic slowdown and it was even able to shrug off any signs of it and emerge out of the soaring condition with utmost strength. The hard-to-digest fact is that India has exported more cars, around 2.30 lakh, between January and July this year, while China has exported only 1.65 lakh. The numbers are still growing and the reason could be many. The Indian domestic mark is less than 20 per cent of the car market of China, to be very precise just 19 per cent, and it is very surprising and at the same time welcoming to see the rise in acceptance for the Indian cars in the global market. A few of the many reasons that have constituted for this great change is the ever-young small car market in the country, which is accepted worldwide for its class, reliability and of course a price tag that is much cheaper than many others. The labour charge is also comparatively less in the country. When the small car market has worked favourably for the growth of export in the country, the big car market, which was hit hard by the recession, has worked against China, which deals most with the cars from this segment. Labels: Chinese-Cars, Indian-car-market, Small-Car
Tuesday, 4 August 2009
Americans are finally ready to buy Asian cars. And no we are not speaking about the Japanese and Korean cars, but the Indian and Chinese cars. This was revealed during a survey conducted by an American agency with a sample size of 30,000 people. Americans had always considered themselves to be leaders in car market. But the global meltdown had made it impossible to revive the automobile industry for a long time to come. They are now looking at car brands from beyond their shores. While European, Japanese and Korean cars have already established themselves, Chinese and Indian car manufacturers are yet to find their foothold. The new brands might find it difficult to gain market share, due to heavy competition from other Asian car companies. China’s car market is several times bigger than Indian car market. It has several homegrown companies apart from acquisitions and takeovers. On the other hand India has only two homegrown auto majors like the Tata Motors and Mahindra & Mahindra. Maruti Suzuki is already available as Suzuki products in that market. Thanks to acquisition of JLR, the world is now aware of the names like Tata Motors from India. Mahindra had forayed into United States market last year as SUV and pick-up manufacturer. These companies are yet to gain any goodwill for their products. Further they are yet to upgrade their car models to suit the stringent United States safety and emergency measures. However, they can cash in on the willingness to buy Indian cars after all. Both countries will have to overcome their own drawbacks to make world class products. It is a divine opportunity! Labels: Indian-car-market, Indian-cars, Tata-Motors
Tuesday, 23 June 2009
Maruti Suzuki India is all set to re-launch its high end Grand Vitara SUV with a new powerful engine. The new Grand Vitara will feature a 2.4 litre engine and will be called the GV 2.4 in India. It is expected to hit the markets next month. Currently the Grand Vitara is fitted with the 120 bhp, 2.0 litre inline-4 cylinder engine. The details of the power output are not yet revealed. The sales of the 5-seater SUV has been on a downward swing ever since the economic slowdown started in 2008. Despite the SUV market size being 25,000 units per annum, sales of Grand Vitara has been less than satisfactory. Almost all of Maruti Suzuki’s small cars are doing well in the Indian car market. It has eight small cars, one MPV, a mid-size sedan SX4, and two SUVs Gypsy and Grand Vitara. The pricing of the new Grand Vitara has not been revealed although the previous model carried a price tag of Rs 13.80 lakh. Despite its decent performance, the SUV has not matched up with record sales like its smaller siblings. By re-launching the SUV, the manufacture wants to highlight that the car stills exists. Auto analysts are skeptical about the sales of the re-launched SUV and keeping their guesses close to their heart. Maruti Suzuki’s Grand Vitara has been rivaled by Chevrolet Captiva, and Hyundai Tucson. These SUV’s are doing extremely well in the Indian car market. Labels: Chevrolet-Captiva, Hyundai-Tucson, Indian-car-market, Maruti-Suzuki-Grand-Vitara, Maruti-Suzuki-Gypsy, Maruti-Suzuki-SX4, small-cars-India, SUV
Tuesday, 5 May 2009
It is nice to know that Toyota has selected India to introduce its futuristic concept showroom. Named as Galaxy, this is the third showroom of Toyota in Delhi which is created with the DIVA (Distinctive, Inviting, Value-added services, Advanced) concept. The concept of DIVA will assist the company to complete its future models range like MPV, SUV, passenger car segment, and the upcoming small car. Toyota realizing the potential of its product and further to strengthen its position in the Indian car market has come up with this concept that offers customer centric services like faster test drives and incorporated value chain services (exchange, registration, insurance and finance) all under one roof. The DIVA concept will be employed by the Toyota dealership across the country. The new showroom will display Toyota’s constant quest for a unique and futuristic concept. This state of the art showroom is built utilizing high-tech displays and interactive delivery that will ensure customers’ convenience and satisfaction. It is a great concept and expected to create a benchmark in the automobile history of India. The success of the concept depends upon the evaluation of the customers. After all, customers are considered as the king in the commercial world, and contented consumers can only lead the company towards victory. Labels: Car-Showroom, Indian-car-market, Toyota-Cars
Wednesday, 22 April 2009
When the car industry is singing praises for the Nano, it’s giving a tough time for urban transport planners who predict the worse city traffic condition once the car hits the road. Surprisingly, the car is expected to expand the Indian car market massively which will definitely flood the tier II and III cities in the coming times. With no proper traffic strategies and large number of Nanos, the Indian roads will have a tough time. It is believed that the Nano is likely to imitate the 215 percent growth in annual volumes of cars seen between 1998 and 2008 within around ten years time. The figure clearly forecasts the condition which will engulf the Indian roads soon. The bulk sales of Tata Nano are expected in commercially active areas including small towns. It will hinder smooth traffic flow as the roads will get congested with increased number of vehicles. City planners say that it is not possible to widen the roads any further as there are limitations to number of flyovers and bringing down buildings is not possible. Moreover, it attracts huge investments that is difficult to get sanctioned from the government. The city planners can only create more one ways and put in more traffic signals to ease traffic congestion and avoid accidents. It would require some real planning for a new urban transport facility in India. But will the pace of development by government line up with the market conditions is a question that every Indian will ask soon after the 1st allotment of Tata Nano is made. Labels: Indian-car-industry, Indian-car-market, Tata-Nano
Tuesday, 21 April 2009
Porsche has just unveiled its most awaited Porsche Panamera in Shangai on the beautiful eve of the 13th Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition. Panamera is a four-door premium luxury sedan that pioneers a host of technologies and is expected to entice new buyers with scintillating design structure and excellent engineering. The low-sleek silhouette becomes the first sight of attraction of the car. Among the five new outstanding technologies that make their world debut in the Panamera are start-stop system in conjunction with automatic transmission, air suspension with additional air volume available on demand in each spring, and active aerodynamics with an adjustable, multi-dimensional, extendable rear spoiler on the Panamera Turbo. Soon the scintillating Panamera will also make its debut in the Indian car market. Indian car buyers are actually looking forward for the car as it is considered to be one of the most powerful and beautiful car of the new era. The design, engineering, and style of the Porsche Panamera are formed by blending a wealth of ideas, unimaginable creativity, expert knowledge of talented designers and technicians. With all the best features and technologies the Panamera is to set new standards in performance, driving dynamics and efficiency. Labels: Indian-car-market, Porsche-Cars, Porsche-Panamera
Eyeing the current slowdown in the car market, ICML (International Cars & Motors Limited) has postponed its plans to introduce small car in India. Supposed to be marketed in Europe, U.S. and India, the ICML's world car was earlier expected by 2010.
The company feels that it is not the right time to introduce the cars as the industry is under the strain of tremendous recession. Hence, it has deferred its world car project which focused on export and domestic market. However, the plan to introduce a concept car 'Inspire' unveiled at the 2008 Auto Expo in India is going well and is expected to arrive by 2010.
The company is working with the Italian design house Pininfarina for its world car project and has invested around Rs 700 Crore for the design as well production front. The current model Rhino Rx is doing well in the Indian car market and the new cars from company's stable will certainly help to boost its performance.
Labels: Indian-car-market, New-Car-Launch, Small-Cars
Thursday, 16 April 2009
Kia Motors may sound new in the Indian car market but is not new for the international markets. Recently at the Seoul Motor Show Kia dazzled the auto critics, car enthusiasts, and auto manufacturers from all around the world with its stunning new Sorento. The new Sorento with an all-new look is offered with a choice of three engines comprising 2.4-litre 174bhp petrol, 2.2-litre 197bhp diesel, and a 2.7-litre V6 165bhp engine which will run on LPG. The car not only offers a choice in engines but also in transmission and wheel drive system. When it comes to transmission one can select from five-speed manual, six-speed manual or six-speed automatic whereas in the wheel drive system there is a choice of both two-wheel and four-wheel drive. The all-new Sorento will be longer, sturdier, and more impressive than its predecessor. The upgraded interiors with a sweeping dashboard, three-cylinder instrumentation panel, and supreme car audio system with an option of six, eight, or ten speakers add to the appeal and demand of the car. Sorento is a successful car in UK and the upgraded variant will be available by 2010. But in India there are only speculations that the car may come but not in near future. Infact before the car arrives, the car manufacturer has to set its first foothold in India. Labels: Car-Manufacturer, Indian-car-market, New-Car-Launch
With the rising air pollution and fuel prices, new innovative and advanced engines are the need of time. It is the engine that actually drives the car and influences the way cars perform and produce emissions. Also, the increasing consumers’ interest in fuel-efficient and nature-friendly vehicles are soaring the demand of innovative engines. Eyeing the current market, Maruti Suzuki has just unveiled its new generation K series engine named as K12M. This new engine is proudly India’s first engine compliant to BS IV emission norms and will offer best-in-class fuel efficiency and performance. The new engine will also reduce emissions and lower NVH (Noise, Vibration & Harshness). The new engine retains the technical superiority and fuel efficiency that Maruti offered with the first generation K series engine that is presently fitted in the Maruti Suzuki A-Star. But with this Maruti moves a step ahead in its efforts to produce fuel efficient and green engine technology for car buyers in India. Gladly, it also strengthens its focus on maximizing the environmental benefits. The new and powerful K12M engine will be fitted in Maruti’s forthcoming premium compact car, the Ritz. The introduction of this green engine in the proposed car will definitely increase the worth of the car in the Indian car market. By introducing the new K series engine just before the launch of Ritz, Maruti has simply developed a strong platform for the upcoming car. Labels: Indian-car-market, Maruti-Suzuki-Cars, Ritz
Thursday, 9 April 2009
It is said that the new Porsche Panamera is packed with host of innovations showcasing the world premier of some key car technologies. And it also beholds the best of design cues and overture ready to dazzle every single car as well as any passer by with its commanding presence. With all these if we ask you to guess the price of the car will you be able to do so? It may be difficult to judge the price as none of us are aware of what the innovations and technologies actually cost. The car manufacturer has put in the best of expertise and knowledge to put forth the best of technologies for its scintillating car. The starting price of the car is Rs 1,41,74,000 (New-Delhi Ex-Showroom price) for the base variant Porsche S. And if you wish to buy the dynamic variant Porsche 4S or the top-end variant Porsche Turbo then you would have to pay an amount of Rs 1,47,11,000 and Rs 2,01,84,000 (New-Delhi Ex-Showroom price) respectively. All the three variants of the Porsche Panamera will come with a powerful V8 engine mated to Porsche’s seven-speed Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) or double-clutch gearbox. It will also come with Direct Fuel Injection, low-friction drive systems, and lightweight bodyshells along with Porsche’s new Auto Start Stop function mated to the PDK transmission. The difference in all the three variants is that in the entry level variant the power is transmitted to the rear wheel, in the 4S variant, power is transmitted to the four wheels, and the top-end variant is powered by a biturbo-charged engine for extra power output and efficiency. Even in the interior the Panamera boasts of a new feeling of space and driving quality with ergonomically designed features. Apart from a bundle of joy in the interior the car also offers a host of customization options suiting the desires of the car buyers. The S and 4S variant receives sport seats that are electrically adjustable. And the turbo variant of the car comprises seats that are equipped with a Comfort Memory Package that offers a host of functions. The interior of the car also boasts of a supreme High-End Surround Sound System from the Berlin audio specialist Burmester that is a renowned audio company in the world. The high-end car audio system is fitted along with 16 loudspeaker and 16 amplifier channels that delivers an output of over 1,000 watt. What else one needs when driving a long journey especially with friends or with someone special. What adds to the increasing worth and demand of the Panamera in the Indian car market is that the company has already received forward orders prior to the launch of the car. Labels: Indian-car-market, Luxury-Car-Buyers, Porsche-Panamera-Price
Wednesday, 8 April 2009
Looks like Mercedes is working very hard to get back its number one position from BMW in the Indian car markets. To further strengthen its stand and give its rival a hard blow, the luxury car manufacturer has come out with the limited edition of its E-class. As known to all, E-class is the most popular model from Mercedes stable in India and has made impressive sales. The limited edition which is powered by a 3-litre diesel engine would be produced in only 192 units. 
The limited edition comes in a different style and feature giving the E-class a special touch. The additional features it boasts new headlights, and grille, double-spoke light alloy wheels, LED technology tail lights and also swathed in six different but attractive colours. The interior is also complimented luxuriously interiors with the special detailing of the bird’s eye maple wood trim, all new multi function wood/leather steering wheel and an all new instrument panel design. 
With the price of Rs 43.4 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), hope the limited edition of E-class would bring some good luck to the three pointer star. Let’s wait and watch if BMW would roll any limited edition of its 5-series to the India. Labels: Indian-car-market, Luxury-Cars, Mercedes-Cars, Mercedes-E-Class, New-Car Launch
Monday, 6 April 2009
Maruti Suzuki Alto is the highest selling cars from Maruti’s stable. Even at this time of falling sales the car manufacturer is able to sell good numbers of Alto in the Indian car market. Alto, a popular hatchback, has recorded the highest ever sales in March crossing a mark of twenty three thousand. That’s amazing! You would be amazed to know that this is the 11th time since the launch of Alto that the car has crossed a mark of twenty thousand sales in just one month. And above all what adds to the surprise is that the month of February 2009 was the 51st consecutive month in which Alto had crossed the ten thousand sales mark. So, in all 11 times crossing a mark of twenty thousand and 51 times crossing a mark of ten thousand in just one month actually reflects the credibility and demand of the car amongst Indian car buyers. It is also believed that in the history of Indian automotive only two cars have ever crossed a sale of twenty thousand in one month, one is the popular hatchback Alto and the other one is the India’s iconic car Maruti 800. Labels: Alto-Sales, Indian-car-market, Maruti-Suzuki, Maruti-Suzuki-Alto
Thursday, 2 April 2009
 Maruti Suzuki’s bread-and-butter car ‘Maruti 800’ will see back stage after running successfully for 25 years on India roads. Though sounds shocking yet it’s true that the car manufacturer has decided to bring the curtains down for India’s first people’s car. This decision by Maruti seems to be unrealistic especially at the time when the new century people’s car ‘Tata Nano’ has hit the showrooms. This is a time when Maruti would have competed with the Nano with an upgraded version of the Maruti 800. But the decision to phase out the Maruti 800 is viable because with new and tighter emission norms entering the Indian car market, it would be difficult for Maruti to keep the 800 stable on roads. Even the Omni may find obstacles to survive in the market after the BS IV emission norms get applicable. From next year BS IV emission norms will be applicable in almost 11 cities across the country. So the M800 and the Omni will be phased out in those cities. But in other cities people will still be able to drive the 800 as the new emission norms will take some to enter. Maybe by 2016 both the highest selling Maruti cars will be completely phased out from the Indian car market. And this will definitely change the faith of Indian car market. Labels: Indian-car-market, Maruti-800, Maruti-Cars
Despite the prevailing economic slowdown, Volkswagen sees great potential in the Indian car market and plans to bring a new car ‘Polo’ in the country. The car would be launched in both sedan and hatchback version by 2010. It was first unveiled at the 2008 Auto Expo and speculated to launch in India in 2009. It seems that it will borrow styling cues from the Scirocco concept enhanced with better design and performance. It is likely to come in the both 1.2 petrol and 1.6 diesel version. The company has big plans for the Indian car market. Recently, Volkswagen inaugurated a new plant in Pune that has the capacity to roll out 110,000 vehicles per year. This plant will initiate it production work by building the compact car, the Skoda Fabia. Eventually, it will also be utilized to manufacture the Polo hatchback. Currently, the group is present in India through its Skoda, Audi, and Volkswagen brands and their eight models of cars that are doing good business in the country. The company is optimistic with the Indian market and further expanding its network as well as product portfolio in the country. The famous people’s Beetle car fondly called as ‘Bug’ by many will also make its entry in India very soon. Labels: Indian-car-market, New-Car-Launch, Volkswagen-Polo
Monday, 30 March 2009
car prices hike has become a recent buzzword amidst recession. In recent times, Indian car market has witnessed a major jump in car prices of many models. Now Mitsubishi Motors has revealed its plan to increase the prices of all its models. Mitsubishi cars will see a price hike of 4-5 per cent that will be applicable from 1st April. The company assembles its cars in Chennai through a joint venture with Hindustan Motors. Since the localisation levels in Mitsubishi models are still not very high, the company is finding it difficult to combat with the expenses on the imported kits due to rising value of Yen. Let’s have a look as to how much the Mitsubishi cars will see a price surge. To start with, the SUVs models Outlander and Pajero will get a price hike of around Rs 1 Lakh. The Cedia and the Lancer will be increased by Rs 50,000 and Rs 40,000, respectively. Also, the recently launched 2009 Montero priced at Rs 42 Lakh will see a steeper hike due to increased duty levies. Labels: Car-prices, Indian-car-market, Mitsubishi-Cars
Thursday, 19 March 2009
If you love to take a ride on electric car then the Jim Dowle’s dream electric car is perfect pick up for you. Christened as P1 sports car, the proposed electric car is composed of lightweight composite body panels and two electric motors placed on either side of the car’s chassis. The lithium-ion batteries fitted in the car gives a stunning acceleration of 0 to 100 km/h in an amazing 2.9 seconds and offers a practical top speed of 370 km. It’s a little hardtop sports car with stunning looks and commanding presence. It also features four-wheel-drive and long wishbone suspension front and rear to improve performance. Adding to the worth of the car is the regenerative braking technology for topping up the charge of the lithium-ion batteries. The P1 Sports car is a perfect answer to an ideal electric car with no compromise and is smart enough to drive the 21st century. Speculated to be launched by 2012, this car will definitely raise the bar for electric cars. Hang on! As the speculated launch time is not for the Indian car market. So, till then you can dream a ride on this tantalising electric car. But as the industry is switching over to electric cars, India may witness the launch of Dowel’s electric car in future. Labels: Electric-Car, Indian-car-market, Sports-Car
Wednesday, 11 March 2009
Global economic conditions have still not relieved the car industry from its clutches completely. Though the market is seeing some modifications but there are no tangible signs of improvements. Even at this stage Audi is tapping on the Indian market with high hopes and dreams. The luxury car manufacturer is continuously taking the recession impacted time as an opportunity to prosper. Audi made its entry to the Indian car market in 2006 and since then the company is doing wonders. And now Audi plans to sell about 1,500 cars this year targeting about 40-50% growth in the India. The company strongly feels that it has experienced good sales even in the time of recession and so looking to a bright future with confidence is something acceptable. Audi strongly feels that Indian car market is growing aggressively and is loaded with lot of opportunities. And the market is gradually maturing for high-end luxury cars. In response to this, Audi plans to introduce a host of new car models in the country and strengthen its presence in the country. Audi’s mission in India is speculated to experience the launch of Q7, A4, A1, A4 Allroad, A5 SB, A7, R8 Spider and Q5. Before the launch all the models will be thoroughly checked for their compatibility with the needs, preferences, and desires of Indian car buyers. Audi also has plans to source auto components from India and is expected to counter negative impacts of recession through wise investment and continuous process optimization. Audi takes India as a significant growth driver. Labels: Audi-Cars, Audi-India, Indian-car-market, Luxury-Car-Manufacturer
Tuesday, 10 March 2009
Small and beautiful Abarth 500 is one of the hottest future cars that retain a blend of Fiat’s lineage and Abarth’s tradition. Abarth is an Italian racing car manufacturer that is now a significant part of Fiat. The styling of the car is not emphasized much on visual appeal and aesthetics but on performance. It is creatively crafted with a need to optimize aerodynamics. And this is done by adding sporty side skirts, a larger roof spoiler, and a deep aerodynamic diffuser at the rear. Complementing the exterior appeal are the twin intercoolers, extended nose, and triple air intakes that reflect the distinctive characteristics of historic Abarth cars. Though the exterior and styling is not much focused the Abarth 500 makes a commanding presence on road. Inside the car exudes warmth with welcoming features like shift-light LED, aluminium pedal, leather steering wheel, sporty bucket seats, advanced car audio system, and Fiat’s innovative Blue&Me hands-free communication system. Safety is also maximized with a host of car safety technologies including seven airbags. The heart of the Abarth 500 is pumped by a 1.4-litre turbo engine with an output of 135bhp. Completely designed on the platform of Fiat 500, the new Abarth 500 is expected to make its entry to the Indian car market in a couple of years. This proposed car with its small structure, beautiful appeal, and powerful technologies will be a significant milestone in the rich heritage of Indian car industry as well as the Fiat’s journey in India. Labels: Abarth-500, Fiat, Future-Cars, Indian-car-market, New-Car-Launch
Friday, 6 March 2009
Good news for Accord lovers! New Honda Accord with a 3.5-litre V6 engine is on its way and is expected to be introduced in the Indian car market next week. The new engine will churn out an awesome power of 279 bhp that will mark new milestone in the successful history of the Accord. The new car is likely to carry a price tag of around Rs 25 Lakh. The present generation of the Accord is a complete blend of style, comfort, and elegance. The aggressive looks and striking presence makes the car one of the most commanding sedans on Indian roads. And above all what makes the car a hot choice amongst car buyers is the revolutionary 2.4-litre i-VTEC engine that generates 179 bhp. It’s clear that if a power of 179 bhp has made the Accord a success then the engine delivering a power of 279 bhp will definitely set new benchmarks in its segment. Possibilities are there that the manufacturer may not make modifications in the exterior and the interior as the car already has impeccable and eye-catching structure, style, and beauty. Just a replacement of the engine with a more powerful technology is enough to ignite new excitement in the market. Labels: Honda-Accord, Indian-car-market, New-Car-Launch
The venerable Chevrolet Spark is rejoicing a position that was enjoyed by the legendary Maruti 800 for decades. With over three million models sold globally, the car has tasted great success and acclamation. Spark is a burning torch for General Motor that is gradually spreading its light across the length and breadth of the Indian car market. Even on foreign soils the car is equally gaining momentum. The winning attributes of the Spark that make it popular worldwide are its timeless beauty, brute power, outstanding performance, spacious interior, impressive mileage, and flamboyance character. It is also a great city commuter that can easily navigate through congested city roads. To celebrate the high sales of the car, General Motors has offered car discounts on its range of car models in India. The company offers an attractive discount of Rs 55,000 on the winning Chevrolet Spark, Rs 28,000 on the Tavera, Rs 50,000 on the Aveo, Rs 30,000 on the Aveo U-VA, and Rs 70,000 on the Optra Magnum. The success of Spark in the global car market is a sure sign of its credibility and with this the manufacturer is sure to register higher sales volume in the approaching months. Labels: Cars-Sales, General-Motors, Indian-car-market, Spark
Tuesday, 24 February 2009
Far behind from the boundaries of sedans, coupes, hybrids, and electric cars the new three-wheeled Aptera is here to spark new hopes and excitement in the global car market. The design of the egg-shaped, two-seater Aptera is inspired from nature’s creation that goes along the wind instead of against the wind. Have ever watched birds gliding gracefully through the air? If yes then you must have noticed that the birds embrace the environment and fly in motion with the moving wind. A similar concept has been introduced while designing the Aptera. It is designed aerodynamically in a way that it does not have to waste its energy pushing the wind out of its way. Its long shape and gullwing doors (roof-attached doors) adds to the excitement of staring and driving the car. With the gullwing door, you can easily get out of the car even if the parking spot is tight. The interior spells eco-friendly characteristics of the car mainly with the eco-chic seating made of recycled materials and coloured with natural dyes. Solar assisted climate control system and cavernous cargo compartment further add to the value of the car. The solar assisted climate control system helps you to stay comfortable in all weather conditions as the solar cells on the car’s roof keep the cabin at a friendly temperature. And in the vast cargo space you can easily load 20 to 25 grocery bags. Amazingly, the electric version of the Aptera can run up to 160 km in one single charge. That’s commendable! Till date there are no clues whether the car will enter Indian shores or not. But if it will, it will bear a price tag of around Rs 15 Lakh and its worth the value because you won’t have to shell out your pocket at petrol pumps. Setting new benchmarks in automobile engineering, the introduction of this ultra-efficient three-wheeled car is itself an acclamation. Labels: Electric-Cars, Indian-car-market, Sedans
Friday, 20 February 2009
New Honda City wins a prestigious 'Indian Car of the Year 2009' (ICOTY) award by Auto top automobile journalists in India. The Indian Car of the Year award is based on the standards of international awards and recognizes the efforts of the Indian talents. All the cars introduced in the calendar year 2008 were eligible for the award. There were seven finalists for the 'Indian Car of the Year' award including Hyundai i20, Honda City, Maruti Suzuki A-Star, Skoda Fabia, Tata Indica Vista, Toyota Altis, and Volkswagen Jetta. The new Honda City is selected for the title by a panel of 11 judges that comprise senior automobile journalists from leading automobile magazines in India. The New City was introduced in 2008 carrying a perfect symphony of stimulating style, refined comfort, outstanding performance, impressive fuel efficiency, and unmatched safety. Adding to the worth of the car is its unique ‘Arrow Shot Form’ design, beautiful exterior adornments, and futuristic technologies. The innovative fuel-efficient 1.5L, 4 cylinder i-VTEC engine compliant to the Euro IV Emission norms is one of the reasons behind the success of the car. The car is also honoured with the same award by some of the leading automobile magazines. It is even crowned for ‘Viewers’ Choice’ award by UTVi – Autocar Awards and CNBC TV18 Overdrive Awards. Honda launched the car with many expectations and it seems to be fulfilled as the 'Indian Car of the Year 2009' award is a sign of City's credibility in the Indian car market. Labels: Honda-Cars, Indian-car-market, New-Honda-City
It’s time to go sporty with the new the Indica V2 Xeta. The trendy and stylish new car is here to add spice and oomph in depressed car market. The exterior of the sports variant is inspired from the peepy Indica Xeta with vibrant and lively look. It retains the same design with some striking modifications that include chrome inserts in front grille, set of single beam headlights, sleek taillights, and chrome-tripped exhaust. Smart new decals add to the sporty characteristics of the car. The same pep is carried into the car's interior. The stylish new interiors guarantee to satisfy the taste and desire of every car buyer. The redesigned instrument cluster, racy steering wheel, and stylish seat fabric in the interior offer refinement and comfort along with thrilling driving experience. Accentuating the charm and appeal is the beige interiors that along with functional car technologies make every journey a memorable ride. Nature lovers have a reason to adore the car as it also comes with a LPG variant along with the petrol variant. The eXtra Efficient Torque Advantage petrol engine is borrowed from the original Xeta which delivers a smoother and responsive drive. The launch of the new Sporty Indica V2 Xeta is made more exciting with a bunch of offers on the purchase of the car. The new variant of the Xeta is available with a 3-year loan scheme along with 3-year warranty, 3-year free repair, comprehensive maintenance package, and 3-year free 24*7 on-road assistance. Labels: Indian-car-market, Indica-V2-Xeta, New-Car-Launch
Citroen has a burning desire to find lucrative business opportunities in India. Although there were contradictory discussions about establishing its base in India, the car manufacturer is aggressively tapping the opportunities. The company already has it stake with Magna Steyr in India that provides a range of services including the whole spectrum of automotive processes. The manufacturer starts its mission by entering the south Indian state of Andhra Pradesh where it is in talk with the state government officials to explore investment opportunities. With a view to set up a base in the country, Citroen has already established a local office in Chennai to source auto components. And now, the manufacturer plans to share a greater portion of the Indian pie with few of its new car launches. Citroen is also ready to introduce an array of new car models. And to ensure the success of the cars in the India, it has taken inputs from officials of SIAM (Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers) with regards to emission roadmap, road-worthiness rules, and policy structure. So, India will again witness and welcome one more foreign car manufacturer. Its seems Indian car industry is riding fast in pace with the advancing global car market successfully stamping its position in global automotive map. Labels: Car-Manufacturer, Citroen, Indian-car-market
Monday, 16 February 2009
It’s a celebration time for Hyundai as the company is receiving awe-inspiring response from Indian as well as international car markets. Hyundai’s scrupulously designed and engineered cars is getting applauds and honours worldwide with various awards. Taking about its performance in Indian, Hyundai i10 has received an overwhelming response with its advanced and fuel efficient kappa engine. The i10 saw a great success bagging awesome sales volume as well as prestigious awards like “Car of the Year” for 2008. It’s also acclaimed by many auto magazine and media like CNBC TV 18, Business Motoring, Overdrive, and NDTV Profit with a variety of awards. Hyundai’s models like the Santro and the Verna have also won appreciations and awards reflecting the brand value and significance in the Indian market. Its latest addition in i-series the model i20 is credited as the first completely built car that is being exported to foreign markets. Recently, Hyundai has received 'Manufacturer of the Year’ award in the UTVi Autocar Awards 2009. The same success story is repeated in the global market where the luxury sedan Hyundai Genesis has recently bagged the 'Canadian Car of the Year 2009' award at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto organised by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC). The same car has even been crowned with the title of '2009 North American Car of the Year' earlier this year. Genesis with its excellent design, styling cues, and ground breaking technologies has defeated a host of high-end luxury cars including the Audi A3, Acura TL, and the Infiniti G37X. All these awards are a testimony to Hyundai's capabilities and expertise of producing award winning vehicles. Labels: Hyundai-cars, Hyundai-i10, Indian-car-market
Friday, 13 February 2009
Skoda's one of the most popular models Octavia will soon celebrate its golden jubilee this year.This car was launched in 1959 as the successor to Skoda 440 also named as Spartak. Skoda rejoices a presence of successful 100 years in the car industry presenting many marvels to the world. So its model Octavia continues to walk in the success path with its extraordinary practicality, timeless design, spaciousness, and reliability. It has climbed the success ladder receiving overwhelming response from its customers which is also reflected by its ever growing sales figure. In India, this well-built life style car offers a practical interior and extraordinary luggage space that make it a perfect business and family car. Available in petrol and diesel variants, the car carries all the necessary features that have made it a hit in the Indian car market. Skoda has sold over 2 million Octavia worldwide till now and offers a wide range of versions including Škoda Octavia RS and the Scout. The Octavia is expected to carry the company’s legacy making itself a mascot of the brand. Labels: Indian-car-market, Skoda-Cars, Skoda-Octavia
Wednesday, 11 February 2009
The name Subaru is enough to take you to the exciting and exotic world of designer cars. The company carrying the heritage of designing unique car has recently unveiled its new ‘Legacy Concept’ at the 2009 Detroit auto show. The Legacy concept is a prototype that showcases the next generation Legacy sedan which was launched 20 years back. This new concept is designed using a creative art of crafting that combines the traditional Japanese lines and sober European looks. It comprises a larger wheelbase to maximize interior space and a wedge-shaped side rear vision camera. Even the interior of the car is packed with highly defined technologies and features including the advanced infotainment system controlled through a touch screen interface. Under the hood, the concept retains Subaru's tradition of using the 3.6-litre boxer engine and the legendary symmetrical all-wheel-drive system. Till date, no Legacy sedan has made its debut into the Indian car market. But as the Indian car market is growing tremendously witnessing major international car brands, one can expect this type of elite concept to debut in the country in future. Labels: Auto-Shows, Indian-car-market, Sedan
Tuesday, 10 February 2009
Remember September 2006 when Hyundai launched the Verna with elegant styling, comfortable interiors, time-tested quality, and high degree of reliability. Since then, the car has stamped its authority in the Indian car market. Now with the addition of new variants into Verna’s profile, the company expresses its euphoria of creating one of the highly successful and credible cars in the mid-size sedan segment. The new Verna with its contemporary European looks wears new exterior and interior to paint a spectacular picture in the minds of Indian car buyers. It possesses an aerodynamic styling and its design highlights are a stylish new radiator grille, new chrome insert in waistline moulding, electrically adjustable ORVM (Outer Rear View Mirror), rear chrome garnish, and a new full wheel cover for extra appeal. In the interiors, the car is spacious and uses improved designs, high-quality fabrics, and sophisticated features. The new variants boast of the upgraded audio console that bears a high fidelity 2 DIN Music System with 4 speakers and 2 tweeters. Safety has never taken a back seat in Hyundai's car and so even the new Verna comes loaded with a host of safety features like the antilock brakes for enhanced safety and security. The visual appeal of the car may not impressive all but its peppy and powerful engine holds the supremacy and capability to attract car buyers. It is available in a choice of same petrol and diesel engines that made the old Verna carved its own niche in the Indian market. The 1.6-litre petrol engine with variable valve timing technology is quick and powerful but the 1.5-litre diesel using a variable geometry turbocharger is a sure shot winner. The most exciting introduction is the association of automatic transmission with the top-end diesel variant. Maintaining the same engine and mechanicals, the new variants of Verna comes with a host of improved and luxurious embellishments carrying the price range of Rs 6.3 Lakh to Rs 8.6 Lakh. Holding the promise to fulfil customer’s delight and satisfaction, Hyundai again raises the competitive bar for style, performance, and driving dynamics with the launch of new Hyundai Verna. Labels: Hyundai-Verna, Indian-car-market, New-Car-Launch
Monday, 9 February 2009
As many car manufacturers are giving a new touch to their existing cars in order to accelerate their product sales in the depressed market, Maruti Suzuki is also following a similar strategy to persistently hold the car market. Its successful hatchback the WagonR and the MPV Omni will get a new face with distinct look and style. The new WagonR would be designed and constructed on the platform of MR Wagon that lays emphasis on a more elegant design, spacious interiors, and versatile seating arrangement. It would be sportier in looks but retain its tall-boy design. Even the all-new Omni would now have a re-designed and attractive appeal. It would be designed on the Versa platform with refreshing and premium features. Likely to be renamed as O2, the car would carry a higher price tag. It may even replace the Versa and would beckon a contagious competition in its segment. With the intact brand name of Maruti Suzuki, these cars have experienced a great success in the car market. Hope their new avatars too witness similar triumph. Labels: Car-Manufacturer, Indian-car-market, Maruti-Suzuki
Friday, 6 February 2009
The MPV Xylo from Mahindra’s stable has brought a new excitement in the Indian car market.The thrill that Mahindra tried to invoke in the market before the debut of the car with its creative marketing strategies is also continuing after its launch. The catching punch line “The era of sedan is over” left people guessing about the car’s body type and it was only public after its commercial launch. The exhilaration was overpowered with passion when the car actually made its debut in the country. Not only this, the Xylo has also kick-start Mahindra's sales chart along with overwhelming response from the car buyers. As speculated, Xylo proved to a blessing for Mahindra and with this prop the company is gradually stepping towards the success path. Surprisingly, in this time of credit crisis when most of the car buyers are deferring their car buying decisions, the Xylo has recorded sales of 1,788 cars with bookings of more than 4000 cars. Undoubtedly, this awe-inspiring success within a month of its launch has given a tough time to its competitors. Its unique features combining the luxury of a sedan with the ruggedness of a SUV are a threat to the cars from both the segment. Labels: Indian-car-market, Mahindra-Xylo, New-Car-Launch
Thursday, 5 February 2009
When the entire car industry was suffering from the pain of low sales due to recession, Rolls Royce rejoiced its success in the Indian car market. The year 2008 was the worst year in the history of car industry as it has witnessed a tremendous fall in car sales even in the festive months when people lavishly invest on luxury items like cars. But few of the luxury car manufacturers including BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Rolls Royce managed to sell their car models and enjoyed their victory amid economic downturn. Surprisingly, Rolls Royce experienced 20% rise in its sales despite of being one of the costliest car brands in the country. It is unimaginable that in the depressed market condition costly luxurious cars are receiving good response. It is interesting to note that there is a great demand for the Phantom range in the price conscious Indian market. And the new introductions of the model of Phantom Saloon and extended wheel base models bagged the credit for more than half of the overall sales. Even more interesting is the fact that the company’s sales scored by 20 percent continuously for five consecutive years. And now heading with the positive view Rolls Royce is looking forward to introduce RR4 series in the country later this year. Labels: Indian-car-market, Luxury-Car, Rolls-Royce
Wednesday, 4 February 2009
Volkswagen introduces its fascinating Bluesport concept with a desire to gift the car industry a clean and fuel efficient car. The compact and passionate Bluesport concept car first made its appearance in the Detroit 2009 Auto Show 2009. It’s a unique sport car with a symbiosis of outstanding technology and striking Volkswagen design.The car carries a lean and linear structure. The interior displays meticulously crafted body with high level of technological details. The intuitive and easy to operate touchscreen is the eye catching feature of the car. The single-piece seatbacks are perfectly adorned with the leather upholstered. It packs a mid-mounted 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine mated to a six-speed dual-clutch transmission and generates 180 bhp. The car with effective weight distribution and powerful engine can reach a top speed of 225 km/h and run from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds. The introduction of this car in the market would give a whole new meaning to 'diesel performance' that seems to an oxymoron to the majority of the car buyers. Volkswagen's Bluesport concept speculated to form a new platform for Audi TT and Porsche Boxster will see the light of day by 2011. Labels: Indian-car-market, Volkswagen
Tuesday, 3 February 2009
Toyota’s flagship model Yaris has reported seat belt defect in U.S. The glitch is found in the seat belt pre-tensioners which are detected to tighten seat belts releasing hot vapours during frontal crash. The release of hot vapours from the charge that activates the pre-tensioners can cause a foam pad in the car to ignite and this can prove fatal. Toyota Yaris is soon to make its debut in the Indian car market and this news of defect in the car could affect its sales performance in the country. To resolve this issue the company has noticed that removing the foam pad is the best possible solution. The company may fix the problem for the Yaris models that are available in America but what about India? It’s difficult to say that whether we'll have the foam-removed version of the Yaris or the actual model. We think the foam-removed version would hit Indian shores. And that's something very obvious. The car is designed with unique styling cues, sporty characteristics, and advanced engine technologies. Beside this minor problem which will definitely get fixed, the car does not have any other drawback. It’s a great success in North America and we have to wait to see its market in India. Labels: Indian-car-market, Toyota-Yaris
Thursday, 29 January 2009
GM’s Chevrolet brand has rejoiced its victorious presence in the Indian car market. Seeing the winning success of its leading car models like the Aveo U-VA and the Spark, the company now plans to add an new car model in the portfolio of Chevrolet brand. Both the Aveo U-VA and the Spark have embarked a success story for the brand receiving accolades and appreciations from consumers as well as experts. These cars have been tagged with the tile of best quality cars in their respective segments by J.D Power Asia. The car manufacturer is thinking over the new car launch to dominate the small car segment of the Indian car market. The Mini is designed on the platform of Chevrolet Beat that demonstrates the flexibility, creativity, and innovativeness. Like Chevrolet Beat, the Mini will also display an eye-catching design that is sure to evoke a temptation to own the car. Speculated to be powered by a 1.2-litre petrol engine or a 1.4-litre diesel engine, the new Chevy will be pitted against the Hyundai i20 and the Skoda Fabia. Labels: Chevrolet-Cars, Indian-car-market, New-Car-Launch
Tuesday, 27 January 2009
Chevrolet Captiva is a leading SUV in the Indian car market with a perfect combination of aesthetic integrity and amazing performance. It is proudly known as the cocoon of comfort with finest quality leather upholstery, driver friendly LCD screen, steering wheel mounted audio controls, and detailed storage options accentuating the interior appeal of the car. Even the 2.0-litre engine technology has greatly contributed to the success of the car. Adding value to the already competent and leading SUV, comes the Automatic Captiva. The automatic transmission in the new Chevrolet that features a five-speed gearshift associated with the existing 2.0-litre diesel engine. Also, an adaptive AWD (All Wheel Drive) is mated to the new transmission system for better drivability and handling. The AWD features torque sensing electrically controlled couplings that are used for automatically re-directing the engine torque to individual axles with respect to the driving conditions. The new Automatic Captiva will rival leading SUVs like the Honda CR-V, Ford Endeavour and the Mitsubishi Outlander on Indian roads. Labels: Chevrolet-Captiva, Indian-car-market, SUV
Friday, 23 January 2009
The Indian car market is still struggling with credit crunch and is far away from making a complete comeback to revival. In this time of financial meltdown, it has become difficult for car manufacturers to sustain in the uncertain market condition. They are increasing prices across their respective car models to survive in the recession infected car market. Leading players like Maruti Suzuki, Toyota, General Motors, and Honda have already announced a hike in their car prices nullifying the discounts offered earlier in response to the excise benefits. For a long time car manufacturers have absorbed significant level of cost escalation. But now, none of them are able to intake them depreciating their own profit margins. Even Mercedes-Benz is not able to face the challenge posed to the company's margins and decided to raise prices of its entire car models available in the Indian market. The decision to increase car prices is purely against an unavoidable pressure from the combined effect of global recession, fluctuating input prices, and adverse exchange rates. Till now, the rate of hike has not been decided by the company but it’s confirmed that the increased prices will be effective from mid-February. Labels: Car-prices, Indian-car-market, Mercedes-Cars
Till date we have witnessed the advent of various new car technologies in the Indian car market. Now it’s time to welcome world's first networking system between your car and the service centre. Performance Motors Ltd., an authorized BMW distributor, has introduces its innovative technology called BMW TeleServices in the car market. Interestingly, this technology utilizes wireless communication between a BMW car and the BMW service centre. There is a continuous transmission of service-related information between the two. Almost 70 control units in the car monitor all crucial elements and ensure proper and smooth running of the car. If in case, the control unit detects any fault, a toll free call to the service centre is automatically initiated without any intervention of the driver. Further for the convenience of car owners and to reduce servicing time, customer care executives from the BMW service centre call car owners to fix service appointment and discuss about all the repairs required. Whether it’s an accident, an emergency breakdown, or a fixed appointment, you don’t need to remember the service appointments or worry about inconvenience at the roadside in case of a breakdown because with the new BMW TeleServices, your car will automatically do these jobs. All BMW lovers can have the opportunity to use this interesting innovation in the recently launched all-new BMW 7-Series. Labels: BMW-Cars, Indian-car-market
Monday, 19 January 2009
Low-cost car are the latest hum in the Indian car market amid rising air pollution, traffic congestion, and fuel prices. Mobility has been redefined by Indian populace from the fuel guzzling SUVs to fuel efficient small cars. Small cars being economical and safe meet all the needs and demands of car buyers. Seeing the wind of change in the market, many car manufacturers are walking along with the new trend carrying the conscience of small concept. Following the suit, Fiat has also announced its plan to introduce a global low-cost car by 2010 and for this project India would be one of the key hubs for providing car components to the company. The brand will tap the experience of its Indian partner, Tata Motors, to get a clear picture of the kind of effort it needs to put in for establishing this venture. Tata Motors being the manufacturer of world’s cheapest car may help Fiat for implementation of this plan. It is believed that the low-cost car will be rolled out of the Tata-Fiat's Ranjangaon plant near Pune with all localized auto components. After the launch of its scintillating mid-sized car the Linea, Fiat has made a perfect decision by planning a low-cost car in the cost cognisant and green era. This new car will further help the company to get a better hold of the Indian car market. Labels: Fiat-India, Indian-car-market, Small-Cars
Car manufactures are not restricting themselves from introducing new cars in the car market despite of being badly affected by the slowdown. They are rather banking upon new car launches to propel their car sales figure towards positive scale. Around 50 new car models are likely to hit the market in 2009. Many car manufactures believes that new cars with upgraded features and fresh look will help to infuse the zeal among car buyers to own these cars. With this view in mind, car manufactures are planning to launch more new cars in the market. Experts also think that new cars launches will aid to smoke away the prevailing depression in the industry triggered by global recession. Recently, the new models like the Fiat Linea, Mahindra Xylo and the all-new Sonata Transform had made their grand entry in the car market. Now Mahindra is ready with its plans to roll out a portfolio of 10 new car models in the Indian car market. The count not only includes passenger cars but also commercial vehicles and low tonnage vehicles (LTV). All the cars are to be built on a specified platform designed on the basis of size, strength, and body construction. The company has also revealed its interest to launch a new SUV by 2010. Following this would be three to four car models designed and manufactured on the same platform. A couple of models are expected to be designed on that Xylo platform as well. Hope these proposed new cars be able to ignite a spark of revolution with their modern designs and features fulfilling the high-end need of the changing generation. Labels: Indian-car-market, Mahindra-and-Mahindra, New-Car-Launch
Friday, 16 January 2009
Volkswagen has proved its brand position in the Indian car market with the flagship model Jetta, a car that is admired for its excellent quality, drivability, and performance. This high-end beauty on wheels has been recently honoured with the title of 'Executive Car of the Year 2009' by the Indian automotive magazine, Autocar India. Autocar's awards are widely accepted and considered as a benchmark for excellence in India. People related to automobile industry including consumers, car manufacturers, and auto experts recognize Autocar awards as the most trusted word on automobiles. The Jetta has experienced a successful presence in the country winning hearts of Indian car buyers. You would be amazed to know that since the inception of Jetta in India in July 2008, the company has successfully sold 1,000 Jettas. This high number within a few months and at a time when the Indian car market was severely hit by recession is mind blowing. There were sixteen cars and eight bikes that were nominated for the award. But the award was bestowed on the Jetta. And there is nothing strange in it. This great car having global standards with respect to all automotive aspects suitably deserves this respected award. Labels: Car-Manufacturer, Indian-car-market, Volkswagen-Jetta
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