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Monday, 1 June 2009
Toyota Puts F1 Parts for Sale
For the first time in the history of Formula One racing, a participant team has put its wares up for sale. So far, Formula One fans could flaunt their love for the game through merchandise like T-shirts, Caps, Key chains, and other kinds of apparel. Now Toyota Motors has put up a lot of high tech parts from its past racing cars for sale. Toyota has been participating in F1 races for over three decades. The Toyota Motorsports team regularly takes part in Formula One Race, NASCAR, IndyCar, ChampCar, Sports car racing, and other car rallies. The high tech auto parts for sales include carbon fiber wings, brakes, light alloy wheels, and several other parts. They are all marketed through a special Toyota website. The auto parts costs from Rs 13,000 to Rs 3,34,000. The parts available at the cheaper end are usually wheels, brake discs, and suspension parts at prices starting from Rs 15,000. The front and the rear wing assemblies are available at prices between Rs 54,000 to Rs 1,52,000. Toyota is also offering complete rear wing, engine cover, and the underbody section which is virtually half the car. These are sold at prices starting from Rs 3,34,000 – currently available only on first come first serve basis. This will be the biggest bonanza for motorsports fans across the world. No other company including Formula One staples like McLaren, Ferrari, BMW, Honda, and Mercedes have attempted this kind of campaign yet. These companies have always sobered the F1 technologies to meet the needs of production cars. Toyota has gone where no other F1 team has gone before- reaching the people through their F1 technologies. The sale of F1 car parts comes as no surprise to many Toyota enthusiasts as Toyota recently pulled away its Fuji Speedway race track from the Japanese Grand Prix and is considering closing down all its F1 circuits completely. Labels: Car-Racing, Formula-One-cars, Toyota
Wednesday, 8 April 2009
F1 Malaysian Car Race
Formula 1’s second race which was held in Malaysia got victory to the Brawn GP with the Jenson Button taking away the first position. The victory is commendable as despite the stormy and unpredictable shower, the car which never raced in rain before had taken every for surprise. The second position was taken by Nick Heidfeld of BMW where Timo Glockas of Toyota came in the third position. However, Rubens Barrichello of Brawn GP came in the fifth position. Due to the impulsive weather, the car race had to come to an end with only completing 31 laps. The last time I remember when rain hit the race was in 2002 during Australian grand prix. As the race had to stop at the 31st lap, the winner was awarded only half the points than actual. With new regulation he race has to complete at least 75 percent for the participants to get complete point which is also why, one or two of the participant’s total point reflect a .5. Hope in the next race which will be held in China on 19th of April would complete all its laps with out any hindrance from the nature. Labels: BMW, Brawn GP, Car-Race, Formula 1, Toyota
Monday, 16 March 2009
New Innova Drives Toyota
The new Innova is significantly contributing in accelerating the business of Toyota in India.The refreshed version of the Innova introduced in January 2009 with modest cosmetic changes in exteriors and interiors drives the sales of Toyota. It was introduced with the aim to provide its customers all that they aspire. The car manufacturer had brilliantly used unmatched expertise and experience to design the innovative ‘Innova’ to drive car enthusiasts with a powerful sensation. Since the time the new Innova has launched, the car has recorded sales of 3,647 cars. It’s really unbelievable to record such high numbers in about less than two months. This shows the impact the innovation in Innova has done on car buyers. Some significant car features that drove the sales of this new car are automated climate control, new steering control, and multi- information display. When the car was launched, Toyota was sure of its success and today the sales number proves the significance of the car in its product portfolio. Infact, it exceeds the company’s expectations from the new Innova. Labels: Innova, New-Car-Launch, Toyota
Friday, 6 February 2009
Toyota and General Motors Eye on Indian Market
 Competition among car manufacturers is aggressively growing with the expanding car industry. Every car manufacturer is planning something innovative and unique to seize the top position in the car industry.
The iron is getting hotter between Toyota and General Motors. This year Toyota surpasses General Motors in sales and victoriously snatched the title of World’s top car manufacturer from the company. Now, when General Motors announced to bring the luxury car brand Cadillac to India, Toyota is silently planning to introduce Land Cruiser diesel model in the country. This SUV is one of the most popular cars from Toyota will be cruised to India as completely built unit and is likely to carry a heavy price tag of around Rs 40 Lakh. With the diesel version, Land Cruiser is presently undergoing the new import rules and regulations. Toyota’s Fortuner is also on cards for Indian market that will be locally built. So, car buyers can expect an affordable price tag that is speculated to fall within the range of Rs 18- 20 Lakh. It seems that both the top car manufacturers are implementing all possible strategies to grab a pie of the luring Indian car market. Let’s watch and see who wins the race! Labels: General-Motors, Luxury-Car, Toyota
Monday, 8 September 2008
Here Comes the New Corolla Altis
The competition in the Indian car market has made the going tough for every car manufacturer. All auto majors are on the verge of rolling out new cars and this time its time for the famed Toyota. Finally, the New Toyota Corolla Altis makes its debut in the Indian car market. The car will create a completely new market in the C segment. The new Corolla Altis is powered by a 1.8L engine churning out around 140bhp. The new car is ardently designed with elegant and styling features. The car's body is slightly lower than the existing Corolla and taller than Honda Civic. Some of the most enticing features of the new Altis are automatic transmission with sequential shift, 8-way power driver seat with power lumbar support, cruise control; steering wheel mounted audio controls and choice of luxurious leather upholstery. Priced between Rs 10.83 lakh and Rs 12.86 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), the Corolla Altis is available in three grades of petrol version. So, wake up Toyota fans, its time for you to drive your new Corolla. Labels: Car-Manufacturer, Indian-car-market, New-Cars, Toyota, Toyota- Corolla-Altis
Friday, 6 June 2008
One More Hybrid Car to Hit Indian Roads
The Indian car market does not have any hybrid cars as of now though they have been around for over two decades in the US and Europe. Hybrid cars consume less fuel and have lower emission levels. Despite all these merits, they have not been popular with the masses because of their exorbitant prices. But now hybrids have become hot favourites with the issue of global warming and energy consumption.
After Honda’s announcement of a launch of the Civic Hybrid in India, the world’s No. 1 hybrid car Toyota Prius is set to arrive too. Prius is the most fuel efficient car in the US. The car is likely to be available at a price tag of Rs 18-20 Lakh.
Labels: Honda, hybrid cars, Toyota
Monday, 12 May 2008
Toyota Splits India Operations
India is becoming big on the global map. It is not about geographical dimensions but the consumer power. The consumerism of cars is getting bigger and more global brands are arriving every day. The car companies which came first have grown in size. One such company is Toyota which came to India in 1996. They brought with them one of their cheap utility vehicles for a market that was ready to gobble it up quickly. The company now wants to get bigger and better. So, it has planned to split its current Indian operations, jointly carried out with Kirloskar. The two new companies will have different roles – one will manufacture and the other will market, while being completely independent of each other. This split will herald a new chapter for car companies in India. Labels: India operation, Toyota
Thursday, 10 April 2008
Toyota to go ‘small’ by 2010
Toyota will be rolling out its small car in the Indian market by 2010 and they plan to invest in a new plant at Bangalore with a capacity of 100 thousand units. Toyota’s small car will not only be sold in India but will also be exported to overseas markets.
Toyota’s idea of a small car for India came after the sudden boom in the small car segment. Presently, Toyota competes in the Indian premium car sedan segment with the Corolla and Camry models and has an SUV Land Cruiser Prado. Labels: new car plant, small cars, Toyota
Tuesday, 25 March 2008
Toyota will launch Lexus cars in India
Indian auto industry is undoubtedly becoming a hottest hub for global players. Launching of new luxury cars, SUVs and sedans have become common these days in India by foreign car manufacturers like BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz in collaboration with Indian car manufacturers. Now, Toyota has joined this bandwagon by announcing the launch of Lexus cars in India. Lexus brands have already captured the luxury car market globally and became hit all over the world including USA. Lexus is highest selling global marquee and will reach the Indian market through Toyota. Lexus cars are crafted with elegant design, powerful engines and superb interiors to woo people to buy these brands in India. Toyota does not want to release any of the Lexus brands in hurry but will take at least a year to launch them. It will launch LS 450 sedan first and later on LX 470 SUV. Surely, slow and steady wins the game! Labels: Auto market competition, Lexus brands, luxury cars, Luxury sedan, new car launch, Toyota
Wednesday, 5 March 2008
Luxury cars to get tested in India
With global car manufacturers moving to India, luxury car makers like BMW, Nissan, Toyota, and Honda are now seeking the government’s assistance to test their cars in India. The manufacturers want to test their cars for durability and performance in Asian markets.
India is one of the most diverse environments in the world ranging from very hot to very cold, which makes it a suitable base for not only manufacturing cars and other vehicles, but also for vehicle testing, which was earlier confined to the European Alps and American deserts. These changes will not only bring in further employment opportunities, but also help manufacturers customize luxury cars to suit Indian roads and Indian drivers instead of just importing tweaked and often completely revamped cars. Labels: BMW, luxury cars, Toyota, Vehicle performance testing
Friday, 29 February 2008
Toyota should bring in small cars
Toyota has had a long successful run in India since its arrival. I am surprised that even though small cars constitute to a major percentage of the Indian auto market share, Toyota has not ventured into this segment in India. Toyota has a partnership with Daihatsu Motors, which is a leading mini car manufacturer in Japan and Toyota holds 51 percent stakes in this partnership. Toyota’s products have usually been universally accepted. Even the SUV Qualis (which I really thought was a Tin Drum) was in high demand when its production stopped at the Indian plant. Maybe India will get a taste of Japan’s favourite small cars in the near future. After all, Indian narrow roads and crowded streets will make these small cars feel perfectly at home! Article Submitted by KnowAutos Labels: New Car, Small car market in India, SUVs, Toyota
Thursday, 21 February 2008
Toyota has opened a used car outlet in Delhi
Now-a-days, there’s a great demand for used cars in India. It’s difficult to figure out the exact reason for this. It’s most probably because cars have now become very affordable to most middle class families. Small cars like Maruti 800, Chevrolet Spark, and Santro Xing are available at very attractive prices. To be able to buy new cars and better cars, people are selling off their old cars without giving much thought to the actual re-sale value of the car. This has led to a rise in the used car business. It has turned out to be very lucrative business.
Many car manufacturers are cashing in on this trend. Maruti came out with their TrueValue service some time back. Hyundai called their business “Hyundai Exchange”. Now, Toyota has started its own used car outlet in New Delhi. They are calling it “U Trust”. They are looking forwarding to helping people pick-up good used cars at minimal prices and are also providing financing options as a value-added service. Labels: Hyundai, Maruti, new cars, old cars, second hand cars, Toyota, Used cars
Wednesday, 13 February 2008
Quality should be Priority!
I was happy to read that Indian goods are more agreeable to the western market consumers than Chinese stuff. I hope this extends to cars made in India as well. I went to Malaysia for a trip and my gang of friends had this Toyota Qualis pick us up. I didn’t get a look at the name of the SUV when I was getting in, but the ride was so comfortable and spacious that I looked at the name tag at the back and it said Qualis! This model was NOT like the tin cup we get in India. This made me realize that India is still treated to low-quality products. Indian car manufacturers have received little support from big players before, but the fast growing economy has made foreigners look at Indian companies seriously. Today, it is Mahindra and Tata Motors that are slowly penetrating these foreign markets. I wish that these guys start manufacturing international standard products like Maruti is trying to do and then sell these quality products within India as well. Prices be damned – I want quality for a change! Article submitted by SwamiLabels: Car market competition, Mahindra, Maruti, Quality of car products in India, Tata, Toyota
Friday, 8 February 2008
Toyota Answers My Green Prayers!
I read so many articles about environment pollution due to increasing number of vehicles on Indian roads and like so many others I blamed car manufacturers for not showing any concern towards this grave issue. However, I found myself in the wrong. Very recently, I attended Toyota India’s 10th anniversary celebration attended by high-profile personalities and auto big-wigs. As the function progressed, Katsuaki Watanabe, President of Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) in India shared his views. He revealed that Toyota cars have always tried to use eco-friendly engines and that they will have hybrid technology implemented in almost all their cars in the next few years to reduce the pollution levels in India. Toyota wants to harmonize the cycle of Industry with the cycles of nature according to their Global Vision 2020. Today, I am quite relieved to know that there are some car manufacturers like Toyota who are committed and are seriously making efforts to protect our environment. And in my effort to support them; I will be first in-queue when these Hybrid cars are launched. Article Submitted by TK NairLabels: Hybrid eco-friendly cars, Hybrid technology, Hybrids in India, Toyota
Friday, 1 February 2008
Hurrah for Green Cars - Ethanol can get cheaper!
I just read that the oil ministry has decided to give Ethanol a declared goods status, which means that its cost could go down compared to its current cost of Rs 28 per litre. I have been following up the news about the launch of the Hybrid green cars that Honda and Toyota are suppose to launch this year. Naturally, I am an eco-friendly guy and I like the idea of my kids growing up in greener city than what I get to see now!
Ethanol is the favoured fuel for these hybrid green cars and if this policy goes through, then ethanol will become the cheapest fuel for cars. So, like nowadays, Diesel cars cost more than Petrol cars because diesel is cheaper than petrol, similarly these Hybrid cars may be the most expensive of the lot, but the fuel and daily expenditure on the car will be comparatively the least. These green cars keep sounding better and better! Labels: Environment friendly cars, Honda, hybrid cars, Toyota
Thursday, 31 January 2008
Hydrogen-driven vehicles to be tested
The government should stress on research for Hydrogen vehicles. Hydrogen is abundantly available in the world. Harnessing this energy for vehicle consumption will free the world not only from pollution but also the green house gases. The Scandinavian country, Norway, will be testing Hydrogen-powered vehicles sometime this summer under the project named ‘Hynor’. The test will be conducted over a 580 km route from the national capital Oslo and Stavanger. The cars will be supplied by the Japanese car manufacturer, Mazda Motor Corporation. Other car makers who are already researching in this field are Honda Motors and Toyota; both of these manufacturers have already churned out successful Hybrid cars. If the project becomes a success, then such tests can be conducted worldwide and replicated. This will ensure a greener tomorrow for the future generation and Indian car manufacturers should start thinking about developing these factions in their upcoming R&D facilities. Article submitted by Rajiv ShuklaLabels: Honda, hybrid cars, Submitted Article, Toyota
Tuesday, 25 December 2007
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
Friday, 21 December 2007
Birthday Blast for Prius
World’s first mass produced hybrid car Toyota Prius celebrates its 10th anniversary this month. It indeed is a time for celebration! Prius’ immense popularity since its introduction in 1997 encouraged Toyota to develop hybrid variants of other models as well. It even went one step further by adding hybrid technology to its luxury brand ‘Lexus’. The reason for worldwide acceptance of hybrid technology has been its eco-friendly nature and low running costs. At this anniversary of the Prius, Toyota boasts of having made the world cleaner by selling nearly a million such cars. Truly, the Prius has brought joy to many. A 2007 J.D. Power and Associates UK Customer Satisfaction Survey rated Prius a “top-ranked individual mode”. After a decade of its existence, Prius still remains a leader in the hybrid car segment. Kudos to the much-celebrated car on its birthday! We hope to see hybrid cars on our roads very soon. We are eagerly awaiting a Civic Hybrid model from Honda in the coming year. It has already made an announcement regarding the model. Labels: hybrid cars, Toyota
Friday, 7 December 2007
Goodwill Hunting
All efforts to creation of goodwill through corporate social responsibility activities go a long way in marketing and eventually sale of the products, according to a recent study. During the survey nearly 80 percent of Indian’s said that they would go for car makers who create employment opportunities in India and have environment friendly policies. Maruti got loads of praises for its high quality vehicles provided at low cost and its effort towards job creation in India. It was also appreciated for bringing in international brands, in joint venture with Japanese car maker Suzuki, at the same time of their international launch. The automotive sector as a whole was lauded for job creation and employee satisfaction efforts. However the survey revealed that the automobile companies need to do more for environment conservation. Reading the blogs here, it appears that GM, Honda, Toyota, and many others are planning to do just that. Article submitted by Rajesh SawantLabels: corporate social responsibilty, Environment friendly cars, Expansion in Indian auto industry, GM, Honda, Maruti, Suzuki, Toyota
Friday, 23 November 2007
China doesn’t lure auto world anymore, India does!
Buying a car is no more a luxury for Indians, it’s a necessity. For the global automotive industry, China is now a passé, India grabs all their attention. Last year, car sales in India totaled in 1.1 million with compact hatchbacks accounting for nearly three quarter of that. Time for Maruti, Tata, or Mahindra to pull up their socks, foreign automakers like Nissan, Hyundai, and Renault are aiming big in India. A recent auto survey says that the car market in India is growing at an average of 20 percent a year, outpacing even China. Nissan already made its entry to the Indian market with Renault SA of France and Indian automaker Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd and sold its Logan like hot cakes early this year. Japan’s carmakers are not behind in this race, the biggies like Toyota and Honda have already pronounced their presence here loudly. Maruti 800, Alto, or Santro says small car is always a big hit in India. Incited by Tata's super-cheap People’s Car next year, Nissan and Renault are projecting a car that may sell for as little as $2,500. And now India’s two-wheeler giant Bajaj and Renault are discussing the possibilities of ultra inexpensive cars. With this pace, bicycle and two wheelers may look like extinct products of the auto world. Labels: Bajaj, Car competition, Car manufacturers in India, Honda, Hyundai, Mahindra, Mahindra-Renault, Maruti, Nissan, Renault, Tata, Toyota
Thursday, 22 November 2007
East or West, Maruti is the best
Ok, am sure that we all know Maruti Suzuki is the top leading automaker in India. It’s a pretty exciting fact that no matter where you go in India, you can see a Maruti vehicle. From the last seven years Maruti Suzuki is the top ranked in JD Power’s India Customer Satisfaction Index study. Continuing in the first position this year Maruti scored 838 points out of 1000 and the most interesting thing is that Maruti was the only carmaker to score more than the industry average of 777 points. According to the JD Power’s India Customer Satisfaction Index study the factors contributing to overall satisfaction are the percentage of problems experienced in a car, service quality, and the user friendly service. Take a look at the maintenance services that Maruti is providing. I would say it is truly instant, easily accessible, and affordable. Also the problems experienced in Maruti cars are less. I personally have the opinion that Maruti Services have a very user friendly attitude. The brands that follow Maruti in the ranking are Honda, Hyundai, Toyota, and Ford. These automakers scored 765, 745, 740, and 737 points respectively, making themselves fit in the top four positions after Maruti. Compared to last years score these automakers showed vast improvement in their scores. Honda, Skoda, and Hyundai showed the highest improvement. Labels: Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Indian car market, Maruti, Maruti Suzuki, Ratings on JD Customer Satisfaction Index, Skoda, Toyota
Monday, 19 November 2007
Is Toyota Vios a Good choice for Indians?
Toyota dreams about the launch of its Yaris style big sedan Vios in India. Probably Vios is the most expected car from Toyota in India. Toyota has exhibited its 3rd generation ‘Vios’ at the recently held Bangkok motor show. I got the impression it’s a more ‘rough’ version of the Toyota Yaris. It is expected to launch at the end of this year or the beginning of next year. Vios has an all in one look of different sedans. This 3rd generation Vios has the same dimensions as that of the Honda City. It has a look similar to that of the Corolla. At the same time it has a Camry-like front fascia. Vios looks large and wide from the front with a large grille and large headlamps. The rear has similar taillights to the Honda City. Most probably, in India, the Vios will be available with a 1.5 VVT-i engine that produces a power of 109 hp. However, since the City, Corolla, and Camry have already captured the luxury sedan market in India, will Indians show a big interest in Vios is still the big question. Labels: Car competition, Honda, Imported cars, Indian car market, Launch of new car in India, Luxury car segment, Toyota
Thursday, 15 November 2007
Honda hybrids on Indian roads?
Honda is in the news talking about its plans to launch the new Civic Hybrid in India. I liked the new commitment of Honda as it took a step to launch hybrids as a flagship model in India, coz most Indians do support eco-friendly movements. It makes sense with fuel prices up so much, but I was really taken by surprise when a series of hybrids decided to launch in a flurry – I mean take the Toyota Prius Hybrid for example. I am quite excited over some of these neat ideas coming to India that will probably make a significant turn in the market. At this point I assume Honda has a pretty good market in India. Honda has already captured our market with its ‘buyers choice’ City, ‘luxurious’ Civic, and the ‘ready to go’ CR-V. From what I’ve heard, it is speculated that the Honda hybrids will be launched after the launch of their new hatchback “ Jazz”. Even if the price of the hybrids remains unfixed, it is expected that the Honda Civic hybrid cars will cost about Rs. 20 Lakh in India, similar to the Toyota. We can definitely expect a race to start in this new segment with Honda and Toyota leading the pack. Article Submitted by Anand SanjeevLabels: Driving imported cars, Environment friendly engine, Growth in Indian auto industry, Honda, Hybrids, Toyota
Monday, 5 November 2007
Ford Fiesta to get a new look
Scheduled to be released sometime next year Ford is likely to facelift the Fiesta with a new look probably in the first quarter of 2008. Even with strong rivals such as Honda and Toyota, Ford is a rising hit in the Indian market. The Fiesta is a comfortably luxurious car that won Ford a record market in India. The Fiesta will get more and better standard features and a new exterior styling. Ford announced the Indian auto market as its first target. The global automaker gurus agree that the Indian vehicle market is the perfect place to compete. Definitely a right decision from Ford. The next Ford model to get a facelift is the Endeavour. Labels: Ford, Honda, Indian car market, Leading manufacturer, New Car, New look, Toyota
Wednesday, 31 October 2007
Pre-owned car industry to get a boom in India
What you say about used cars? How will it be if you buy a used Mitsubishi Lancer or a used Ford Icon and alter it with sporty designs? Will it look sporty if you put a nice spoiler on the rear of your car and cut short the ground clearance? Go Vroooom. The Indian youth needs more designs rather than the usual black or white or red. It’s time to get your dream cars in India’s used car market at an affordable price. The global auto majors are looking for potential buyers of their vehicles in India’s used car market. India’s used car market has had a lone voyager in Maruti and its TrueValue program. Now, Honda’s Auto Terrace, Toyota You Trust brand, Hyundai’s Hyundai Advantage, and Ford’s Ford Assured used car programs have entered the Indian car market. Statistics say that the used-car market counts for one million units across India. This industry is expected to grow bigger faster than in past years. Here is the current scenario of the pre-owned cars industry in India. Toyota’s You Trust venture is all set to roll out at leading dealerships across the country by October end 2007. Honda is ready with their new team trained to focus only on its used-car program called Auto Terrace. The company’s used-car program is currently running in a small way and is expected to be a success soon. Ford Assurance and Hyundai Advantage programs are also doing competitively well in the industry. Last, but definitely not the least, our car guru Maruti is at the top with more than 90,000 used cars units sold through its True Value network. Labels: Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Maruti Suzuki, Mitsubishi, Programs for used car sales, Toyota, Used car market in India, Used cars
Saturday, 27 October 2007
Plug-into Green Toyota Prius soon in India
There is no denying that the most successful hybrid car in the world is Toyota’s lucky number hybrid Prius. Toyota Prius have given Toyota a wonderful environmentally-friendly image. In the global market, Toyota is openly supportive for any "green" legislature. Rumors had indicated that Toyota Prius will soon be arriving India. Recently Toyota has confirmed that it could be the Prius Hybrid that the Japanese giant is thinking of releasing in India. The Toyota Prius is the best selling hybrid in the U.S. This Japanese automaker has already been committed to hybrid vehicles and its consistency has swept it to the top in the long list of auto manufacturers. Many brands have started to offer hybrid versions of vehicles with high fuel efficiency. It is hybrids that are the top choice over other types of fuel-efficient vehicles – thanks to Toyota. I had already done quite a bit of research on Prius and found high-end features like the CVT (continuously variable transmission) and the Hybrid Synergy Drive technology. So if you love green, the environment or your pocket, and are in India then hold your breath for a greener tomorrow! Prius will be sold with a sticker price of US $20,000, or nearly Rs. 8-Lakh – this is as good as it gets! Labels: Environment friendly engine, Growth in Indian auto industry, Hybrids, Imported cars, Indian car market, Launches in India, Leading manfacturer, Top of the auto industry, Toyota
Wednesday, 24 October 2007
Global players planning to test their vehicles in India
Global car manufacturers Honda, Toyota, Nissan, and BMW are negotiating with the NATRIP (National Automotive Testing and R&D Infrastructure Project) to benefit from testing the robustness and performance of their vehicles intended for the International market. NATRIP gives an exact picture of the performance of the vehicles invariable of climatic conditions. Testing costs are low in NATRIP compared to other vehicle testing agencies. As international car manufacturers are probing ways to make their products a success, testing cars in India will be one of them, because it costs significantly low. As piracy issues are thronging in China, companies think India is the best base to test their up-coming vehicles. NATRIP is planning to hire more brains for suggestions regarding the quality of equipments that need to be fitted in the future vehicles. The agency is also working hard to support the Indian component makers in the global markets. NATRIP has its centers in Chennai and Pune. With the growing demand, NATRIP is set to open branches in Indore, Silchar, and Rai Bareily. Labels: BMW, Honda, Imported cars, Indian auto testing unit, International auto market, NATRIP, Nissan, Toyota, Vehicle performance testing
Tuesday, 16 October 2007
Stay tuned to see Caparo T1 on Indian Roads!
Let’s hope for a new growth in Track car productions in India in the coming years. Caparo the company known for the T1 track car is developing a new small car for India. The UK based Caparo’s ‘city car’ would be licensed for production to other manufacturers in the local market in India. As global auto makers like Toyota, Honda, and General Motors have announced plans to launch a compact car in India; we can hope that one of these MNCs will franchise Caparo's city car for production in the Indian local market. Learning from manufacturers like Renault, Volkswagen, Volvo, and Fiat, Caparo too sees the value in an Indian foray with a partner to rationalize investments and get a head start for production, sales, & service. Caparo is in talks with multiple potential automakers for a possible alliance in India. The car that is under development in Caparo’s Chennai factory will find a new space in the heart of the hard core car racing enthusiasts. This T1 racing car is a high performance two-seater designed with the style and function that resembles a Formula One race car. T1 offers a lightweight body and chassis made out of advanced composite materials. The T1 will be showcased in India in Auto Expo 2008. Let’s wait till the show to experience the craftsmanship of Caparo. Labels: Fiat, General Motors, Honda, Imported cars, Indian car manufacturer, Indian car market, Mahindra-Renault, Manufacturing new car, Toyota, Track cars, Volkswagen, Volvo
Friday, 12 October 2007
Mercedes Viano MPV to run on Indian Roads
We’re already jealous that Europeans get all the good models of the Mercedes Benz before we do, but Mercedes will soon remedy this situation by launching the Viano for us. Yes, Mercedes has done it again and this is great news for those planning to pick up a high-end luxury cab from Mercedes. Hey the multi purpose luxury cab looks truly innovative, I must say! Mercedes quoted Viano for Rs. 45 Lakh. If you are thinking about other luxury cabs available in India, I don’t think you are going to have a deja-vu in Viano. Inside Viano you can walk around and change the seating positions as per your convenience. Yeah, it might look like a crazy thing to say, but it’s true. The van has 8 seats with a sliding track mechanism that allows you to choose legroom space according to your need. In India Viano has a cheaper competitor, the Toyota Innova that is available at a prize of below 10 Lakh. However, Mercedes is a class apart! So, all you Mercedes fans, you can stop reading right now and put the Viano in your 2008 wish list. Labels: Cars in India, Imported cars, Indian car market, Launches in India, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota
Tuesday, 9 October 2007
Maruti Swift Sedan to run on Indian roads soon
India’s auto major, Maruti, is very keen to launch the sedan built on the Swift platform. This sedan is expected to hit Indian roads in the month of January next year and would compete with its own sibling, the SX4. Not only this, Maruti Suzuki is also planning to pose a tough tiff to manufacturers like Skoda and Honda with models like Splash, Kizashi, and Jimny. According to the source closely associated with the company, the making of Esteem is almost taken a back-seat. The new Swift sedan will be priced less than the SX4 and is expected in two variants – a 1.3L multi-jet diesel engine and a 1.3L petrol engine. The diesel variant is built keeping in mind Tata’s Indica and Indigo and Hyundai’s diesel cars. Maruti has also asked its suppliers to be ready to supply machinery needed for this mega project. Recently, Maruti unveiled a concept car Kizashi at the Frankfurt motor show, which is said to make its second appearance at the Tokyo Motor Show very soon. It is designed to compete with the A4 segment cars from other manufacturers like Honda, Toyota, and Skoda. Kizashi is expected to come with a price tag of 10-12 lakh. Labels: car manufacturers, Honda, Hyundai, Indian car market, launch in India, Maruti, Skoda, Tata, Toyota
Wednesday, 3 October 2007
It is raining city cars in India
UK’s Caparo is all-set to design a city car that would hit Indian roads in a couple of years from now. The company will only design the model and the permit to manufacture the car will be given to a selected manufacturer in the country. According to a company release, it is learnt that the designing of this more efficient and amalgamated material car takes at-least two years. The manufacturer is working with the same team that designed the light weight Caparo T1 racing car. Caparo’s focus is to design a light-weight car that can jostle in the city like a feather. Much of the designing work is said to happen in the company’s Chennai plant. This light-weight city car is said to be high on mileage and low on emissions. Caparo’s city car will make its first official appearance at next year’s Auto Expo show in Delhi. Global players - GM, Honda, and Toyota have planned to launch their city cars at the same time. Labels: Chevrolet, City cars, competition, Honda, launch in India, Toyota
Tuesday, 11 September 2007
Toyota to enter India’s small car market battle
Most auto majors are getting ready for a close fight in the small car segment in India. Toyota is also planning to target the Indian small car market for its imported small car. Toyota’s largest small-car market competitor in India will be Maruti Suzuki, which markets cars like the Zen Estilo, WagonR, and Alto. Toyota is the last to announce its entry into the small car market in India. The years 2008 and 2009 will reveal more of Toyota’s plans. For the time being, it is apparent that since Toyota is currently the last entrant, it may use the latest technologies and a plethora of features to lure car lovers across India. Labels: car manufacturers, Indian car market, small cars, Toyota
Tuesday, 26 June 2007
Eco-friendly Cars
Lately, automobile manufacturers are concentrating more on introducing eco-friendly cars. Making use of natural fuels like ethanol, compressed gas, natural gas, and bio-diesel leaves the environment free of contamination. These natural fuels can also save us from importing petroleum products. The success of eco-friendly cars in foreign countries has made prominent car manufacturers think of launching more such models in India. The environment friendly car launched by General Motors in California is known as Hy-wire and looks more like a child’s car, but performs really well. The main aspect of so called hybrid cars is retaining and preserving nature. The usage of these fuels also make the efficiency of the engine last longer, because it does not leave any residue in the carburetor, which bothers many car owners. These environment-friendly fuels enable the vehicle to run smoothly and with considerable power. India’s first eco-friendly car, Maini Reva, has long back hit the Indian roads. Though it is seen very rarely on the roads, it really saves the environment and the pocket. This is an electric passenger car, which makes use of a battery and leaves the atmosphere free of pollutants like carbon-di-oxide and smoke. This peppy car moves skillfully on city roads. However, on the flip side, its performance and speed drops considerably on roads with ditches and potholes. Reva with all its standard equipments turns out quiet expensive. It can afford to seat only two comfortably with the rear space much suited to fill shopping bags. The manufacturers seem to have concentrated more on saving the environment and not much on its reliability. The Reva leaves a lot to be desired. Seeing the growth of Reva on Indian roads, Toyota Motors is planning to launch their version of the eco-friendly car 'Prius'. Hybrid eco-friendly cars are selling like hot-cakes all over the globe and the sales statistics are expected to rise further if the Indian automobile sector can also be captured. Compared to the facilities offered, these cars are pricey. These cars use a battery to move on and, when completely charged, it can travel for 60 kilometers. However, once the car is bought, it is extremely economical. It is best suited as a second car that helps you move around within city limits. Labels: Hybrid eco-friendly cars, Maini Reva, Toyota
Monday, 26 March 2007
Big players into small games
With growing cities and shrinking space on roads, there has been a change in the people’s choice of car body styles. While there is a segment of people who still prefer to drive big cars, an increasing number of people are opting for the good, old hatchbacks. The hatch is a two box style, occupy lesser space as compared to a sedan, but have too many pluses on their side. In India, three out of every four cars sold are hatchbacks and India has now become the third largest producer of hatchbacks. Even the Indian Government is encouraging the production of hatchbacks by giving away tax incentives. However, the Government has set some norms for the production of small cars. Their size should be less than four meters and they should conform to the emission norms.
While Maruti 800, Swift, Wagon R and Zen from Maruti, the biggest car-makers in the country, are some hatchbacks which have ruled the Indian roads. Hyundai Santro and Getz have also created their space in the car market. However, the market for hatchbacks in the country is going to see some new BIG entrants very soon. Even the big automakers realize the potential for hatchbacks in the Indian car market and are trying to tap it. Skoda, so far known for manufacturing luxury cars, is soon going to launch its hatchback, the Skoda Fabia in India by the end of 2007. Even though the exteriors of the car are not very classy, the interiors look very impressive. The first thing that will draw your attention is the ample space in the cabin as well as the rear seats. The best feature of this car is that despite being a hatchback, it is very spacious. With Skoda, Honda is also going to join the hatchback bandwagon. So far known for its premium, luxury sedans, Honda is also planning to launch a hatchback in India in 2-3 years. This car has been designed keeping in mind the Indian car market and Indian car drivers. Still undergoing development, this car will be launched in India before its launch in other countries. That is indication enough of how automakers are focusing on the Indian car market. General Motors, the world’s largest producer of cars, also plans to increase its share in India, by three times to 10 percent by the end of the decade. GM sells its Chevrolet U-VA hatchback in India. Toyota has also joined the fray with Honda and GM, planning to make inroads into the Indian hatchback market. Toyota has plans to launch the Toyota Aygo in India soon, which is a hit in Europe. There are reports that Volkswagen might also launch a small, compact car in India. The car could be in the M800 range. Reports are rife that the automaker has started reviewing its models to be introduced in the country. The company has already indicated that the car to be launched will be based on the Polo platform in India and would take on competition from other hatchbacks. Labels: Chevrolet, Hatchbacks, Hyundai, Maruti, Skoda, Toyota, Volkswagen
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